On October 22-23, 2018, CRECE researchers participated in the annual NIEHS/EPA Children’s Environmental Health Centers (CEHC) Meeting in Research Triangle Park, NC. As part of this year’s focus on translational research outcomes, Dr. José Cordero presented on CRECE’s research, including significant findings related to triclosan and triclocarban, as well as the CRECE report back process. The presentation also addressed the CRECE team’s post-hurricane relief efforts, which included a focus on working with participants and community members to reestablish communication and identify and address maternal and child health needs in the weeks after the storm.
The CEHC meeting also emphasized research conducted by Early Stage Investigators, with a variety of poster presentations through the two-day meeting. Dr. Emily Zimmerman presented “An Examination of Non-Nutritive Suck in Relation to Prenatal Environmental Exposures in a Puerto Rican Cohort,” while Dr. Deb Watkins presented on her recent R21 project on the impacts of hurricane-related exposure and stress on pregnancy outcomes and child development in Puerto Rico. Two students from the Human Subjects Core, Stephanie Eick and Gabriel Rodriguez, also presented on their research. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Akram Alshawabkeh (Co-Director), Carmen M. Vélez Vega (Community Outreach and Translation Core Co-Leader), Phil Brown (COTC Co-Leader), and Gredia Huerta-Montañez (Pediatrician).
Dr. Cordero also participated in the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU) Panel, which was moderated by Liam O’Fallon of the NIEHS and Martha Berger from the EPA. Panelists discussed approaches to increase the visibility of research results, and other new opportunities in this area.
The CRECE team enjoyed the opportunity to interact with other centers and see other models of translational research.
Left: Dr. Gredia Huerta-Montanez and Dr. Emily Zimmerman pose in front of Dr. Zimmerman’s poster.
Right: Dr. Deb Watkins presented a poster on the impacts of Hurricane Maria on pregnancy outcomes and child development.