# HERCULES: Exposome Research Center

> **NIH NIH P30** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $1,492,946

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY: HERCULES
The vision of the HERCULES P30 is to demonstrably advance the role of environmental health sciences in
clinical and public health settings using the platform of the exposome. Healthcare and biomedical research have
become increasingly genome-centric. While much of this is due to the impressive achievements in genomics,
which have consistently outpaced gains in environmental health, it is our contention that a more persuasive case
needs to be made for environmental factors. Science and intuition support the idea that the environment plays
just as large of a role as genetics for the majority of diseases. The exposome, which embraces a strategy and
scale similar to genomic research, is poised to elevate the environment in discussions of health and disease.
We will continue to grow and enhance the environmental health science research portfolio at Emory through
cutting-edge technologies and innovative data solutions. We will build upon the superb relationships we have
built with the local community and continue to push the mission of NIEHS on campus and across the scientific
landscape. Based on the extraordinary progress over our first three years, we propose to retain our theme to
use exposome-related concepts and approaches to improve human health. This simple and unifying vision will
continue to stimulate discovery, promote collaboration, and enhance communication through the following
Specific Aims: Specific Aim 1. To marshal physical and intellectual resources to support exposome-related
approaches (high-resolution metabolomics, analytical chemistry, systems biology, machine learning,
bioinformatics, high-throughput toxicology, and spatial and temporal statistical models) through cores, pilot
funding, mentoring, and research forums. Specific Aim 2. To make major contributions towards exposome and
environmental health science research. Specific Aim 3. To provide career development activities around
innovative and emerging concepts and approaches related to the exposome. Specific Aim 4. To enhance and
expand existing relationships with community partners to resolve environmental health issues in the community
using exposome principles. Specific Aim 5. To provide infrastructure and resources to facilitate rapid translation
of novel scientific findings into the development of prevention and treatment strategies in humans. Pursuit of
HERCULES' aims will advance environmental health sciences within our institutions and in the scientific
community.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9902428
- **Project number:** 5P30ES019776-08
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Carmen Joseph Marsit
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,492,946
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2013-05-21 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9902428

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9902428, HERCULES: Exposome Research Center (5P30ES019776-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9902428. Licensed CC0.

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