The Research Experience and Training Coordination Core (RETCC) of the Southern California Superfund Research and Training Program for PFAS Assessment, Remediation, and Prevention (ShARP) will train a diverse group of future leaders in environmental health, environmental science and engineering, community engagement, and data science to advance rigorous scientific discovery with high potential for promoting healthier environments and communities affected by PFAS contamination around Superfund sites.
Trainees will receive
- research opportunities in ongoing ShARP Center Projects
- collaborative mentorship from esteemed ShARP investigators
- interdisciplinary training in public health, medicine, environmental health, and engineering
- specific cross-disciplinary curricula
Opportunities include
- developing a science translation/communication deliverable
- active learning activity with one Core or Project outside of the trainee’s home department which may include
- hands-on skills that underscore real-world applications of trainees’ field and laboratory research through participation with the Community Engagement Core (CEC), including co-development of a pilot project with community partners
or - working with the Data Management and Analysis Core (DMAC) and Project scientists to analyze high dimensional data using innovative data science approaches
- hands-on skills that underscore real-world applications of trainees’ field and laboratory research through participation with the Community Engagement Core (CEC), including co-development of a pilot project with community partners
Collaborative mentorship from esteemed ShARP investigators spanning the Keck School Medicine’s Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and Viterbi School of Engineering at USC.
Trainees will participate in
- Superfund Research Programs (SRP) professional development workshops including internal and external speakers on topics like data management (led by DMAC), entrepreneurship and/or development of small businesses, science translation and communication, community-engaged research (led by CEC), developing effective scientific writing and presentations, and professional development topics such as resume building and interview skills
- ShARP enrichment activities to present their research and understand the wide-ranging impact of SRP research at the
- ShARP seminar series
- ShARP symposium
- quarterly ShARP meetings
Trainees will receive instruction on effective communication skills which will include instruction on methods for conducting effective presentations and working with diverse populations.
The trainee’s selection of specific curriculum related to research goals may include courses outside their home school/department, cross disciplinary lab rotations, interdisciplinary research meetings with all trainees across disciplines (e.g., ShARP Center Quarterly Meetings), and a seminar series.