Environmental Health Study for Western New York

large dark cloud over grand island, new york.

Seeking students to contribute to the Environmental Health Study for Western New York investigating environmental exposure in relation to health and identify ways to prevent disease in the future. 

Project is Not Currently Available

This project has reached full capacity for the current term. Please check back next semester for updates.

Project description

The Environmental Health Study for Western New York is a prospective cohort study of current and former residents of the City and Town of Tonawanda, and the Town of Grand Island. The primary objective of the study is to investigate environmental exposures in relation to health and identify ways to prevent disease in the future. For complete information on the study, pilot studies, research team, etc., please go to our study website: ehstudy.buffalo.edu

Our needs: Our initial recruitment effort to establish our study cohort is off to a great start. We sent out over 100,000 questionnaires to the residents of the City and Town of Tonawanda, and Grand Island. We received over 12,000 surveys back, and now we need help entering survey data and filing. Additionally, we recently started the biospecimen collection portion of the study and are simultaneously working on enrolling families and children, which includes a neurobehavioral assessment of adolescents.  Finally, we are planning our follow up study efforts for the next several years.

This is a great opportunity for students to experience the complexity of data collection and gain an understanding of recruitment and retention efforts involved in longitudinal cohort studies. We are looking for motivated, detail- oriented students who want to be part of a collaborative research team.  Duties on the project will include data entry and organizing (filing) as a primary focus.  Depending on experience, interest, and ability, students may also have opportunities to assist in laboratory appointments for neurobehavioral testing, assisting in biospecimen appointment recruitment and scheduling, community engagement and education efforts, etc.  Training will be provided.

Project outcome

The specific outcomes of this project will be identified by the faculty mentor at the beginning of your collaboration. 

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment To be determined by student/mentor
Start time Spring, Summer
In-person, remote, or hybrid?
In-person
Level of collaboration To be determined by student/mentor
Benefits Academic Credit, Volunteer
Who is eligible Detail oriented, able to work independently, interest in public health and/or environmental health, previous research experience is beneficial
Truman and Udall Scholarships

Students participating in this project might be interested in and eligible for the Truman Scholarship and the Udall Scholarship. Connect with the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships to learn more.

Project mentor

Denise Feda

Project Staff Associate

Epidemiology and Environmental Health

168C Farber Hall, South Campus

Phone: (716) 829-5607

Email: dmfeda@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.) 

Preparation activities

The specific preparation activities for this project will be customized through discussions between you and your project mentor. Please be sure to ask them for the instructions to complete the required preparation activities.

Keywords

Epidemiology and Environmental Health