What We Do

  • The Research Translation Core (RTC) is designed to support the ongoing research of the OSU SRP by translating and disseminating information to diverse stakeholders. Our goals are to:
    • Optimize communications within the OSU SRP, with other SRP Centers, and with SRP staff,
    • Manage partnerships with government agencies,
    • Stimulate and oversee technology transfer to commercial entities, and
    • Disseminate information and tools to other stakeholders.
  • We support research efforts by hosting webinars and workshops, developing educational materials, creating short videos and working with investigators to report data back to study participants and stakeholders.

Services We Offer

  • Return of data. The RTC supports investigators looking to return individual-level or community-level data from their research studies to participants.
  • Educational material development (e.g., infographics, videos, virtual lab tours, etc.).
  • Research translation and science communication (e.g., guest lectures and courses, trainee support for translational materials, community topics, etc.).
  • Institutional review board protocol support (i.e., blanket protocol for rapid disaster response, adaptable recruitment/in-person verbal and virtual consent materials, questionnaires, passive sampling support materials and considerations for an ethical disaster response).
  • Social media support. The RTC works with investigators and trainees to develop social media messaging for Twitter and Facebook.

Our Current Research

  1. Passive Sampling Device Workshop. This workshop is in collaboration with Dr. Kim Anderson and the PAH Fate and Transport project. The workshop is intended to help individuals with an interest in using passive samplers better understand how to select the appropriate sampler, how to use the data from these samplers and how to translate exposure information to key stakeholder communities. There will be three sessions.
  2. On-going Stakeholder Engagement. The RTC works with diverse stakeholders and regulatory agencies to translate and disseminate information. This includes working with the Department of Environmental Quality on Cleaner Air Oregon, developing infographics with Oregon Health Authority and conducting collaborative research with the Portland Harbor Community Coalition.
  3. Translation and Dissemination of Data. The RTC works with investigators at OSU and other academic institutions to translate and disseminate research results and risk reduction strategies back to study participants and stakeholder communities. In 2021, over 300 reports were sent to participants in the interdisciplinary response to Hurricane Harvey.
  4. Educational Infographics. The Research Translation group works with investigators, stakeholders and SRP trainees to develop educational infographics on a variety of topics. The full infographic repository can be found on our website. All infographics may be used with appropriate attribution to the Oregon State University Superfund Research Program.
  5. Trainee-written Blog Posts. Translating and disseminating research results is a learned skill. Trainees have the option to work with RTC leaders to develop a short blog post that describes their research in plain language. You can read recent blog posts here.
  6. Virtual Laboratory Tours. In addition to providing in-person tours of our research facilities to interested stakeholders, the RTC has begun developing virtual laboratory tours which allow individuals on a mobile phone, tablet or computer to move through the virtual space and watch short videos demonstrating the capacity of our facilities. The virtual lab tours can be seen here.

Our Previous Research

  1. Pre-positioned disaster Institutional Review Board Protocol. The RTC supported research done by Drs. Anderson and Rohlman to facilitate rapid research responses following disasters. The protocol is now available through the NIH Disaster Research Response database.
  2. Benzo[a]pyrene Educational Fact Sheet. Following proposed changes to the Portland Harbor Superfund Site regarding the regulatory limits to benzo[a]pyrene, the RTC developed a short fact sheet with community members.
  3. Mercury, The Community, and Me. This K-8 curriculum project is a compilation of educational activities about mercury and the nearby Black Butte Mine Site that begins with a solid foundation of environmental health science. Includes the full curriculum, resources for teachers and several short videos related to careers in environmental health.
  4. Black Butte Mine Superfund Site Education Partnership. In early 2013, the EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation began a pilot of the Partners in Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), to expand opportunities for cooperation between EPA and colleges, universities or nonprofits.
  5. All About PAHs. This webpage includes information about PAHs in the environment, major routes of exposure and educational materials (infographics, videos) that can be widely used with appropriate attribution.
  1. Science and Technology Liaisons workshop. In 2019, 18 Science and Technology Liaisons from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) came to a 2-hour training offered by our Superfund Program. You can learn more about the workshop here.

Media