About the Sponsors
Institute for Risk Analysis and Risk Communication (IRARC)
Founded in 1997, the Institute for Risk Analysis and Risk Communication (IRARC) is committed to improving public health by performing state of the art research that develops the scientific basis of methods used in risk assessment and risk communication. IRARC conducts molecular and cellular laboratory research, develops mechanistic models of toxicity and translates findings for broad audiences. IRARC seeks to educate scientists and practioners on the appropriate application of risk assessment and risk communication methods and to translate the findings into effective education and intervention programs. Our ultimate goal is to improve public health outcomes through sound science that is translated into effective public health practices and policies.
IRARC serves as an integrating institute that includes three research centers and related research activities:
- The Center for Child Environmental Health Risks Research is funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NIEHS and works to understand the mechanisms that define children’s susceptibility to pesticides. Center researchers work in the lab, in the field, and in the community to bring a unique and successful approach to the study of children’s environmental health.
- The Pacific Northwest Center for Human Health and Ocean Studies investigates how genetic and environmental variability define toxicity and dynamics of harmful algal blooms and impacts on susceptible human populations. The center is funded by NIEHS and the National Science Foundation and includes researchers from our department and the UW College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences.
- The Pacific Northwest Center for the National Children’s Study is 1 of 22 study centers across the nation selected to assess environmental influences on the health and development of children from before birth through age 21. Overall, the national study will involve a representative sample of 100,000 children to examine the links between environment and physical and mental health including identifying environmental influences that may contribute to asthma, obesity, autism, ADHD and prematurity.
Pacific Northwest Center for Human Health and Oceans Studies
The Pacific Northwest Center for Human Health and Ocean Studies investigates how genetic and environmental variability define toxicity and dynamics of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and impacts on susceptible human populations. The Center is comprised of a multidisciplinary research team including faculty from several academic institutions and departments in partnership with state and federal governmental organizations to facilitate both mechanistic and applied research on production and adverse affects of HABs. The Center is a joint collaboration effort between two top-rated academic programs, the University of Washington Schools of Oceanography, Marine Affairs, and Aquatic and Fishery Science within the College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences and the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences in the School of Public Health. Elaine M. Faustman, PhD, DABT, from the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, is the Center’s Director; E. Virginia (Ginger) Armbrust, PhD, from the School of Oceanography, is co-director. The center is funded by NIEHS and the National Science Foundation.
Superfund Research Program (SRP)
The Superfund Research Program (SRP) is a network of university grants that are designed to seek solutions to the complex health and environmental issues associated with the nation's hazardous waste sites. The SRP is part of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The basic scientific research conducted by the SRP is a coordinated effort with the Environmental Protection Agency, which is the federal entity charged with cleaning up the worst hazardous waste sites in the country.
The SRP at University of Washington (UW) includes investigations of biomarkers for susceptibility of diverse biological systems to neurotoxic chemicals in the environment.
The Tribal Rights and Fish Consumption Workshop is being supported, in part, by the Research Translation and Outreach Core (RTOC) of the UW-SRP. The RTOC supports technology transfer activities that help researchers move their research findings and products into useful application. The core also hosts a regular agency seminar series and works with communities who are concerned about hazardous waste sites to facilitate the connection of stakeholder issues with research findings from the University of Washington and other sources. Please visit our website - HERE.
