Support Cores

Superfund at Duke has six cores that serve supportive roles to the research programs.  Two of the cores serve as analytic resources to the 5 research projects, one serves an administrative role, and the remaining three are geared toward developing the skills of our students and communicating research beyond academia and engaging with partner communities.

Neurobehavioral Toxicity Assessment Core (NBTC)

Lead Investigator: Edward Levin

The NBTC provides information on the consequences of exposures to chemicals like pesticides, PAH’s, and flame retardants using models such as zebrafish, killifish, rats, and C. elegans. They determine how these chemicals are toxic to the brain and nervous system by looking at several pathways and biological processes.

Analytical Chemistry Core (ACC)

Lead Investigator: Lee Ferguson

The Analytical Chemistry Core is integral in providing high-quality chemical analyses to all projects within Duke’s Superfund Research Center. Dr. Abigail Joyce serves as the ACC manager. 

Research Translation Core (RTC)

Lead Investigator: Charlotte Clark

The RTC provides practical training to build capacity for investigators and trainees on research translation and science communication. RTC staff also engage stakeholders to facilitate the application of research and communicates research on topics in environmental health, risk assessment, and hazardous substances to key stakeholders and the general public.

Community Engagement Core (CEC)

Lead Investigator: Elizabeth Shapiro-Garza

The CEC works with communities across North Carolina affected by environmental contaminants, especially those related to early life exposures to chemicals that may have later-life impacts. Learn more at our dedicated Duke Superfund community engagement website: https://sites.nicholas.duke.edu/superfundcec/

Administrative Core

Lead Investigator: Richard Di Giulio

The Administrative Core holds our center together by providing oversight and planning of research, events, and activities, and facilitates coordination among research projects and between the projects and cores. The core also monitors scientific progress, quality control, budgetary and operational issues, research translation, and educational activities.

Training Core

Lead Investigator: Joel Meyer

Duke’s Superfund Research Center (SRC) has a strong desire to provide our students with the best training possible – in the classroom, in the lab, and in the community. The Training Core provides educational support for all the projects and cores of our program, and awards mini-grants to trainees.