The NIOSH-funded Harvard T.H. Chan Education and Research Center (ERC) announces the availability of funds to support pilot projects in Region 1 (all New England states). The program supports small research projects conducted by early investigators including student investigators at the predoctoral stages, postdoctoral trainees, and/or by new/junior faculty investigators. Project proposals should address concerns in one or more of the occupational safety and health areas of occupational hygiene, occupational epidemiology, occupational health services, occupational medicine, or occupational health nursing. Investigators have 18 months from the project start date to complete their research.
Pilot project awards
2024–2025
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) | Trainee(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Life and Return to Work in Lung Cancer Survivors | 2024–2025 | David Christiani | Mi-Sun Lee |
| Using Data for Injury and Violence Prevention Among Massachusetts Healthcare Workers | 2024–2025 | Devan Hawkins | Sundus Siddique |
| Building a Requiem for Rikers Island: Examining the Carceral Harms Experienced by People within New York City’s Penal Colony | 2024–2025 | Nancy Krieger | Jasmine Graves |
| Thriving from Work: Assessment and Impact of Older Worker Preferences | 2024–2025 | Susan Peters, Cal Halvorsen | Maren Wright Voss |
2023–2024
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) | Trainee(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breaking the Sweat: Rethinking Heat Stress Metrics in Extreme Conditions | 2023-2024 | Petros Koutrakis, Anna Oppenheimer | Barrak Alahmad |
| Factors that Influence the Pipeline of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Training Programs | 2023-2024 | Stefanos Kales | Matthew Hamm |
| Characterizing Experiences of Workplace Violence among Hospital Patient Care Employees | 2023-2024 | Erika Sabbath | Ricardo Diego Suárez Rojas |
| School inner city air study: Teacher Occupational Exposure to Respiratory Viruses in Elementary Schools | 2023-2024 | Peggy Lai | Ye Sun |
2022–2023
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) | Trainee(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physiologic Effects of Night Shift on Pregnant Workers | 2022-2023 | Elsja-Agarwarl, Erika Sabbath | Madeleine Puissant |
| Association Between Disinfectant Products in the Workplace and Menstrual Cycle Irregularities Among Healthcare Professionals |
2022-2023 | Carmen Messerlian | Montana Kekaimalu Hunter |
| Reducing Respiratory Infectious Disease Transmission in Office Environment | 2022-2023 | Joe Allen | Gen Pei |
2021–2022
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) | Trainee(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endocrine disruption and menstrual cycle length in hair salon workers | 2021-2022 | D. Christiani, S. Mahalingaiah | Emily Silva |
| Longer-term effects of existing academy training and a healthy lifestyle intervention incorporated training on fire recruits | 2021-2022 | S. Kales | Fan-Yun Lan |
| Thriving from work: Workplaces and communities | 2021-2022 | S. Peters, G. Wagner |
Dena Jevadi |
| Identifying factors that influence firefighters’ exposure reduction practices and well-being | 2021-2022 | G. Sorensen, G. Wagner |
Winnie Chin |
| Environmental and Occupational Health in Carceral Facilities | 2021-2022 | J. Allen | Naila Segule |
| 2-cycle Lawn and Garden Equipment Emissions Testing | 2021-2022 | D. Christiani, J. Banks |
James Medeiros |
2020–2021
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) | Trainee(s) |
| Substance Use Provider Occupational Wellbeing Study: Identifying Sources of Stress and Resilience Among Frontline Substance Use Workers in Massachusetts | 2020- 2021 | G. Sorensen E. Sabbath |
Elisabeth Stelson |
| Total Fluorine as a Surrogate for PFAS Content in Dust in Healthy vs. Conventional Buildings | 2020-2021 | J. Allen | Anna Young |
| Safety and Performance Monitoring During Occupational Work | 2020-2021 | D. Casa | Margaret Morrissey |
| The Impact of Occupational Asbestos on Lung Cancer Recurrence and Progression | 2020-2021 | D. Christiani | Shelton Lo |
| Reducing Red Bag Waste in the Operating Room | 2020-2021 | L. Nguyen | Elizabeth Yates |
2019–2020
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) | Trainee(s) |
| Development and validation of a measure of work-related wellbeing in the U.S. workforce | 2019-2020 | G. Wagner G. Sorensen |
Susan Peters |
| Development of Toxic Inhalation iPhone Application (TIIA) for Epidemiologic Studies | 2019-2020 | D. Christiani J.K. Onnela |
Mi-Sun Lee |
| How can we better retain, support, and strengthen public child welfare workers? | 2019-2020 | Erika Sabbath | Kim Hokanson |
| Occupational health and safety implications of nano-enabled building materials (NEBMs) across their lifecycle |
2019-2020 | P. Demokritou D. Christiani Q. Lu |
Dilpreet Singh, Hae-Ryung Park |
| Effect of Visual-Audio Biophilic Interactions in Open-plan Office on Stress and Cognitive Function | 2019-2020 | J.D. Spengler R.A. Rogers |
Jie Yin |
| Transmission Risk of Airborne Pathogens among Healthcare Workers in the New England Region | 2019-2020 | J. Allen E. Sabbath |
Parham Azimi |
2018–2019
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) | Trainee(s) |
| Evaluating the feasibility of using a Fitbit to assess work activity exposures | 2018-2019 | J. Garza | Brittany Gaines |
| Exploring the conditions of work and contextual mechanisms that influence return-to-work following work-related injury in a cohort of patient care workers in Massachusetts | 2018-2019 | G. Sorensen E. Sabbath |
Susan E. Peters |
| Assessing occupational exposures in the Growing Up Today Study | 2018-2019 | J. Hart R. Tamimi |
Elise Elliott |
| Work Design and Well-being in Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations: Understanding organizational factors that impact healthcare worker well-being in complex care management programs | 2018-2019 | C. Bishop | Yaminette Diaz-Linhart |
| Investigating facilitators and barriers to the implementation of policies, programs, and practices supportive of positive working conditions for patient-care workers in hospital settings | 2018-2019 | G. Sorensen E. Sabbath |
María Andrée López Gómez |
| MEAD: Bone Metal Biokinetic Study | 2018-2019 | M. Weisskopf A. Apecht |
Vy T. Nguyen |
2017–2018
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) | Trainee(s) |
| Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Implications During Incineration/Thermal Decomposition of Nano-Enabled Building Materials | 2017-2018 | P. Demokritou | Dilpreet Singh |
| Evaluation of the efficacy of exoskeletons in reducing injury risk factors during manual material handling (MMH) activities | 2017-2018 | B. Buchholz R. Hauser |
Jose Pacheco-Saya |
| Validating the use of wearable technology and machine learning for exposure assessment of workers to uneven surfaces | 2017-2018 | B. Hu J. Dennerlein |
Sarah Coppola |
| Assessing Health Impact of Biophilic Design for Indoor Work Environment in Virtual Reality | 2017-2018 | J. Allen | Jie Yin |
| Airplane Pilot Performance on 21 Maneuvers in a Flight Simulator under Varying Carbon Dioxide Concentrations | 2017-2018 | J.Allen | Leslie Cadet |
2016–2017
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Gene-gene and gene-endotoxin interactions in lung function decline among cotton textile workers in the Shanghai Textile Worker Cohort Study | 2016-2017 | D. Christiani |
| Asbestos exposure, cigarette smoking, and global 5-hydroxymethyl-cytosine alterations in the Boston Lung Cancer Survival Cohort | 2016-2017 | D. Christiani |
| Identifying Sources of Exposure in Nail Salon Workers to Inform Targeted Interventions | 2016-2017 | J. Allen |
| Nanoscale Size Effect on Hexavalent Chromium Stability in Welding Fume | 2016-2017 | T. Eager |
2015–2016
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) |
| Assessing Ambient Exposures Firefighters Encounter while at the Fire Station: A Feasibility Study | 2015-2016 | E. Sparer, G. Sorensen |
| Case-Control Study of Occupational Exposures and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Risk in the Northeastern USA | 2015-2016 | J. Rhee, D. Christiani |
| Microbial Markers of Electronic Cigarettes (EC) Exposure | 2015-2016 | M. Lee, D. Christiani |
| The Effect of Metal Exposure on sleep apnea and insomnia between different occupations; Findings from the American National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2010 | 2015-2016 | N. Diao, D. Christiani |
| Assessments of Exposures to Flame Retardants in Construction | 2015-2016 | C. Carignan, D. Bello |
2014–2015
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) |
| High Resolution CT Scan Assessment of the Lung in Asymptomatic Welders | 2014-2015 | A. Gaffney, D. Christiani |
| A Mixed-Method Characterization of Scheduling Control Among Food-Service Workers | 2014-2015 | D. Hurtado, G. Sorensen |
| The Effect of the Occupational Metagenome on the Upper Respiratory Microbiome in Animal Care | 2014-2015 | C. North, P. Lai |
| The Relationship Between Musculoskeletal Pain and Length of Time Spent Working on Commercial Construction Sites – The Workers’ Experience | 2014-2015 | E. Sparer, J. Dennerlein |
| Evaluation of Safe Patient Handling Devices for Use by Home Care Aides | 2014-2015 | C. Sun, B. Buchholz |
| Process and Injury Risk Analysis for Brigham and Women’s Linen Collection Service | 2014-2015 | E. Teeple, J. Katz |
2013–2014
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) |
| Audio-3 soundScreen Kiosk (audiometer) Feasibility Study | 2013-2014 | S. MacDonald, A. Backus |
| A Metalomics Approach to Analysis of Biomarkers of Metal Fume Exposure | 2013-2014 | J. Zhang, D. Christiani |
| Integrating “Omics” Techniques to Identify Biologically Significant Genes for Occupationally-Related Health Effects | 2013-2014 | Z. Zhu, D. Christiani |
| Investigating the Burden of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Minority Home Health Aides using a Novel Sequential Mixed-Method Approach | 2013-2014 | L. Murphy, R. Goldman |
| Entry Fitness Levels and Subsequent Academy Performance Outcomes in Massachusetts Police Recruits | 2013-2014 | M. Shusko, S. Kales |
| Testing of Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes for Airborne Infection Control | 2013-2014 | S. Milonova, S. Rudnick |
| Physicochemical and Morphological Characterization of Nanoparticles Emitted from Photocopiers | 2013-2014 | J. Martin, D. Bello |
2012–2013
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) |
| Sudden cardiac deaths in US police officers: duty specific risks | 2012-2013 | V. Varvarigou, S. Kales |
| Examination of Safety and Ergonomic Climates in Relation to Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in a Sample of New England Construction Workers | 2012-2013 | L. Murphy, J. Dennerlein |
| Protecting Every Construction worker’s Knee (PECK) | 2012-2013 | O. Arias, J. Katz |
| Development and Validation of an Ergonomic Survey Instrument among New England Construction Workers | 2012-2013 | E. Sparer, J. Dennerlein |
| Arsenic-Induced Toxicity in Primary Urothelial Cells | 2012-2013 | M. Braun, A. Holmes |
| Neurophysiologic Response to Traffic Pollution | 2012-2013 | E. Wilker, M. Mittleman |
| Occupational Polycylic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Exposures and Cardiac Health Effects in a Cohort of Boilermakers | 2012-2013 | P. Umukoro, D. Christiani |
| Public policy changes in nursing home reimbursement and health of direct-care workers | 2012-2013 | E. Sabbath, C. Okechukwu |
2011–2012
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) |
| The Role of DNA Methylation of the Cardiopulmonary Effects of Particulate Exposure in Biomarkers | 2011-2012 | T. Fan, D. Christiani |
| Piloting Cognitive Learning Tasks in an Occupational Cohort | 2011-2012 | M. Weisskopf, R. Grashow, J. Braun |
| Cardiovascular and Stress Responses to Short-Term Noise Exposure | 2011-2012 | J. Cavallari, E. Walker, A. Brammer, M. Cherniack, S. Fang, M. Mittleman |
| Investigation of Open-Cell Drop Ceiling Louvers for Use in Upper-Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation | 2011-2012 | J. Linnes |
| Biomechanics of Thumbing during Tablet Use | 2011-2012 | M. Trudeau, J. Dennerlein |
| PM2.5 Exposures of Employees in the Longwood Medical Area (LMA) who Commute by Bike | 2011-2012 | M. Tumpney, A. Backus |
| Predictors of Functional Limitations Related to Musculoskeletal Pain in Clinical Staff of Nursing Homes | 2011-2012 | L. Punnett, G. Kernan, |
| The Relationship between Job Safety and Contractor Utilization in the Mining Industry | 2011-2012 | M. Buessing |
| Upper Extremity Kinematics and Kinetics among Computer Workers with Hand Osteoarthritis | 2011-2012 | J. Dennerlein, M. Trudeau |
2010–2011
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) |
| Biomarkers Assessment of Fine Particle-Induced Vascular Changes in Wildland Firefighters | 2010-2011 | D. Gaughan, D. Christiani |
| Participatory Action Research Approach to Solve Problems Associated with Drywall Handling Tasks | 2010-2011 | B. Buchholz, P. Dasgupta |
| Analysis of the Pressure on the Knee among Floor Coverers | 2010-2011 | B. Buchholz, X. Jing |
| Validating Novel Biomarkers of Manganese Exposure and Manganese Toxicity in a Population of Welders | 2010-2011 | M. Weisskopf, R. Grashow |
| Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Driver-Simulator Performance and Diagnosis of OSA | 2010-2011 | S. Kales, C. Zhang, A. Malhotr, S. Gautam |
| Metabonomic Applications in Assessing Occupational Exposure to Nano-Metallic Particles derived from Welding Fume | 2010-2011 | C. Chang, D. Christiani |
| Using Transparency to Increase Awareness of Chemical Hazards in University Laboratories | 2010-2011 | M.Weil, R. Clapp, K. Geiser |
| Integrative Approach to Gene Expression and Genotype Profiling of Mice and Humans Chronically Exposed to Inhaled Endotoxin | 2010-2011 | P. Lai, D. Christiani |
2009–2010
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) |
| An Unrecognized Source of Exposure to Bisphenol A: Receipts? | 2009-2010 | S. Ehrlich, R. Hauser |
| Determining the Dermal Penetration and Toxicity Profile of Quantum Dots | 2009-2010 | M. Ellenbecker, S. Tsai |
| Characterization of Metallic Nanoparticles Derived in Welding Fume, and Evaluation of its Association to Adverse Cardiovascular Outcome in Humans | 2009-2010 | D. Christiani, C. Chang |
| Comparing Rates of Injury for Sharps Medical Devices with Safety Features in Massachusetts Hospitals | 2009-2010 | D. Kriebel, A. Ali |
| EPA Diesel Engine Replacement Program Effect on Lobster Boat Occupational Air Pollution Exposure and Health Outcomes | 2009-2010 | R. Herrick, A. Piedmont, A. Backus |
| University Students’ Notebook Use | 2009-2010 | K. Jacobs, G. Foley |
2008–2009
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) |
| Assessing Noise and Chemical Exposures in Farm Youth | 2008-2009 | M. Kile, C. Ronk |
| Exposure Assessment of Healthcare Industry Employees: Inter-Method Agreement of Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Exposures between Direct Observation and Self-Reports | 2008-2009 | L. Punnet, J. Tessler |
| Gene-Environment Interactions in Newly Hired Textile Workers | 2008-2009 | E. Eisen, D. Christiani, A. Mehta |
| Work Arrangements in Patient Care and Musculoskeletal Injuries in Nurses: The Effect of Work Schedules, Availability of Resources for Lifting Assistance, and Various Forms of Communication for Patient Hand-Off | 2008-2009 | E. McNeely, P. Lee |
| Occupational Exposure to Metal-Rich PM2.5 and DNA Methylation | 2008-2009 | M. Kile, A. Baccarelli, S. Fang, D. Christiani |
| Reassign Pointing Device Tasks to Improve Radiologists’ Postures, Repetitive Movements, and Discomforts | 2008-2009 | C. Chang, P. Boiselle, J. Dennerlein, M. Robertson |
| Traffic-Related Particulate Matter and Markers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: Variations by Past Occupational Exposure to Traffic-Related Particulate Matter | 2008-2009 | S. Fang, AJ. Mehta. Schwartz, D. Christiani |
| Manganese Exposures and Cardiovascular Responses among Welders | 2008-2009 | D. Christiani, M. Mittleman, J. Cavallari |
2007–2008
| Project Title | Award Year | Principal Investigator(s) |
| Physiologic Effects of Chronic Endotoxin Exposure | 2007-2008 | R. Baron, D. Christiani, M. Parella |
| Exploratory Plasma Proteomic Analysis Using iTRAQ-2DLC-MS/MS Technology in a Crossover Study of Individuals Exposed to Metal Fume | 2007-2008 | D. Christiani, M. Wang |
| Biomechanical Evaluation of Air Stretcher as Alternative for Carpet Knee-Kicker | 2007-2008 | B. Buchholz |
| Early Neurotoxic Effects in Manganese Exposed Workers | 2007-2008 | M. Weisskopf, D. Christiani, R. Lucchini, W. Laohaudomchok |
| A Pilot Study of Workers’ Exposure to Airborne Conidia of Trichoderma Harzianum in Greenhouse Production in Connecticut | 2007-2008 | J. LaMondia, A. Bharadwaj |
| Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators: An Implementation Study of the Joint Task Force’s Consensus Guidelines | 2007-2008 | S. Kales, P. Parks |
| Urinary Metal Concentrations as Biomarkers of Exposure to PM 2.5 among Welders | 2007-2008 | D. Christiani, J. Cavallari, S. Fang |
| Exploratory Analyses of Association between Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Inflammatory Markers Related to Cardiovascular Disease Among Non-Smokers in a Population of Trucking Industry | 2007-2008 | F. Laden, Y. Chiu |