# Research Experience and Training Coordination Core (RETCC)

> **NIH NIH P42** · UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND · 2024 · $79,789

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT - RESEARCH EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING COORDINATION CORE
The major scientific theme of the University of Rhode Island (URI)-led STEEP (Sources, Transport, Exposure
and Effects of PFAS) Center is to provide solutions to aid the NIH Superfund Research Program (SRP) in
addressing emerging per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), reducing human exposure, training, and
engaging affected communities. The STEEP Research Experience and Training Coordination Core (RETCC)
will provide pre- and post-doctoral level trainees with resources and opportunities to become skilled
scientists/engineers, equipped to address various aspects of emerging contaminants, specifically the scientific,
remediation, community, and translational facets of PFAS. To do so, STEEP has assembled a competent group
of scientists, engineers, and professionals from URI, Harvard University, and Silent Spring Institute. RETCC will
capitalize on the multi-institutional strengths of the STEEP team, centered on emerging contaminants, and
proposes innovative and interdisciplinary training activities. In STEEP II, all trainees will participate in at least
one of four new Trainee Action Centered Teams In Communities (TACTIC), focused on: (i) high-school
pedagogy, (ii) research translation; (iii) science-policy support; and (iv) community engagement and outreach.
The four STEEP research projects involve seven PIs/senior investigators and RETCC will maintain 10-12 fully
supported graduate students as primary STEEP predoctoral trainees throughout the grant cycle. Additional
graduate students will be supported as secondary STEEP trainees using Center funds for a total of 25 graduate
trainees. In addition, two STEEP fellowships supporting students from underrepresented groups will be added
through the URI Graduate School Minority Program (see “Institutional Commitment”). These graduate trainees
are expected to be engaged fully in our rigorous and engaging interdisciplinary training activities (see “Proposed
Training”). STEEP II also expects to support 4-6 postdoctoral trainees over the entire five-year funding period.
Overall, STEEP II will provide a rich interdisciplinary training experience that brings together trainees from
diverse scientific fields, including oceanography, public health, pharmacy, engineering, biostatistics, and
computer science, empowering them to be change makers and problem-solvers. STEEP II trainees will be the
next generation of scientists in hazardous substance research who can advance public policy, regulatory
science, chemistry safety, and human health protection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10868719
- **Project number:** 5P42ES027706-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
- **Principal Investigator:** Angela L Slitt
- **Activity code:** P42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $79,789
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10868719

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10868719, Research Experience and Training Coordination Core (RETCC) (5P42ES027706-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10868719. Licensed CC0.

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