The innovation of the UM-SRP stems from conceptual innovation, state-of-the-art research, technical advancements, translation, and several unique partnerships. The focus on the impact of phthalate exposure on reproductive health responds to an emerging problem and requires comprehensive studies, such as those proposed by the UM-SRP.
By focusing on implementing interdisciplinary, community health-oriented, and technology development-driven research to reduce community exposure effectively, our program responds to real-life environmental threats that are relevant locally, nationally, and globally. Indeed, plastic pollution and exposure to phthalates are global problems. The convergence of environmental toxicants and negative lifestyle factors, such as disruption of circadian rhythms, constitutes a real threat that has not yet been systematically evaluated, contributing to the novelty of the UM-SRP.
Our proposal also strongly responds to the environmental problems in Florida, which is at the forefront of environmental problems that are being aggravated by severe weather conditions that include severe storms, and high frequency of intense winds and hurricanes that have a continued negative impact on our population and infrastructure.
These extreme weather events threaten Superfund sites, making them prone to flooding and releasing environmental toxicants that would otherwise remain “contained.” The UM-SRP focused on the HAFB Superfund site and the communities that live close to this Superfund site. As pointed out earlier, the HAFB Superfund site remains vulnerable to flooding and is perceived as a threat to communities that are located in its proximity. This threat will only increase in the future, as the area surrounding the HAFB site is being rezoned for residential and commercial purposes.
To that end, the UM-SRP developed a partnership with the UM’s Climate Resilience Academy and the Miami-Dade County Office of Resilience. The Climate Resilience Academy is a novel unique UM initiative that focuses on exploring three intersecting thematic platforms that are vital for environmental challenges: Infrastructure and Environment, Human and Societal Health, and Economic Development.
The UM-SRP partners with the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science (Rosenstiel School), which offers unique facilities to evaluate the impacts of hurricanes and high temperatures on the environment. For example, the Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. SUSTAIN Laboratory (SUrge-STructure-Atmosphere INteraction) allows the simulation of category 5 hurricane force winds to model hurricane rapid intensification, storm surges, and wave dynamics. This is the only facility that can simulate hurricane 5 conditions in the US and will be available for our educational and outreach initiatives via the CEC, RETCC, and collaboration with community partners. Moreover, the Rosenstiel School recently acquired Broad Key, a 63-acre island located in the Florida Keys. This facility provides an ideal and innovative platform to launch field courses and conduct the proposed plastic pollution-related research on site.
Our program will offer several innovative, holistic, bi-directional community engagement approaches to develop and implement strategies to reduce community exposure to plastic toxicants. Through learning by doing, we propose directly involving high school students in the research teams. For example, they will collect environmental samples and report areas of flooding. The students will present their findings at school science fairs and competitions. Through the participation of community members in the research process, they will become more invested in obtaining tangible outcomes and their dissemination. Consequently, our proposed community engagement strategies will facilitate the translation of bench science to citizen’s science and engage the communities in sustainable lifestyle changes that can help them reduce their exposure. The CEC will utilize an outreach vehicle, known as the Game Changer Vehicle (GCV), to expand their efforts across South Florida and further engage the community in innovative outreach approaches. TheGCV also provides research opportunities, including biospecimen collection, to communities typically underrepresented in study participation. This innovative community outreach and engagement approach received the CIO 100 Award in 2023.
Our research translation approaches are also highly unique and innovative. The Research Translation Team is located at the School of Law, providing outstanding expertise for effective translation. The Team will take advantage of the already existing Environmental Justice Clinic and Public Health Environmental Clinic.