ONES Program 2006 Awardees
Outstanding New Environmental Scientists

16 October 2006

Grants for $3.6 million were awarded to exceptionally talented and creative new scientists who are pursuing careers in environmental health research, according to David A. Schwartz, M.D., director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health. Known collectively as the Outstanding New Environmental Scientist (ONES) Award, the initial grants will support eight early career scientists over a five-year period.

• Donna D. Zhang, Ph.D., University of Arizona, is studying the mechanism by which cells protect themselves from the toxic effects of arsenic, a highly poisonous metal that can cause DNA damage and lead to an increased risk for certain cancers. (19:41)  (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/video/events/2006/ones/03-zhang.cfm)
• Thomas J. Begley, Ph.D., State University of New York at Albany, is examining the way in which damage to DNA from environmental exposures can trigger the production of certain proteins that help protect the cell from toxic agents. (26:54)  (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/video/events/2006/ones/04-begley.cfm)
• Patricia Lynn Opresko, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, is exploring the effects of environmental agents on telomeres, small segments of DNA located at the ends of chromosomes, which help control aging and death of cells. (25:11)  (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/video/events/2006/ones/05opresko.cfm)
• Sven-Eric Jordt, Ph.D., Yale University, is studying the way in which certain airborne pollutants interact with sensory nerve cells in order to produce eye, nose and throat irritation. (30:36)  (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/video/events/2006/ones/06-jordt.cfm)
• Michelle L. Bell, Ph.D., Yale University, is studying the relationship between outdoor concentrations of ozone, a form of oxygen that is a primary component of urban smog, and the incidence of respiratory disease and death in exposed populations. (26:06)  (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/video/events/2006/ones/07-bell.cfm)
• Stephania A. Cormier, Ph.D., Louisiana State University, is conducting research on fine particle air pollution - microscopic particles of dust and soot less than 2.5 microns in diameter - to determine whether exposure to these tiny particles can produce changes in immune system function that could result in an increased risk for developing asthma. (24:52)  (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/video/events/2006/ones/08-cormier.cfm)
• Michael Borchers, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati, is examining the relationship between exposure to airborne chemicals from vehicle exhaust and industrial sources, and increased susceptibility to respiratory illnesses such as eM.P.H.ysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (24:18)  (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/video/events/2006/ones/09-borchers.cfm)
• Gökhan M. Mutlu, M.D., Northwestern University, is studying the effects of fine particle exposure on blood flow and heart disease risk. (29:49)  (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/video/events/2006/ones/10-mutlu.cfm)