Greta Frey, MPH student in Environmental and Occupation Health and Safety, OSU College of Public Health and Human Sciences
My name is Greta Frey. I grew up in Boise, Idaho and completed my undergraduate work at OSU in Public Health. I am a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz of Siletz, Oregon and the Aleut Corporation of Anchorage, Alaska. I was the Diabetes Program Assistant for the Siletz Community Health Clinic.
I had the opportunity to do research at the University of Utah through the National Institute of Health’s Native American Research Internship. I was the research assistant for the Lung Health Research Center where we were investigating the immediate relationship of ambient air quality and signs of inflammation and oxidative stress in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Environmental health research in a clinical setting (University of Utah) truly changed my perspective of public health.
I am interested in the relationship between air quality, the health of our environment and what preventative efforts can be contributed to remain a vital and healthy community.
I love to mountain bike, backpack, explore new places, and whitewater kayak. I look forward to meeting you.
[The post is adapted from a story in the October 2014 issue of NIEHS Environmental Factor – written by Sara Mishamandani, research and communication specialist for MDB Inc., a contractor for the NIEHS Superfund Research Program and Division of Extramural Research and Training]
A tool to educate K-8 students about mercury in the environment and its effects on human health is now online, thanks to a collaboration between the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) at Oregon State University (OSU), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the London School in Cottage Grove, Oregon.
The cooperative project was the first pilot for the Partners in Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), launched with the London School, located near the Black Butte Mine Superfund site in rural Cottage Grove, about 70 miles south of the university. The EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation initiated the technical assistanceprogram in 2013 to help communities affected by Superfund sites understand technical information and to enable meaningful community involvement in the Superfund decision-making process.
During a Black Butte Mine community information session, London School principal Laurie Briggs requested that EPA create materials to teach students about the nearby abandoned mine, where mercury and other contamination from mine waste affect creeks that flow into the nearby Cottage Grove Lake and the Coast Fork Willamette River. Listen to Laurie share about the project.
Putting environmental health into context
The educational package Mercury, the Community, and Me is available online as modules for K-8 teachers. The activities help connect students to the environment by defining environmental health, providing an overview of mercury and how it enters the environment and the food chain, and delivering information about mercury and human health. The resources include background information, presentations, worksheets, videos, games, and team assignments.
Two videos are also part of the curriculum. One provides more information about the Black Butte Mine Superfund site, including its historical background. The other introduces students to careers in science, highlighting scientists from the university and EPA. View the videos.
Fostering collaboration and engaging stakeholders
“EPA has a strong commitment to ensure that communities living near Superfund sites are informed and have opportunities to meaningfully engage in EPA actions to protect human health and the environment. This is a model educational project and partnership with OSU, London School, and EPA that brings together environmental health science, local history, and a Superfund site.”
~ Alanna Conley, EPA Region 10 Superfund Community Involvement Coordinator
“The excellent work done by the OSU SRP in collaboration with EPA and the London School in Cottage Grove demonstrates how the pilot PTAP can bring expertise and resources into communities near Superfund sites to meet technical assistance needs and enhance overall community restoration and cleanup.”
~ Melissa Dreyfus, lead for the EPA Headquarters PTAP Pilot
“The PTAP project provided a structure to build relationships with EPA Region 10 and impact a community living near a Superfund site. The final products also included contributions from our SRP trainees. We hope the educational resources are models for other schools and future partnerships.”
~ Naomi Hirsch, OSU SRP Research Translation Core coordinator
The project has been well received, featured and shared widely on EPA social media platforms. In addition, the project was presented via a webinar to EPA Region 10 personnel.
The Project Team from left Diana Rohlman (OSU SRP CEC), Alanna Conley (EPA, Region 10), Dan Sudakin (OSU SRP RTC), Laura Briggs (London School Principal), Naomi Hirsch (OSU SRP RTC). Not pictured: Corey Fisher and Molly Kile (OSU SRP CEC), Melissa Dreyfus (EPA Headquarters Superfund Community Involvement Program), Kira Lynch, (EPA Region 10, Science and Tech Liaison), and Richard Muza (Region 10 – Black Butte Mine, Project Manager)
OHSU students join Oregon Health Authority and Oregon DEQ as they get ready to paddle
Dr. Dave Stone, co-leader of the Research Translation Core, paddled in the Portland Harbor Superfund Site as part of an innovative educational event designed for Preventative Medicine students at Oregon Health and Science University.
Approximately fifteen MD/MPH and Medical Toxicology students attended the tour in which Dr. Stone and representatives from the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, discussed issues related to Portland Harbor and environmental health. Dr. Stone highlighted risks associated with PAHs in the sediment, as well as persistent pollutants in fish tissue.
The tour began at the iconic St. John’s Bridge and continued to some of the most PAH polluted PAH in the Harbor. Dr. Stone discussed the on-going research and activities of OSU’s Superfund Research Program and how it relates to Portland Harbor and public health.
Paddling in the harborSt. John’s Bridge canoesFish advisory at the site
This year the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is focusing the PEPH meeting on Environmental Health Literacy (EHL).
An added feature this year are Watch Parties, so those not attending the meeting in person can gather with others, watch the meeting presentations, and have discussions. Our SRP will be hosting some Watch Parties for the live streaming (we are unable to watch other presentations live due to the time difference). All are welcome!
Recordings are available for viewing between September 25 and September 30. Please contact Naomi Hirsch if you are interested in viewing a recording and the time you are available. Choose from any of the presentations listed below.
Watch Party Schedule
Monday, Sept 22nd in ALS Building room 1019
8:10 a.m. – 9:30 am Live
Culturally Appropriate Communication: Development of Indigenous Health Indicators
Jamie Donatuto and Larry Campbell, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (via video)
Followed by our group discussion
Tuesday, Sept 23rd in ALS Building room 1019
10 :00 am
Live
A Communication Science Approach to Developing and Evaluating Environmental Health Messages
Kami Silk, Michigan State University
10:30 am.
Live
Importance of EHL to NIEHS Mission: New Partners for Research
Gwen Collman, NIEHS
Recorded Sessions
Welcome Linda Birnbaum, NIEHS
Defining EHL in Context of NIEHS’ Commitment to Community Engagement Liam O’Fallon, NIEHS
Scope of Current NIH Research and Resources Bill Elwood, NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research
Outside Influences on EHL: What the Public Already Understands about Environmental Risks Symma Finn, NIEHS
Defining Environmental Health Literacy Together Marti Lindsey, University of Arizona
Influence of the Media on Understanding of Environmental Health Katherine Rowan, George Mason University
The Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit (PEHT) and the Role of Prevention in the Clinical Setting Mark Miller, University of California San Francisco Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit
Community Engagement through Enhanced Environmental Health Literacy Neasha Graves, University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill
Development and Implementation of Occupational Health and Environmental Literacy Training for Various Audiences Mitch Rosen, Rutgers University
Use of Mapping, GIS, and Spatial Statistics to Increase Environmental Health Literacy in Community Settings Paul English, California Department of Public Health
New Tools for Measuring and Communicating Environmental Exposures and Risks Sara Wylie, Northeastern University
Deborah Thomas, Shale Test
Breast cancer communication & Photovoice: Increasing EHL in Youth Alexandra Anderson, Zero Breast Cancer
The Savery award is presented each year to a faculty member of the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences to recognize outstanding contributions through teaching, research, international, and/or extended education activities. Harper will receive the award, which includes a $1,000 cash prize and a plaque, at a faculty and staff luncheon Oct. 8.
Harper has been an outstanding role model for graduate students. She was brought into the SRP Center as a leader when the Training Core was established in 2013. She has been an assistant professor of nanotoxicology in the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology (EMT) and the School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering since 2009. Prior to joining the faculty at OSU, she was a postdoctoral fellow in the Environmental Health Sciences Center, where she was mentored by Robert Tanguay, Ph.D (SRP Project 3 Leader and Center Research Coordinator).
Harper takes an integrative approach to studying the environmental, health, and safety impacts of nanotechnology. Her lab uses rapid assays to determine the toxic potential of nanomaterials, investigative tools to evaluate nanomaterial physiochemical properties, and informatics to identify the specific features of a nanomaterial that govern its environmental behavior and biological interactions.
In addition to her most recent honor, Harper was the 2012 recipient of the L.L. Stewart Faculty Scholars Award, which recognizes an outstanding faculty member at OSU with $30,000 in additional research support. Harper also received an Outstanding New Environmental Scientist (ONES) award from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in 2011.
