Research and Development
&EPA 1990 Visiting
Scientists and
Engineers Program
Solicitation
Office of Exploratory Research
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
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Table of Contents
Page
Program Description 1
Basic Eligibility Requirements 1
Application Requirements 2
1. Cover Page 2
2. Brief Statement of Interest 2
3. Full Resume 2
4. Narrative of Proposed Research ... 2
Objectives 2
Background 2
Proposed Project 3
Level of Effort 3
Application Deadline 4
Review and Selection 4
1. Administrative Review 4
2. Laboratory Review 4
3. Peer Review 5
Assignment Start Date 5
General Terms 5
Funding Mechanism 5
Participating Laboratories and Research Descriptions 6
Health Effects Research Laboratory, RTP, NC 6
Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH 10
Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory,
Ada, OK 10
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory,
Cincinnati, OH 11
Environmental Research Laboratorty, Corvallis, OR 11
Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment
Laboratory, RTP, NC 18
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory,
Las Vegas, NV 20
Human Health Assessment Group, Office of Health & Environmental
Assessment, Washington, D.C 20
in
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1990 Visiting Scientists and Engineers Program
Program The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of
Description Research and Development (ORD) administers a Visiting
Scientists and Engineers Program (VSEP). The purpose of
the program is to attract eminent researchers in the areas of
environmental science and engineering to the Agency's
research laboratories to collaborate with ORD researchers
on projects proposed by the visitor and tailored to the
specific needs of EPA (as identified in annual program
descriptions such as this). The program fosters collaborative
research activities and provides creative research
opportunities to benefit EPA, the visitor, and the
environmental research community at large by: (a)
strengthening ties between EPA and the outside
environmental research community, (b) providing an
efficient means for introducing new capabilities into the
research community by creating a setting in which important
environmental problems are jointly tackled by EPA and
outside environmental researchers, and (c) broadening
awareness of respective EPA and external capabilities
throughout the general environmental research community.
The VSEP is a competitive program under which
approximately twenty-five researchers have been approved
for support.
Applicants are sought annually through advertisements in
well-known scientific and engineering literature. For the
1990 program, advertisements will appear in Science and
Environmental Science and Technology. Also, copies of
this program announcement will be sent to over 5000
departments at colleges and universities throughout the
country through EPA's Center for Environmental Research
Information.
Basic Anyone who has established substantial credentials in one
Eligibility or more of the areas of environmental science or engin-
Require- eering listed under "participating laboratories" and is not an
ments EPA employee is eligible to apply. Individuals must have a
minimum of five years experience beyond the Ph.D. in the
environmental sciences or engineering and a good
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publication record in order to be considered under the 1990
program.
U.S. citizenship is not a requirement for participation in the
VSEP.
Application In order to be considered for the 1990 program, interested
Require- individuals must submit an application containing the
merits following sections and strictly within indicated page limits.
Joint or group applications will not be considered.
Cover Page containing the following: full name, professional
discipline, affiliate institution or organization, mailing address
and phone number, general research area (as contained in
this document, including laboratory) to which application is
directed, and approximate desired starting date (month and
year), (limit 1 page)
Brief Statement of Interest indicating interest in
competing in the 1990 program, (limit - 1 single-spaced
page)
Full Resume containing education, background, awards,
honors and other qualifying experience, summary of
employment (including current projects), and a bibliography
of publications, (no page limit)
Narrative of Proposed Research Project to be conducted
at the relevant EPA laboratory. The following format should
be used to describe the project (limit - 15 double-spaced
pages plus references):
Objectives - Describe the principal and subordinate
objectives (if any) of the proposed project.
Background - Provide a technical synopsis of background
information which places the proposed project in context
relative to on-going efforts in the relevant research area.
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Proposed project - Describe the proposed project, tying it
to the background discussion. Indicate results expected
from the project.
Level of effort - The budget should be prepared in the
following format using the categories listed .
Estimated Project Costs
Personnel (salaries)
Fringe benefits
Travel
Equipment1
Supplies2
Contractural personal
services (if appropriate)
Other (specify)
Total direct costs
Indirect costs3
Total costs
Total requested from
EPA
xxxx
xxxx
xxxx
xxxx
xxxx
xxxx
xxxx
xxxx
xxxx
xxxx
xxxx
xxxx
Identify equipment to be purchased with
an acquisition cost of $1,000 or more.
Also, list items of equipment needed so
that comparisons can be made with
equipment already at the EPA laboratory
site.
Enter the total cost of supplies if it is at
least 2% of the total amount requested
from EPA.
Consult affiliate institution's Office of
Sponsored Research for rates generally
used for federal research assistance.
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The complete application should not exceed 17 pages plus
(a) any references necessary to complete the "narrative of
the proposed research project" and (b) the resume. It
should strictly adhere to the above format.
Application Six copies of fully developed applications must be received
Deadline in the Office of Exploratory Research by May 31, 1990.
They should be sent to:
Alvin Edwards
1990 Visiting Scientists and Engineers Program
Office of Exploratory Research, RD-675
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, Southwest, Rm NE306
Washington, DC 20460
Applications received after that date will be returned without
consideration.
Review Applications received on or before May 31, 1990, will
and receive an administrative review, a peer review and a
Selection laboratory review.
1. Administrative Review: An administrative review will be
performed in the Office of Exploratory Research. Three
grounds for administrative rejection are: (1) disregard for the
application requirements as outlined in this document, (2)
OER's receipt of an application after the closing date of May
31, 1990, and (3) a proposal to do work in an area not
specified in this document. Violation of any one of these
may result in automatic rejection,
2. Laboratory Review: An application will be reviewed by the
EPA laboratory responsible for the topic addressed in the
proposal. Primary emphasis in the laboratory review will be
on the degree of relevance of the proposed research to the
objectives and interests of the laboratory.
3. Peer Review: Applications will be competitively reviewed
by an ad hoc committee of outside peer reviewers.
Emphasis will be placed on: (1) the applicant's
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qualifications, with a focus on the applicant's research
record within the environmental sciences or environmental
engineering, and (2) the merits of the proposed research
project. The committee will recommend to EPA those
candidates considered best qualified to receive support
under the VSEP.
The Assistant Administrator for the Office of Research and
Development within EPA will approve candidates based on
the results of the laboratory and peer reviews. Every effort
will be made to complete the review process and inform
applicants of the outcome prior to August 31, 1990.
Assign- To allow time for settling personal matters, etc., subject to
ment the approval of the sponsoring EPA laboratory, visitors will
Start be allowed to postpone the start of their assignment for
Date more than a year after receiving notification of their
selection and approval. Accordingly, visitors selected under
the 1990 VSEP may start their assignments as late as
September 30, 1991. The exact date, of course, must be
negotiated with and agreed to by the sponsoring laboratory.
General For a candidate selected for assignment, terms, including
Terms salary, travel expenses, equipment allowance, and other
expenses, will be negotiated by him/her directly with the
laboratory to which he/she has been selected for
assignment and will be tailored to meet the research
objectives of the candidate and EPA. Periods of
appointment are also negotiable and may vary from one to
three years. It is assumed that visitors will spend a
substantial portion of the project period on-site at the EPA
facility. If, however, a visitor chooses not to, then he/she is
required to spend at least 15 percent of the project period
on-site, which shall consist of more than mere overnight
visits to deliver status reports, make presentations, discuss
project details, and the like.
Funding For selectees who are not federal employees, appointments
Mechanism under the VSEP will be executed through the cooperative
agreement instrument. Upon successfully completing the
review process and being approved for support by the
Assistant Administrator for Research and Development,
selectees will be sent a formal application kit for federal
assistance. The selectee will complete the kit and forward it
through the administrative offices of his affiliate institution to
the EPA assistance administration office whose address will
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be indicated in the application kit. (Selectees who are not
associated with an institution may submit the formal
application directly to the EPA assistance administration
office.) On the basis of the completed application, the
selectee will receive a formal cooperative application
through his affiliate institution (or directly as the case may
be). The selectee may begin work under the VSEP in
accordance with the date indicated in the cooperative
agreement.
Selectees who are federal employees will receive support
through an interagency agreement between EPA and their
federal agency.
For further information on the overall program, contact Alvin
Edwards at (202)382-7663.
Participa- Visitors are sought to conduct research in the laboratories
ting listed below. Under each laboratory are listed general
Labora- topics of interest to the laboratory followed by a more
tories and detailed description of the research needed. The
Research description should provide sufficient detail for applicants to
Descrip- develop well-focused research proposals, but should allow
tions for creativity and imagination. If, however, more clarity is
needed, applicants should contact the individual listed. It
should be obvious that a proposal to conduct research on a
specific topic is also a proposal to work in collaboration with
the corresponding laboratory.
Health
Effects
Research
Laboratory,
Research
Triangle
Park.NC
General Research Topic 1: In Vitro Approaches for
Neurotoxicity Assessments
Research Focus'. There is a clearly stated need to
determine the utility of tissue culture techniques for
screening neurotoxic agents. The major objective of this
project is to differentiate among neurotoxic and non-
neurotoxic chemicals in test mixtures. Experiments will
focus on establishing and characterizing various cell lines,
dissociated and reaggregated primary culture models on in
vivo neurotoxicity. Research will then attempt to define
valid morphological and biochemical endpoints in vitro that
predict in vivo neurotoxicity and/or cytotoxicity. Research
will also identify, devise and evaluate hepatic pretreatments
to bioactivate parent compounds. Validation of a proposed
testing scheme will proceed using various known/unknown
neurotoxic and non-neurotoxic agents and the established
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cytotoxic and neurotoxic baseline data derived from the
characterized cell lines and dissociated cultures.
Duration of Effort: 1 to 3 years
Lab Contact: Hugh A. Tilson Phone: 9191541-2671
General Research Topic 2: Subcellular In Vitro
Approaches for Neurotoxicity Assessments
Research Focus: Disturbances in intracellular calcium
homeostasis has been associated with numerous
pathophysiological processes including ischemia and
neuronal death. It has been postulated that alterations in
calcium disposition may represent a step in a final common
pathway leading to neuronal death. In the case of the
nervous system, agents might act to damage the plasma
membrane directly, allowing for an influx of calcium into the
neuron; increased intracellular calcium could inhibit one of
many glycolytic or oxidative phosphorylation processes
causing an impairment of energy-requiring calcium pumps
or sequestration processes located in the plasma membrane
mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. This research will
utilize probes to determine the level of free ionic calcium
and synaptosomal preparations. The approach will be
validated using known neurotoxicants and comparing efforts
seen with those agents, with non-neurotoxic chemicals. This
approach will be consistent with biologically-based dose
response assessment, mechanism of action studies and
could have use in the study of structure-response activity
relationships.
Duration of Effort: 1 to 3 years
Lab Contact: Hugh A. Tilson Phone: 919/541-2671
General Research Topic 3: Application of Mechanistic
Information and/or Mathematical Models to Improve Low
Dose and Interspecies Extrapolations in Developmental
Toxicity Risk Assessments
Research Focus: In the future, risk assessments in
developmental toxicology are likely to evolve from the
NOAEL/Safety Factor approach to one that encompasses
information about pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and
quantitative dose-effect relationships. Before this can be
achieved, experimental work defining mechanisms of
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teratogenesis, critical biological steps, sensitive endpoints of
developmental disruptions, and the relationships between
exposure and effect at the target site are required. This
research will necessitate innovative procedures so that
generic guidance can be drawn from chemical-specific data.
Such an effort creates a variety of research opportunities for
molecular biologists, biochemists, teratologists,
pharmacokinetics, and mathematicians. Only through
coordinated interaction of these disciplines will the state-of-
the-art in risk assessment procedures be advanced.
Duration of Effort: 1 to 2 years
Lab Contact: Robert J. Kavlock Phone: 919/541-2771
General Research Topic 4: Studies in Experimental
Dosimetry Involving Exposure Via the Respiratory, Dermal,
and Oral Routes
Research Focus: Determination of dose to the target
tissue(s) is a major area of concern for risk assessment.
Not only can exposure via different routes alter the rate and
extent of absorption, it can also affect the tissue distribution
due to metabolism occurring at the portals of entry. In
certain instances, toxicity can be dramatically different via
alternate routes of exposure. It is important to determine
the actual dose to the tissue, which can only be done by
analyzing tissue concentrations at multiple time points
following exposure. The blood is not always a good indicator
of the dose to the tissues. It is also important to
discriminate between the parent compound and its
metabolites, which may represent either intoxication or
detoxication products. This research will focus on the
abosrption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of
environmental chemicals of interest to the Agency where
human exposure may occur by multiple routes.
Determination of tissue doses following alternate routes will
allow application of the animal data to human risk
assessment.
Duration of Effort: 1 to 3 years
Lab Contact: Harold Zenick Phone:919/541-2283
General Research Topic 5: Development of
Physiologically Based Models to Predict the
Pharmacokinetic Behavior of Environmental Chemicals
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Research Focus: Pharmacokinetic models based on
realistic physiological and biochemical processes occurring
within animals are amenable to high-to-low dose, route-to-
route, intermittent-to-continuous, and interspecies
extrapolations. The development of such models can often
drive the design of experimental studies and has great utility
in risk assessment. Using the available data, both in the
literature and generated by other laboratory scientists, the
visiting scientist will work on the development of appropriate
models, which may or may not be flow-limited in their
design. He or she will interact closely with the
experimentalists, not only to test the model once developed,
but in an interactive program during the model development
and validation. The chemicals chosen to model will be
those with a high degree of concern to the Agency.
Interested individuals should have a background in
pharmacokinetic modeling, either with pharmaceutics or
toxics, or a strong background in pharmacology,
biochemistry, and statistics.
Duration of Effort: 1 to 3 years
Lab Contact: Harold Zenick Phone: 919/541-2283
General Research Topic 6: Investigation of the Health
Effects of Inhaled Pollutants on Human Pulmonary Cells In
Vivo and In Vitro
Research Focus: A better understanding of the effects of
inhaled pollutants on human pulmonary cell types is needed
for the purpose of hazard assessment. The Cell and
Molecular Biology Section (CMBS) evaluates the effects of
pollutants on human pulmonary immune and inflammatory
responses. Cells and fluids are obtained from naive or
exposed human subjects by bronchoalveolar lavage or nasal
lavage and analyzed at the immunological, biochemical,
molecular levels. Cells obtained from naive subjects are
exposed to pollutants in vitro. The in vitro exposure permits
studies with toxic or hazardous pollutants. This project will
involve the development of model systems to better
understand: (1) the responses of human pulmonary cells
(immune and epithelial) to microbial infections following
exposure to various pollutants; and (2) the significance and
potential long-term health effects of (acute) exposures to
pollutants relative to the development of chronic lung
disease.
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Duration of Effort: 1 to 3 years
Lab Contact: Hillel S. Keren Phone: 919/966-6254
Risk General Research Topic: Basic Research into the
Reduction Physics and Chemistry of Binding Interactions between
Engineer- Contaminants (Organics, Inorganics, Metallic) and Soil
ing Particles
Labora-
tory, Research Focus: The purpose of the basic research into
Cincinnati, soil- particle/contaminant binding interactions is to
OH understand better the types of interactions that are present
in order to design engineering systems intended to separate
the contaminants from the particles. Alternatively, for
certain classes of contaminant/particle combinations, the
binding forces may be too strong and will limit the
performance of practical cleanup technologies. This
research should define practical cleanup limits in theoretical
as well as empirical terms.
Duration of Effort: 3 years
Lab Contact: Frank Freestone Phone: 201/321-6632
Robert S. General Research Topic: Measurement of Multiphase
Kerr Fluids in Laboratory Soil Columns
Environ-
mental Research Focus: The purposes of this research are to; (1)
Research develop instrumental methods for measuring air, water, and
Labora- hydrocarbon in a packed soil column under laboratory
tory, conditions, (2) evaluate gamma ray, X-ray, and Nuclear
Ada, OK Magnetic Resonance (NMR) for the purpose of these
measurements, and (3) develop algorithms to analyze the
experimental data and generate tomographic maps of slices
through the soil column.
Duration of Effort: 1 to 2 years
Lab Contact: J. Weaver Phone: 405/332-8800
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Environ-
mental
Monitor-
ing
Systems
Labora-
tory,
Cincin-
nati.OH
Environ-
mental
Research
Labora-
tory,
Corval-
lis.OR
General Research Topic: Development of Analytical
Methods for Organic Disinfection By- Products in Drinking
Water
Research Focus: Disinfection of drinking water with chlorine
has been in use for many years. In the last 15 years, a
number of chemical by-products of the disinfection process
have been discovered, and questions raised about the po-
tential adverse health effects of these materials. Studies of
alternative disinfection agents, including ozone, have shown
that the nature and concentration of disinfection by-
productsis a complex function of a number of process
variables. Laboratory analytical methods are needed to
ascertain the nature and concentration of organic
disinfection by-products produced by chlorine, ozone, and
other agents in various types of source waters. Additional
real-time methods are needed for process control in water
treatment plants. The most efficient and powerful
instrumental analytical techniques will be applied in this
research.
Duration of Effort: 3 years
Lab Contact: William Budde Phone: 513/569-7309
General Research Topic 1: Improved Statistical Methods
for Evaluating Ecological Monitoring Data
Research Focus: Regional environmental monitoring
generates spatially distributed data on ecosystem status
over time. The dynamic nature of ecosystems and the
spatial structure arising from geographical effects induce
temporal and spatial correlation in observations of regional
ecosystem status. Existing statistical methods are not well
suited to extracting population descriptions, population
trends, or associations from short time series of data with
temporal and spatial correlation. Statistical methods
(perhaps utilizing methods for short time series, or Bayesian
approaches) need to be developed to provide regional
summary description of status to estimate and test for
trends in status and to explore associations between
changes in status in several ecosystems, or between
changes in status and explanatory variables.
Duration of Effort: 1 to 2 years
Lab Contact: Daniel H. McKenzie Phone: 503/757-4666
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General Research Topic 2: Effect of Ozone on Woody
Plants
Research Focus: Research is needed on the mechanism of
action of ozone at two levels: (I) atmospheric-foliar
interaction, including the role of temporal dynamics in this
interaction; and (2) carbon budget, i.e., separating direct
from indirect effects on carbon assimilation, translocation,
and allocation. The mechanistic studies would include
ultrastructural and biochemical studies of both susceptible
and non-susceptible species. This research is part of an
overall effort to parameterize a whole-tree process model to
be used in describing potential effects of atmospheric
pollutants on tree growth and physiology.
Duration of Effort: 1 to 2 years
Lab Contact: William Hogsett Phone: 503/757-4632
General Research Topic 3: Ecological Indicators of
Landscape-Level Environmental Stress
Research Focus: It is increasingly evident that many of the
stressors of natural ecosystems are generated from the
landscape or watershed. Unlike point sources or pollution
that are relatively easy to identify and typically have clear
impacts, diffuse pollution and physical changes are likely to
have chronic versus acute effects and are often so
widespread that they are considered natural or
nonregulatable. In ORD's Environmental Monitoring and
Assessment Program (EMAP), Global Climate, and Wetland
research programs, these landscape-level stressors are also
critical. The Laboratory is seeking a visiting scientist to
work with on-site scientists, regional geographers, and
landscape ecologists who are developing indices of
landscape-level stress (ecoindicators).
Duration of Effort: 2 to 3 years
Lab Contact: Phil Larsen Phone: 503/757-4666
General Research Topic 4: Indicators of the Ecological
Health of Wetlands
Research Focus: Research in developing methods for
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP)
Inland Wetlands to assess indicators of wetland health
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(ecoindicators), including development of regional suites of
indicators to assess wetland ecological conditions, definition
of potential stressors on wetland health, percent of the
target population that is nominal or subnominal, distinction
between contradictory indications of status among the
various indicators, and possible cause of the subnominal
condition. Applicants must be familiar with the major
wetland ecosystems of the United States, wetland
hydrology, other factors influencing wetland "health," natural
and anthropogenic stressors, and indicators for monitoring
the effects of these stressors. Research will be closely
coordinated with other ongoing Laboratory research.
Duration of Effort: 2 to 3 years
Lab Contact: Eric Preston Phone: 503/757-4666
General Research Topic 5: Spatial Analysis of a National
Environmental Database
Research Focus: The current design of the EPA
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP)
proposes to collect and monitor ecological data from over
12,000 Nationwide stations over a four-year cycle. Basic
methodologies are needed for combining field data with
spatial data into a GIS, and for using the resulting GIS to
monitor and diagnose trends. The data base will be unique
in that it will be of large size, extensive coverage, high
sampling frequency, and will involve several Federal
agencies. Experience with GIS and spatial analysis,
especially spatial statistics, is desired in the individual who
will analyze this data base. Research will be closely tied to
other ongoing research in EMAP and other areas.
Duration of Effort: 2 to 3 years
Lab Contact: Dan McKenzie Phone: 503/757-4666
General Research Topic 6: Effects of Airborne Toxic
Chemicals Ecosystems
Research Focus: Research will focus on the effects of
chronic exposures to low concentrations of atmospherically
transported toxic chemicals (agricultural/industrial organics
and heavy metals) to determine: (1) the exposure regime
(concentration, frequency, and duration of the original
chemical input; potential transformation products;
bioavailability; partitioning of the chemical into ecosystem
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components; remobilization from temporary sinks; loss from
the ecosystem through irreversible partitioning or chemical
degradation), (2) direct biological effects (physiological,
morphological, behavioral; interactions with other chemicals
resulting in antagonistic to synergistic responses), (3)
biomagnification in food chains, and (4) effects on
ecosystem structure and function (compositional alterations,
primary productivity, decomposition, and nutrient cycling).
Duration of Effort: 1 to 3 years
Lab Contact: David T. Tingey Phone: 503/757-4621
General Research Topic 7: Cumulative Effects of
Wetland Loss on Hydrologic Functions of Watersheds
Research Focus: Research is needed to develop methods
to assess cumulative effects of wetland impacts, including
loss, on hydrologic function (flood alteration). Research
includes integration of simple hydrologic models (e.g., Soil
Conservation Service, Corps of Engineers) into overall
model of landscape and wetland function. Research will
help define appropriate indices of hydrologic function within
the watershed, validate and test assessment methods using
existing data, and involve hydrologic and landscape theory
development, and processing of GIS and hydrologic data
bases. Research will be closely coordinated with other
ongoing research.
Duration of Effort: 2 to 3 years
Lab Contact: Eric M. Preston Phone: 503/757-4666
General Research Topic 8: Ecoindicators Using
Biological Community or Assemblage Measures
Research Focus: Recent work with stream fish
assemblages indicates that a community-based index such
as Karr's Integrated Biological Index is an effective measure
of community health. Related research on
macroinvertebrates is beginning to show similar usefulness.
The keys to this approach seem to be an understanding of
the trophic, taxonomic, and individual characteristics that
indicate health or deterioration. In biodiversity and
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP)
research, Corvallis scientists are evaluating indicators or
indices for plankton, and wetland, and upland communities.
Research emphasis is with chemical, physical (flow, habitat
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structure, climate), and biological (introduced species,
harvest) stressors. A member of the research team needs to
look at ecoindicators using community or assemblage
measures.
Duration of Effort: 2 to 3 years
Lab Contact: Phil Larsen Phone: 503/757-4666
General Research Topic 9: Changes in Below-Ground
Processes in Woody Plants in Response to Natural and
Anthropogenic Environmental Stress
Research Focus: Physiological studies and model
development is underway for carbon allocation and
utilization for growth and maintenance of root processes,
including associated symbiotic organisms. Additional
research needs include 1) root growth, phenology and
turnover, 2) root architecture, 3) root respiration, 4) nutrient
acquisition, 5) water uptake, and 6) scaling from seedling to
mature trees. This research is part of an overall effort to
generate a whole-tree process model to be used in
describing potential effects of atmospheric pollutants on tree
growth and physiology. Close collaboration with the rest of
the research team is expected.
Duration of Effort: 1 to 2 years
Lab Contact: William Hogsett Phone: 503/757-4632
General Research Topic 10: Environmental
Biotechnology Risk Assessment
Research Focus: The development of model systems to
identify the ecological effects of genetically engineered
microbes (OEMs) on structural/functional aspects of
microbial or plant ecosystems is a high research priority to
EPA. Several model systems have been identified, but
further research is needed to identify additional models. It
is also necessary to pursue current models to identify the
ecological bases for the observed effects. Research will be
conducted in contained microcosm units in a special facility
maintained at Corvallis. The research emphasizes
soil/plant/invertebrate ecosystem interactions. Visiting
scientists will work closely with other members of the
research team.
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Duration of Effort: 1 to 2 years
Lab Contact: Ramon Seidler Phone: 503/757-4661
General Research Topic 11: Effects of Multiple Stresses
on Biodiversity
Research Focus: The purpose of ORD's biodiversity
research is to address several EPA policy issues: (1) what
and where are the biodiversity resources at risk? (2) what
are the major environmental stressors, how do they interact,
and what are their impacts on biodiversity? (3) what are the
regulatory and policy options for controlling impacts on
biodiversity? Research is needed on the effects of multiple
stressors, including climate change, airborne pollutants,
invasively introduced organisms, and land-use changes on
elements of biodiversity. Research will be closely
coordinated with other ongoing research on biodiversity as
affected by climate change, land-use practices, and airborne
pollutants.
Duration of Effort: 3 years
Lab Contact: Peter A. Beedlow Phone: 503/757-4791
General Research Topic 12: Biogenic Emissions as
Feedback Processes to Climate Change
Research Focus: Radiatively important trace species
emitted from natural and managed ecosystems are a
significant component of the climate change process. There
is a need to develop an understanding of the variables that
drive emission rates or form sinks for diverse ecosystems,
and to develop a quantitative understanding of the potential
these species have in amplifying or ameliorating the degree
of climate change. This may include work on emissions
mechanisms at the organism level, field measurements of
emissions, or work on scaling-up to regional and global
levels, and analysis of the global scale processes.
Duration of Effort: 1 to 3 years
Lab Contact: Roger Blair Phone: 503/757-4806
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General Research Topic 13: Ecological Effects of Global
Climatic Change
Research Focus: Global climatic change could significantly
affect the distribution and abundance of biotic and abiotic
resources in the United States and around the world.
Research is needed to develop methods to quantify the
potential effects of climatic change, especially on landscape
and regional scales. Projecting impacts on vegetation
(especially forests and water-limited lands), biodiversity,
agroecosystems, water resources, regional energy balance,
and trace gas emissions are of particular importance.
Duration of Effort: 3 years
Lab Contact: Peter A. Beedlow Phone: 503/757-4791
General Research Topic 14: Population Parameters
Sensitive to Stress
Research Focus: Research is needed to determine the
relative significance of direct and indirect stresses on
populations of plants and animals, including ecologically
based approaches. It is necessary to integrate information
from both direct and indirect, natural and anthropogenic
influences. Direct effects of stressors on populations impact
population stability and vigor, while indirect effects alter
populations by producing changes in the quality of cover or
habitat, quality, abundance, and distribution of food
resources, or abundance and distribution of competitors and
predators. In order to adequately assess the potential risk of
a stressor to populations, each of these elements must be
considered. The impact of natural and anthropogenic
stressors on populations will be evaluated at each potential
level of exposure. Computer and conceptual models will be
utilized to integrate laboratory and field data to provide an
integrated assessment of the effects of stressors on
populations.
Duration of Effort: 1 to 2 years
Lab Contact: Bill A. Williams Phone: 503/757-4679
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Atmos-
pheric
Research
and
Exposure
Assess-
ment
Labora-
tory,
Research
Triangle
Park, NC
General Research Topic 15: Development of DNA
Probes to Identify and Track Fungi, Viruses, and Bacteria in
Populations
Research Focus: Tracking and identification of
ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi is a means to assess risk to
ecosystems from anthropogenic stresses (engineered ECM
fungi, pollutants, etc.). New techniques in molecular biology
are being used to evaluate community structure within the
rhizosphere and will provide insight to the genetic
communication within mycorrhizosphere communities.
These interactions will be expanded to evaluate the
subsequent role of stressors on plant and animal
populations and communities. The research will focus on
the integration of information on survival (duration, mode of
survival, influential environmental interactions) and
information on multiplication and replication of genetic
components. The work will expand to include bacteria and
fungi, eventually leading to the ability to track organisms in
soil, on plant surfaces, and in animals. This work will
include development and valuation of new DNA-probes that
will provide the framework for new sequencing methods of
rRNA and rDNA from ECM fungi and other mycorrhizal
fungi.
Duration of Effort: 1 to 2 years
Lab Contact: Bill A. Williams Phone: 503/757-4679
General Research Topic 1: Development of Human
Exposure Models to Accurately Predict Exposures to
Environmental Pollutants
Research Focus: A large data base has been collected in
the Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM)
programs for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs),
pesticides and carbon monoxide. Using the infor
mation gathered on human activity patterns and micro-
environmental concentrations, a statistical model
can be developed and validated which will
account for the contribution of the major sources.
Possible approaches may include source receptor
modeling and stochastic multivariate modeling.
Duration of Effort: 2 years
Lab Contact: William Nelson Phone: 919/541-3184
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General Research Topic 2: Management and
Assessment of Quality Assurance Data from Large Air
Pollution Monitoring Programs
Research Focus: This laboratory is involved in the
collection of air quality data for numerous national or
otherwise large scale monitoring projects. Current Agency
quality assurance policy and requirements (for regulated air
pollutant monitoring) result in the generation of very large
and complex data bases for assessing and characterizing
the quality of the primary data. Currently, these data are
assessed under the minimum requirements of existing
policy and regulations. Important and pertinent information,
such as sampler performance, methodology, problem areas,
and geographical effects on precision and accuracy, could
be obtained with a definitive and thorough analysis of these
data bases. This research will be focused on developing
better quality assurance data bases in improved formats and
procedures for interpreting and assessing the data.
Duration of Effort: 2 years
Lab Contact: William Mitchell Phone: 919/541-2769
General Research Topic 3: Laboratory Simulation of
Buoyant Plume Penetration of Elevated Inversions
Research Focus: The Fluid Modeling Facility (FMF) is
about to embark on a new project involving laboratory
simulation of atmospheric diffusion in the convective
boundary layer (CBL). Highly buoyant plumes released in
the CBL rise rapidly to the top of the CBL, then mix
gradually downwards to the ground surface. Recent field
experiments have shown that the maximum surface
concentrations around tall stacks occur under these
conditions when effluent is trapped within a shallow mixed
layer. The laboratory convective-tank studies will attempt to
simulate the dynamics of these CBL processes. The FMF
desires the expertise of an accomplished researcher to
spearhead these studies.
Duration of Effort: 3 years
Lab Contact: William Snyder Phone: 919/541-1198
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Environ- General Research Topic 1: Use of Remote Sensing
mental Digital Imagery, in Conjunction with Geographic Information
Monitor- Systems (GIS), to Delineate, Map, and Monitor Ecosystems
ing
Systems Research Focus: Research is needed (1) on the use of
Labora- aircraft MSS, satellite TM, SPOT and AVHRR digital imag -
tory, ery to delineate, map, and produce data base products for
Las Vegas, ecosystem evaluations; and (2) to evaluate the use of new
NV passive sensor systems using prototype aircraft sensors.
There is also a need to (1) demonstrate the use of map
products and digital data base products to evaluate the
impacts associated with specific contaminant insults,
hydrologic perturbations, and Section 404 activities on both
a site specific and regional basis and (2) to develop and
demonstrate the use of GIS to perform remote sensing data
analysis to develop data base products for input into
ecosystem models.
Duration of Effort: 2 years
Lab Contact: Ross Lunetta Phone: 702/798-2175
Human General Research Topic 1: Research into the Application
Health of Biostatistical and Mathematical Modelling Approaches to
Assess-, Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity.Data for Human
ment Health Risk Assessment
Group
(HHAG) Research Focus: The Reproductive and Developmental
Office of Toxicity Branch of th Human Health Assessment Group is
Health increasingly called on by Agency program offices to provide
and scientific support for risk assessment decisions on chemi-
Environ- cals that have the potential to adversely affect reproductive
mental and developmental processes in humans. There are several
Assess- areas of uncertainty inherent in the risk assessment
ment, process, one of the primary ones being the extrapolation
Washing- and prediction of risks to low doses usually encountered by
ton, DC humans from the animal data available. The currently-used
RfD method limits examination of dose-response
relationships and does not provide any estimate of risk.
This project would focus on the need for more quantitative
approaches to noncancer risk assessment, specifically
reproductive and developmental toxicity, through both
intramural and extramural efforts aimed at the examination
of modelling approaches, including the development of
biologically-based dose-response models.
Duration of Effort: 3 years
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Office Contact Carole Kimmel Phone: 202/382-7331
General Research Topic 2: Research in Methods
Development and Risk Assessment Approaches to Evaluate
Female Reproductive Toxicity
Research Focus: The methods used to determine adverse
effects on the female reproductive system are less
developed compared to the male reproductive and
developmental toxicity areas. The proposed female
reproductive toxicity risk assessment guidelines and the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Science Advisory
Board review identified several areas of research needed to
improve EPA's ability to detect and assess the risk from
exposure to female reproductive toxicants. Research efforts
need to focus on evaluation of estrous cycle normality,
oocyte toxicity, premature reproductive failure,
pharmacokinetics, etc., and development of criteria for data
interpretation for the risk assessment process. The
Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Branch has
the research lead in this area, however, the Branch lacks
appropriate expertise to meet the present and future needs
and challenges in the area of female reproductive risk
assessment.
Duration of Effort: 3 years
Office Contact: Bob Sonawane Phone: 202/382-7495
General Research Topic 3: Pharmacokinetics Modeling:
Development of Appropriate Models for Incorporation of
Available Relevant Metabolism and PK Data into Risk
Assessment
Research Focus: Because pk modeling allows predictions
useful in chemical hazard evaluation and enhances the
prospect of projecting risk based on causal mechanisms, it
is an area of considerable importance to the risk
assessment process. The Human Health Assessment
Group is involved in various aspects of incorporating
metabolism and other relevant pk data into risk assessment
and could benefit from the expertise of a visiting
pharmacologist with a strong background in principles and
mechanisms of drug action and pk modeling. Where
sufficient information exists, physiologically-based pk
models are developed, but importantly, creative
interpretation of the often limited available metabolism/pk
data for incorporation into risk assessments through other
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types of pk models when data at hand is too sparse for
meaningful development of a physiologically based model
must be accomplished. This will allow for better use of
existing data.
Duration of Effort: 1 1/2 years
Office Contact: Jean Parker Phone: 2021382-7315
General Research Topic 4: Implications of Rat Kidney
Tumor Response for Cancer Risk Assessment in Humans
Research Focus: This research will be an analysis of the
accumulation of alpha2-microglobulins in response to
chemical stimulation and the potential association of the
accumulation of alpha2-microglobulins with tumorigenic
response. Implications for human cancer risk, on a
quantitative basis, will be included in the analysis.
Duration of Effort: 1 year
Office Contact: Herman Gibb Phone: 202/382-5720
General Research Topic 5: Prediction of Cancer Risk on
the Basis of Epidemiological Data
Research Focus: The objective of this research is to
investigate issues which arise when epidemiological data
are used for quantitative cancer risk assessment. The
issues include selection of a class of models (e.g. relative
risk vs. absolute risk) and dose-response functions (e.g.
simple multistage or biologically based), and optimal use of
data (e.g. use of person-year data counting from the
beginning or the termination of exposure). This research
will provide guidance for selecting a model to be used for a
given set of data and study conditions, and will help pave
the way to develop models that incorporate biological
information which may be available from humans or
animals.
Duration of Effort: 1 year
Contact: Chao Chen, Herman Gibb Phone: 202/382-5719
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