On April 26th and 27th, ROUTES Scholars attended the Northeast Superfund Research Program (NE SRP) Training Workshop, hosted by PROTECT (Puerto Rico Test site for Exploring Contamination Threats) and the SRPs from Boston University and Dartmouth College. At this workshop, they had the opportunity to network with trainees from NEU, BU, and Dartmouth, as well as hear guest speakers discussing career development in the environmental health sciences.
The first day’s events focused on the theme of “Communicating Your Science.” The first guest speaker was Mark Smith, Acting Director of the Office of Research & Standards for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. He delivered an in-depth talk about the years of effort that led to reductions in mercury emissions in New England and Canada, and the effects this has already had on local fish populations
After lunch, Michael Alley and Pennsylvania State University spoke about Effective Graphics and Oral Presentations, and Amy Kostant—Executive Director of the Science Communication Network—spoke about Communicating Science to the Public and rethinking the design and content of the research poster. The day concluded with an overview of Northeastern’s innovative new Integrated Science and Engineering Center.
ROUTES Scholars rejoined the trainees on the second day for the final session, a panel discussion aimed at promoting a greater understanding of Trainee and Career Initiation Grants. Panelists included Britton Goodale, Postdoctoral Fellow at Dartmouth SRP; Neel Aluru, BU SRUP Alum currently at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute; and Birgit Claus Henn, Assistant Professor in Environmental Health at BU.
Throughout the workshop, ROUTES Scholars had the opportunity to interact with graduate students, postdoctoral candidates, and the professors and guest speakers who also attended. These meetings provided a glimpse into other research and scientific fields that are encompassed by Environmental Health.
Visit our Google page to see photos of the event.