The first Harvard-NIEHS Center Retreat was held at MIT Endicott House in Dedham, MA.  The focus of this retreat was on informing all the Center members of the facilities and research opportunities available within the Center. Dr. Joseph Brain opened the retreat, welcoming and introducing the External Advisory Committee members attending, and gave an introduction to the Centers and Cores. The first session was a review of the Facilities Cores-"What's New and What's Promising for New Collaborations."  Dr. Lester Kobzik described the Biological Analyses Core including the bioimaging, flow cytometry, and electron microscopy, plus the new proteomics and molecular biology facilities.  Dr. Louise Ryan described the Environmental Statistics Core including capacity in spatial analysis, physiologically-based modeling, and genetic epidemiology.  Dr. John Spengler presented the Exposures and Environmental Analyses Core, describing the organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, environmental microbiology, aerosol properties, trace metals, and inhalation laboratories.

During the lunch break, there was viewing of posters by trainees and of displays by the Community Outreach and Education Core.  The afternoon session presented "The Research Cores-What's New and What's Promising for New Collaborations." Work being done by each of the Research Cores was presented by the Core Directors - Dr. Douglas Dockery presenting the Particles Core, Dr. Howard Hu the Metals Core, and Dr, Russ Hauser the Organics Core.  Finally, Ann Backus presented the activities of the Community Outreach and Education Program Core.  Approximately 100 people attended; this initial retreat was effective in informing the Center's community of investigators of the available facilities and opportunities for collaboration.