# Research Core

> **NIH NIH U2C** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $257,708

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT
The purpose of the Duke Environmental Analysis Laboratory (DEAL) Hub is to offer a comprehensive suite of
analytical services to support epidemiologists and health researchers conducting studies focusing on the
impact of environmental contaminant exposures on human health. The Environmental Sample Analysis
Resource (ESAR) Core of the DEAL Hub will help achieve this vision by providing analytical services for the
analysis of organic chemicals and inorganic elements from diverse sample media. ESAR will utilize cutting-
edge technology and approaches for suspect-screening and non-targeted analyses of chemicals using high-
resolution mass spectrometry and will separate sampling into three distinct laboratories: Targeted Organic,
Targeted Inorganic, and Untargeted Organic. All three of the laboratories will provide consultation and
advice to HHEAR Network researchers on experimental design, exposure assessment, sample collection, and
processing, efforts coordinated by the project management expertise of the DEAL Administrative Core. The
Targeted Organic Contaminant Analysis Lab (directed by Dr. Heather Stapleton) will provide services for
sample preparation, extraction and quantitative analysis of organic contaminants (e.g., flame retardants,
polyflouroalkyl substances, phthalates, plasticizers, etc.) in diverse environmental media. The Targeted
Inorganic Analysis Lab (directed by Dr. Heileen Hsu-Kim) will provide the same services for trace elements
(e.g., metal) with a focus on speciation and bioaccessibility. Finally, the Non-Targeted High Resolution Mass
Spectrometry Lab will provide high-resolution, accurate-mass mass spectrometry services for use in
developing exposomics approaches and methodologies in order to help measure the totality of human
exposure to chemicals (this effort will be directed by Dr. Lee Ferguson). The unique structure of the ESAR will
allow the Co-Directors to utilize their relevant expertise in their own labs, while also collaborating and sharing
information in order to achieve the overarching aims of the ESAR. In addition, the ESAR Co-directors will work
collaboratively and bi-directionally with the Developmental Core to improve the efficiency of extraction
methods, build consistency in the targeted and non-targeted method workflows, and expand the analyte list of
the Targeted Organic Contaminant Analysis Lab as new emerging contaminants are identified.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10176493
- **Project number:** 5U2CES030851-03
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** HEATHER M STAPLETON
- **Activity code:** U2C (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $257,708
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-10 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10176493

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10176493, Research Core (5U2CES030851-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10176493. Licensed CC0.

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