Coordinating with Tribes at Federal Facilities is a two-hour webinar course that will provide an overview of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policy on consultation and coordination with Indian Tribes at federal facilities. This webinar will also provide tips on how to work more collaboratively during this process. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:Identify EPA processes and policies for interacting with the Tribes;Understand the roles of EPA and tribal governments in Federal Facility clean ups;Learn about the Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office (FFRRO); and,Discover EPA resources and tools available to assist Federal Facilities in building partnerships with the Tribes;The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, group discussions, and case studies. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) process. This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total). To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/FFAcademy10_121224/

Tracking Restoration And Closure (TRAC) is a web-based application that combines infographics, annual statistics, and historical facts to clearly communicate the current status of groundwater contamination cleanup efforts at Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM) sites across the nation.  TRAC is a tool to share information about and provide transparency into environmental remediation progress at these cleanup sites.  With TRAC, users can explore robust and consistent geospatial visualization of contaminants of concern above the regulatory cleanup concentrations at three levels of detail:  EM complex, EM site, and waste management unit.  Each level includes narrative information on key topics, such as cleanup challenges/priorities and technology approaches, and metrics about contaminant plumes, regulatory context/status, and remedy technologies/implementation status. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/FRTR-TRAC_120424/

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) is hosting a Risk e-Learning webinar series focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to advance environmental health research. The series will feature SRP-funded researchers, collaborators, and other subject-matter experts who aim to better understand and address environmental health issues by applying AI and machine learning approaches to complex issues.

Recent advances in AI and machine learning methods show promise to improve the accuracy and efficiency of environmental health research. Over the course of three sessions, presenters will discuss how they use AI and machine learning approaches to improve chemical analysis, characterize chemical risk, understand microbial ecosystems, develop technologies for contaminant removal, and more.

In the third and final session, ML & AI Applications to Understand Omics, Metabolomics, & Immunotoxicity and Optimize Bioengineering Using Datasets, Models, and Mass Spectrometry, speakers will discuss how they apply machine learning and artificial intelligence tools to analyze mass spectrometry and microscopy data and optimize models for understanding metabolomics, metabolite pathways, and immunotoxicology

To learn about and register for the other sessions in this webinar series, please see the SRP website.

Grace Peng, Ph.D., is a co-coordinator of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Common Fund's Bridge to Artificial Intelligence (Bridge2AI) program, bridging the gap between the biomedical, behavioral and bioethics research communities and the data science/AI communities through a consortium of diverse experts to set the stage for widespread adoption of AI/ML in medicine. Dr. Peng will give an overview of the Bridge2AI program and introduce one of their projects at the University of California San Diego — Trey Ideker, Ph.D. Dr. Ideker will discuss the cell maps for AI (CM4AI) functional genomics project, one of four major data generation projects under the Bridge2AI program. The goal of the project is to provide a comprehensive map of human cellular components through generation of major spatial proteomics datasets.

John Efromson, M.S., will present on Ramona Optic, Inc.'s Multi-Camera Array Microscope [MCAM(TM)], which is used to automate imaging and computer vision analysis of zebrafish and greatly improves previous throughput and analysis capabilities. Multiple applications of machine learning will be discussed, including behavioral pose estimation and phenotyping, morphological analysis, and cell counting and fluorescence quantification, as well as how these distinct analyses can be used together for pharmacology, toxicology, and neuroscience research.

Speakers:Grace C.Y. Peng, Ph.D., Division of Discovery Science and Technology (Bioengineering), National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering and Trey Ideker, Ph.D., University of California San DiegoJohn Efromson, M.S., Ramona OpticsForest White, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Moderator: Hunter Moseley, Ph.D., University of Kentucky To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/SRP-ML-AI3_112224/

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) is hosting a Risk e-Learning webinar series focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to advance environmental health research. The series will feature SRP-funded researchers, collaborators, and other subject-matter experts who aim to better understand and address environmental health issues by applying AI and machine learning approaches to complex issues.

Recent advances in AI and machine learning methods show promise to improve the accuracy and efficiency of environmental health research. Over the course of three sessions, presenters will discuss how they use AI and machine learning approaches to improve chemical analysis, characterize chemical risk, understand microbial ecosystems, develop technologies for contaminant removal, and more.

In the second session ML & AI Applications to Environmental Engineering Contaminants & Bioremediation, invited presenters will discuss how they apply machine learning and artificial intelligence to environmental engineering applications including contaminants and bioremediation using biosensors, microbiome compositions, and screening tools.

To learn about and register for the other sessions in this webinar series, please see the SRP website.

Kei-Hoi Cheung, Ph.D., has an extensive history in data science, and has leveraged that expertise to lead natural language processing (NLP) projects in annotating, extracting, and retrieving environmental exposure data. He will present on the use of these NLP methods combined with ontologies in the in the context of scientific literature on emerging water contaminants.

Mohammad Soheilypour, Ph.D., will discuss the application of a suite of computational methods to identify and predict microbial metabolism of various chemical compounds, with a focus on gut and environmental microbiomes. Specifically, he will cover the potential application of machine learning models in this context and their integration with other computational methods to enhance both accuracy and utility.

Paul Westerhoff, Ph.D., will highlight the work of his research team utilizing and comparing two advanced multiple data imputation techniques, AMELIA and MICE algorithms, to fill gaps in sparse groundwater quality datasets to support State agencies in prioritizing future sampling activities. Historic water quality databases are often sparse due to financial budgets for collection and analysis, posing challenges in evaluating exposure or water treatment effectiveness — and this project aims to account for those by accurately assessing and managing risks associated with inorganic pollutants using this technology.

Speakers:Kei-Hoi Cheung, Ph.D., Yale University School of MedicineMohammad Soheilypour, Ph.D., Nexilico Inc.Paul Westerhoff, Ph.D., Arizona State UniversityModerator: Rodrigo Rimando, U.S. Department of Energy To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/SRP-ML-AI2_112024/

Groundwater Policy and Federal Facilities Overview is a two-hour webinar course that provides an overview of U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) groundwater policies and guidance with emphasis on cleanups at federal facilities. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:Identify EPA groundwater policies;Understand groundwater classification and beneficial use in restoration objectives;Understand nature and extent considerations from groundwater contaminant plumes;Explore applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs) commonly associated with groundwater remedies;Identify groundwater considerations for monitored natural attenuation (MNA), institutional controls, and technical impracticability waivers; and,Discover information on major groundwater policies from other federal agencies, such as Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Energy (DoE).The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture and quizzes. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total). To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/FFAcademy7_111324/

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) is hosting a Risk e-Learning webinar series focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to advance environmental health research. The series will feature SRP-funded researchers, collaborators, and other subject-matter experts who aim to better understand and address environmental health issues by applying AI and machine learning approaches to complex issues.

Recent advances in AI and machine learning methods show promise to improve the accuracy and efficiency of environmental health research. Over the course of three sessions, presenters will discuss how they use AI and machine learning approaches to improve chemical analysis, characterize chemical risk, understand microbial ecosystems, develop technologies for contaminant removal, and more.

In the first session, AI & ML Applications to Understand Chemical Mixtures, Properties, and Exposures and their Relationship to Human Health, speakers will discuss how they apply machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to understand chemical exposures and their effects on human health.

To learn about and register for the other sessions in this webinar series, please see the SRP website.

Naomi Halas, Ph.D., and Ankit Patel, Ph.D., will share updates on their work combining surface-enhanced spectroscopies (Raman and Infrared Absorption) with machine learning algorithms with the goal of developing simple and ultimately low-cost methods for the detection and identification of environmental toxins. As part of their discussion, they will share several approaches, including the use of machine learning algorithms to detect individual constituents in complex mixtures and the use of facial recognition strategies to identify specific chemical toxins in human placenta.

Jacob Kvasnicka, Ph.D., will present on a project he supported while he was a postdoctoral researcher at Texas A&M University SRP Center's Risk and Geospatial Sciences Core. There, his work involved developing an ML framework for predicting safe exposure levels to chemicals to avoid cancerous and reproductive/developmental effects. Most chemicals lack toxicity data related to human health, and this study uses ML to fill this gap, greatly expanding the ability to characterize chemical risks and impacts.

Trey Saddler will give attendees an overview of ToxPipe — a platform for performing retrieval augmented generation (RAG) over toxicological data. Comprised of a web interface, agentic workflows, and connections to various data sources, ToxPipe enables toxicologists to explore diverse datasets and generate toxicological narratives for a wide range of compounds.

Speakers:Naomi Halas, Ph.D., and Ankit Patel, Ph.D., Rice UniversityJacob Kvasnicka, Ph.D., U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyTrey Saddler, NIEHS, Division of Translational ToxicologyModerator: David Reif, Ph.D., NIEHS, Division of Translational Toxicology To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/SRP-ML-AI1_110424/

The FRTR 2024 Fall General Meeting provides an opportunity to share the latest developments in PFAS source differentiation and identification techniques applied to site remediation, as well as an update on advances in human health and ecological risk assessment. The meeting will highlight site-specific case studies where source differentiation technologies helped in identifying sites requiring further investigation and remediation. Emerging contaminants and issues have presented new challenges for risk assessment of both ecological and human health concerns. Therefore, meeting presentations will focus on new technical approaches to conduct site-specific risk assessments for PFAS when toxicological data, enforceable standards and similar information are limited. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/FRTRFall24_102924/

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) presents a "Virtual Technology Fair" featuring Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant recipients developing innovative solutions for lead (and other metals) in water. Speakers will give a "pitch", showcasing the work underway and its value-added to disrupt the market. We encourage participation by and questions from potential end-users, customers, and other stakeholders to accelerate technology transfer of these promising approaches.

To learn more about the NIEHS SBIR program, please see the SRP Funding Opportunities webpage.

To learn more about and register for other SRP events, please visit the SRP events website.

Presentation Summaries:

NIEHS SBIR Funding Opportunities: the NIEHS Superfund Research Program's Heather Henry, PhD, will provide an overview of the NIEHS SBIR program, including information for potential applicants.

GlycoSurf, LLC: Chett Boxley, Ph.D., and Raina Maier, Ph.D., of GlycoSurf, LLC, will discuss technologies developed to remove uranium, lead, and rare earth elements from both groundwater and complex mining solutions. With funding from an SBIR grant, GlycoSurf researchers collaborated with scientists at the University of Arizona and Wayne State University to develop environmentally friendly glycolipid surfactants to remove metal from aqueous mining wastestreams. They have developed two approaches:  an ion flotation process in which surfactants complex with target metals and are removed from the solution with bubbles, and a functionalized resin technology that removes metals through a selective sorption process.

ElectraMet: Lindsay Boehme, Ph.D., of PowerTech Water, Inc. (d/b/a/ ElectraMet), will discuss an electrochemical POU device designed to remove lead from water. Developed with funding from an SBIR grant, the device uses activated carbon electrodes and a small electrical current to induce reactions that remove lead from the water. The device will fit under a standard sink, have an attainable price point, and be able to process more water than current treatment options.

Stemloop, Inc.: Khalid Alam, Ph.D., of Stemloop, Inc., will discuss an innovative monitoring technology that provides users with on-site and on-demand monitoring of lead in drinking water. Developed with funding from an SBIR grant, the team's paper-based devices use repurposed biological sensor proteins that produce detectable signals when lead is present. Adding water activates the device to produce a visual signal when lead is present.

NanoAffix Science, LLC: James Hill, Ph.D., of NanoAffix Science, LLC, will discuss the NAFX Handheld Lead Tester. With funding from an SBIR grant, the device was developed in response to the lead laden drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Relying on innovations in accurate particulate lead predictions, sensor device uniformity, and calibration accuracy, the NAFX Handheld Lead Tester is the first of its kind to offer users accurate, cheap, and fast detection of all three types of lead: total lead (indicative of overall toxicity), soluble lead (indicative of slow leaching of lead), and particulate lead (indicative of sporadic flaking of lead). To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/SRP-VTF-Pb_102824/

RCRA and CERCLA Integration at Federal Facilities is a two-hour webinar course that will provide an overview of how the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) can be integrated at Federal Facilities through use of Federal Facility Agreements, regulator coordination, and lead regulator approach. By taking this course, participants will achieve the following objectives:Learn about Federal Facility Agreements and how they identify RCRA and CERCLA roles and responsibilities;Explore relevant memos and policies addressing RCRA and CERCLA coordination; and,Become familiar with some RCRA policies that apply to CERCLA wastes.The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, case studies, and quizzes. The target audience for this course is federal, state, and tribal representatives who work on Federal Facility cleanups. Ideally, students should have a basic understanding of RCRA and CERCLA. This course is part of the Federal Facilities Academy training program. Please consider registering for other Federal Facility Academy courses and obtain a certificate upon completion of the entire Federal Facility Academy series (12 courses total). To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/FFAcademy6_102424/

US EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) is sponsoring a presentation on electrokinetic (EK)-enhanced in situ remediation technologies that are available for addressing contaminants in low-permeability (low-k) subsurface environments where conventional hydraulic delivery technologies often face challenges.

The presentation introduces ORD's recently published Engineering Issue Paper (EIP) on the technology. The primary author will present on EK technologies and provide insights to the user community on ways to best utilize the EIP.

ORD's EIPs are a series of technology transfer documents that summarize the latest information on selected waste treatment and site remediation technologies and related issues and present it in a conveniently accessible manner to the user community. EIPs are designed to help remedial project managers (RPMs), on-scene coordinators (OSCs), contractors, and other contaminated sites technical staff and site managers understand the type of data and site characteristics that are needed to evaluate a technology for a specific site, as well as ways to design and optimize a technology for a particular application. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/Low-K-Enviro_092624/