&ERA
National Center For Environmental Research (NCER)		
Region 9 Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Grants
USING SCIENCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN U.S. EPA REGION 9, THE PACIFIC SOUTHWEST REGION
Grants and Cooperative Agreements
The National Center for Environmental Re-
search's (NCER) Science to Achieve Results
(STAR) program funds research grants and
graduate fellowships in numerous environ-
mental science and engineering disciplines
through a competitive solicitation process and
independent peer review. The program en-
gages the nation's best scientists and engi-
neers in research that complements EPA's own
intramural research program and those of our
partners in other federal agencies. NCER also
establishes research centers in areas of na-
tional concern. Currently, these centers focus
on children's health, hazardous substances,
particulates, and estuarine/coastal monitoring.
STAR research is funded through Requests for
Applications (RFAs) that are derived from the
ORD Strategic Plan and from research plans for
specific topics developed by ORD. RFAs concen-
trate on areas of special significance to the EPA
mission. At present, STAR is focusing on the
health effects of particulate matter, drinking
water, water quality, global change, ecosystem
assessment and restoration, human health risk
assessment, endocrine disrupting chemicals,
pollution prevention and new technologies, chil-
dren's health, and socio-economic research.
STAR Program in Region 9
Since 1995 NCER has granted over $294 mil-
lion for 635 projects at numerous universities
in EPA Region 9. The funded research has fo-
cused on a wide range of environmental issues.
The following are examples of key STAR grants
in Region 9.
UC Davis Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCEH)
Director: Isaac N. Pessah, September 1, 2007 through August 31, 2011, Funding: $7,500,000
Expected Results: The goals of the CCEH in the next five years are to: (1) better understand the
mechanisms by which environmental, immunologic, and molecular factors interact to influence the
risk and severity of autism; (2) identify early immunologic, environmental, and genomic markers
of susceptibility to autism; (3) develop mouse models of immunologic susceptibility to environ-
mental triggers and define the impact of these triggers on the development of complex behaviors,
key brain structures and neurotransmitter receptors relevant to autism; (4) translate our research
findings into diagnostic tools that can be used in clinical practice to predict early autism risk; and
(5) supply the community with accurate and timely information about autism risk factors.
San Joaquin Valley Aerosol Health Effects
Research Center (SAHERC)
Director: Anthony S. Wexler, October 1, 2005 through
September 30, 2010, Funding: $7,999,767
Expected Results: Epidemiological studies show a cor-
relation between elevated particulate matter concentra-
tions and increased rates of morbidity and mortality, but
these studies do not suggest the mechanisms or the par-
ticle properties that cause this correlation. The Center's
scientists will investigate the properties of the particles
that are responsible for these health effects, the metabo-
lism that underlies these effects, and the consequences
of chronic exposures, especially during childhood, that
make individuals more susceptible to adverse effects.
http://www.epa.QOv/ncer/arants/
Final DRAFT, STAR Program.pub 2/18/10gm

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STAR Fellowships
EPA's STAR graduate fellowship program sup-
ports master's and doctoral candidates in envi-
ronmental studies. Each year, students in the
United States compete for STAR fellowships
through a rigorous review process. Students
can pursue degrees in traditionally recognized
environmental disciplines as well as other fields
such as social anthropology, urban and regional
planning, and decision sciences. Since the pro-
gram began in 1995, EPA has awarded approxi-
mately 1,500 STAR fellowships to students in
every state and most territories. Fellowships
have helped educate new academic research-
ers, government scientists, science teachers,
and, environmental engineers.
STAR fellowships are intended to help defray
the ever-increasing costs associated with stud-
ies leading to advanced degrees in environ-
mental sciences. The actual amount awarded
per year will vary depending on the amount of
tuition and fees and the number of months the
stipend is needed.
Benefits of an EPA STAR Fellowship include: Up
to $37,000 per year of support, including
$12,000 per year for tuition and fees; $20,000
per year in a monthly stipend; and an annual
expense allowance of $5,000. Master's level
students can receive support for a maximum of
two years. Doctoral students can be supported
for a maximum of three years with funding
available, under certain circumstances, over a
period of four years, http://epa.aov/ncer/
fellow/
STAR Fellowships in Region 9
The following are some examples of STAR fel-
lowships that have recently been granted to
students attending universities in Region 9.
Sustainable Transportation in the Development Assessment Process: Exploring
Methods to Estimate Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Public Transit Mode Shares
Robert J. Schneider (2008) University of California - Berkeley,
Expected Results: This project will help create better methods of estimating pedestrian, bicycle,
and public transportation mode shares for proposed land developments. The findings can also pro-
vide the basis for community policies that seek to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, and decrease reliance on petroleum by supporting sustainable transportation choices.
Effluent-Dependent Waterways in the Southwest: Advancing Water Policy
through Ecological Analysis Margaret Susan White (2007) Arizona State University
Expected Results: Existing water policy frameworks are complex and fragmented; surface wa-
ter, groundwater, and effluent are managed separately and have differing levels of management.
Scientific studies offer a means for improving understanding of links among stream hydrology,
water quality, and riparian plant communities, thereby informing policy and management. This
work utilizes scientific analysis as a framework for informing regional planning and ecosystem
management and contributes the first characterization of the spatial patterns and temporal
changes of effluent-dependent waterways in Arizona. This research also presents the use of hy-
drologic studies on ecosystem structure and function to inform planning and policy models for ef-
fluent discharge points and reuse.
Structure and Function of Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaea and Bacteria Across
Physical-Chemical Gradients in the San Francisco Bay Estuary
Annika C. Mosier (2007) Stanford University
Expected Results: There is increasing concern about eutrophication of coastal ecosystems and
yet its specific effects on microorganisms are poorly understood, despite their fundamental role in
trophic interactions and geochemical cycling. The effects of eutrophication on estuarine ammonia
oxidizers are inextricably linked to the health of the entire ecosystem. This study will provide criti-
cal information illuminating the molecular microbial ecology of ammonia oxidizers in San Francisco
Bay, and the effects environmental factors have on their metabolism. This data should ultimately
lead to informed management and policy decisions regarding nutrient loads to the estuary. These
findings should be broadly applicable to estuaries around the world.

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