Winter 2021
2020 was an eventful year. We have adapted and responded to the challenges posed by the year. Read more to learn about our ongoing research.
OSU research program awarded $12.7 million grant for Superfund research
Our research program has been awarded a $12.7 million grant to serve the Pacific Northwest by studying harmful chemicals found at federally designated hazardous waste sites.
Research Updates
Dr. Courtney Roper highlights how PM2.5 concentrations are frequently used for regulatory guidelines

SRP post-doctoral trainee Dr. Courtney Roper describes how PM2.5 concentrations can be used for regulatory guidelines. Her work demonstrates that more health-relevant metrics for PM2.5 exposures are needed. 
Impact of local and regional sources of PAHs on tribal reservation air quality in the U.S. Pacific Northwest

Atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can transport polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) regionally and globally, influencing the air quality of communities around the planet.
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Mediates Larval Zebrafish Fin Duplication Following Exposure to Benzofluoranthenes

Our Center focuses on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Our research is looking at how these chemicals cause toxicity.
Simonich/Semprini Project: Improving cleanup of contaminated groundwater

Beads that contain bacteria and a slow-release food supply to sustain them can clean up contaminated groundwater for months on end, maintenance-free, research by Oregon State University shows.
To see all of our publications, click here: https://superfund.oregonstate.edu/biblio
Research Translation
Proposed changes to Portland Harbor Superfund

We shared our recent work on benzo[a]pyrene and provided access to revised sediment assessments.
Portland Harbor Superfund Site Community Involvement Plan (CIP)

The Oregon State University Superfund Research Center is a stated collaborator in the Portland Harbor Community Involvement Plan (CIP). - Page 58, Objective 5 - Page 73, Objective 5
News interview with KVAL News

Drs. Susan Tilton and Diana Rohlman were interviewed to highlight the impact of wildfire smoke on human health. Susan Tilton's work was specifically highlighted.
OSU researchers devise method to predict cancer impacts of fires, fossil fuels

Oregon State University scientists have developed a method that could potentially predict the cancer-causing potential of chemicals released into the air during wildfires and fossil fuel combustion.
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OSU and Tribes study the PAH levels when smoking salmon

Salmon is holy food for the Native People in the Pacific Northwest. We teamed up with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation to study the exposure to PAHs when the traditional food salmon, is caught, prepared, and smoked.

Wildfire impact on indoor/outdoor air quality and chemical movement

Wildfire smoke includes PAHs. We studied the effect of wildfires on indoor and outdoor air quality.

Part 6 series of Card-news
Directed by Dr. Robyn Tanguay, our program brings together a multidisciplinary team with years of experience in PAHs and environmental health issues. We highlighted 5 series of our research on PAHs.
Resource Highlights
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SRP Trainee Lindsay Wilson worked with RTC co-lead Dr. Rohlman to develop a zebrafish infographic.
Project Highlights
Drs. Tanguay and Rohlman are working with the Port of Portland, The Remediators, and the Portland Harbor Community Coalition on a bioremediation project for Willamette Cove. The site is heavily contaminated. Dr. Tanguay will be testing pre- and post-remediation soil samples in the zebrafish assay. 
Awards and Promotion
Board of Publications Toxicological Sciences Paper of the Year Award

Dr. Robyn Tanguays paper selected as the Paper of the Year in Toxicological Sciences for 2019.


OSU Awards

Dr. Robyn Tanguay was awarded the ARF Distinguished Professor Award as well as the SOT RDTSS Scientific Achievement Award. Dr. Dave Williams was awarded the Distinguished Professor award.
SRP Trainees receive PANWAT awards

SRP Trainees in the Tanguay lab received awards at the PANWAT meeting on November 9th.
K.C. Donnelly Externships awarded to outstanding Superfund trainees 

SRP trainee Yvonne Rericha studies zebrafish to investigate the mechanisms by which PFAS and PAH exposure harm development, under the mentorship of Robyn Tanguay, Ph.D. (Photo courtesy of Yvonne Rericha)
Dr. Susan Tilton’s promotion
Susan Tilton, Project leader, was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure.
Trainee
CEC trainee APHA round table and APHA 

CEC trainee Sydelle Harrison had an oral abstract accepted for the APHA annual conference and presented as a round table on Oct. 17th at the conference in collaboration with the training core. 
Sydelle Harrison received the Oregon Native American Chamber's Student Academic Achievement Award.
SRP Trainee Brianna Rivera’s research was highlighted by SOT 
SRP Trainee Brianna Rivera, co-advised by Drs. Kim Anderson and Susan Tilton, participated in a webinar for SOT. Her research was highlighted in a blog post by SOT.
Events
PNNL works on COVID-19 and assists local communities

PNNL is a collaborative partner in the OSU-PNNL Superfund Research Center.
CEC, COVID-19 Facebook post with CTUIR 

The Community Engagement Core worked with the CTUIR Tribal Health Clinic to create a short message about COVID-19 for their Facebook page.
CTUIR-SRP Exchange Series: GATHER

On November 24th the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation hosted a virtual film screening of the film GATHER. Our Superfund trainees and personnel were invited to attend and meet some of the individuals highlighted in the film.

OSU/PNNL SRP Stakeholder Meeting

OSU/PNNL SRP hosted a stakeholder meeting on Friday, January 29, 2021 to increase the research team’s understanding of stakeholder needs and increase stakeholder understanding of our data, tools and resources. Nearly 60 people participated in the event, which began with an overview of the OSU/PNNL Superfund Research Program by the Director, Dr. Robyn Tanguay. After sharing the Center goals, expertise, tools, and resources, 15 stakeholders representing a variety of agencies, organization and community groups shared their needs and interests with Center researchers and other stakeholders. This provided an opportunity for robust information sharing through which many synergistic relationships began to emerge.  
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