# Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY · 2024 · $1,508,940

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY – Overall
The University of Kentucky Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences (UK-CARES) will
build on our early successes, capitalize on lessons learned, and enhance our mission through a dual focus on
better understanding exposure pathways and emerging environmental health threats and optimizing research
translation. Our Mission is to focus on exposure pathways to better match with community concerns and to
emphasize research translation. Our Values reflect strong, multidirectional community-academic partnerships,
with a renewed commitment to meaningful processes, procedures, and policies that respect and promote
diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Responsible conduct of research is at the foundation of our Center,
appreciating the essential value of rigorous and reproducible multidisciplinary team science. Our goals are to
(a) advance multidisciplinary environmental health science (EHS); (b) analyze organic contaminants and trace-
elements; (c) cultivate early-stage stage and established investigators; (d) learn with and from the community,
helping to inform and translate our research; and (e) build science communication skills with investigators and
community partners to boost research translation. We will advance EHS across the translational spectrum
around three highly integrated science themes informed by residents of rural Appalachia: 1) Health Impacts of
Waterborne Contaminants (WATER); 2) Health Impacts of Indoor and Outdoor Airborne Contaminants (AIR);
and 3) Emerging Environmental Health Threats (EMERGING THREATS). The central hypothesis is that
exposure to established contaminants via environmental exposure pathways (e.g., water, air) and emerging
environmental health threats, combined with lifestyle and societal risk factors, contributes to the
disproportionately high incidence of chronic diseases and health disparities in rural Appalachia. UK-CARES
draws on a strong and diverse base of EHS and community-engaged research to meet the needs of
communities in rural Appalachia. We will support and mentor investigators so they can reach the translational
milestones in research: (1) asking fundamental questions; (2) applying and synthesizing; (3) implementing and
adjusting; (4) moving ideas to practice; and (5) creating impact. In short, UK-CARES will leverage its resources
to enhance EHS at UK while also reducing health risks and disparities in rural Appalachia. An Integrated
Health Sciences Facility Core, Analytical Chemistry Core for Environmental Sciences, and Community
Engagement Core are integral to this effort, as these cores will provide dedicated support in analytical
chemistry, trace-elements analysis, biospecimen management, and bioinformatics and bridge Center and
community priorities. The Pilot Project Program supports developing research and new scientific directions,
advancing the careers of scientists interested in tackling challenging environmental health questions. UK-
CARES will positive...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10854744
- **Project number:** 5P30ES026529-07
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
- **Principal Investigator:** Erin N Haynes
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,508,940
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-05-01 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10854744

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10854744, Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences (5P30ES026529-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10854744. Licensed CC0.

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