# KC Donnelly Externship - LSU SRP MATHIEU: AERMOD spatial predictive model for airborne exposure to PCBs

> **NIH NIH P42** · LOUISIANA STATE UNIV A&M COL BATON ROUGE · 2022 · $12,600

## Abstract

Project Description (Abstract)
AERMOD is the most widely applied U.S. EPA regulatory model to predict the dispersion of
airborne pollutants from a point source. The Iowa Superfund Research Program (ISRP) has
extensive experience running AERMOD, the primary model used by ISRP to predict airborne
PCB congener concentrations. The applicant’s research at the Louisiana State University
Superfund Research Program (LSU SRP) consists of performing spatial and statistical modeling
of particulate matter components to understand exposure to emissions from an open burn/open
detonation hazardous waste thermal treatment facility in rural Colfax, LA. As part of her
dissertation, Ms. Martine Mathieu will develop a hybrid exposure assessment model integrating
surface-level measurements with the AERMOD dispersion model to provide a robust prediction
of concentrations as surrogates for estimated exposures. Drawing on ISRP’s experience with
AERMOD, the overarching objective of the Externship is to learn to predict air pollutant
exposure using the AERMOD atmospheric dispersion model. This externship will enable the
applicant to learn about requirements for model inputs, construction of AERMOD inputs,
implementation of the model, and quality assurance of the results. With current research interests
in hybrid approaches to spatial air pollution models, the new skills gained through the Externship
will add value to Ms. Mathieu’s research career and professional goals. Furthermore, Ms.
Mathieu’s experience through the KC Donnelly Externship will enhance long-term collaboration
between the LSU SRP and the ISRP through community engagement experiences and further
research collaboration centered around modeling, including journal publications, that will
provide insights for similar studies and comparable sites.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10580929
- **Project number:** 3P42ES013648-10S3
- **Recipient organization:** LOUISIANA STATE UNIV A&M COL BATON ROUGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Stephania A Cormier
- **Activity code:** P42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $12,600
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-06-01 → 2023-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10580929

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10580929, KC Donnelly Externship - LSU SRP MATHIEU: AERMOD spatial predictive model for airborne exposure to PCBs (3P42ES013648-10S3). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10580929. Licensed CC0.

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