Project Description: Environmental justice communities in Arizona suffer real health consequences due to environmental contamination, which is often under-communicated and under-regulated. This position supports the overall goal of informing communities of their health risks and measures to mitigate them, in ways that involve and respect community members. Join our diverse research team to improve environmental health education in underserved rural and urban communities. Our team conducts environmental contamination research with historically underrepresented populations that will be impacted by climate change, water scarcity, and food insecurity more than others. University of Arizona researchers are working alongside community health workers and families living near sources of pollution (urban & rural) in order to monitor their harvested water, soil, and plant quality. This position will be encouraged to propose their own project, within the scope of current work, to further environmental health literacy.
NASA Relevance: The Ramirez-Andreotta laboratory adapts a wide variety of scientific pursuits in order to instill deep and long-lasting curiosity among our students. Our lab is truly interdisciplinary, wherein we encourage not only the investigation of deeper knowledges in one's own field, but also the adaptation of those knowledges through plain language translation and data visualization to increase access and appreciation of scientific pursuits for all individuals, no matter their background or scientific acumen. The NASA Science mission is closely aligned with our lab's interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to research.
Work Description: The Ramirez-Andreotta laboratory uses an environmental justice framework to investigate the fate and transport of pollutants in environmental systems, exposure pathways, cultural models of communication, and methods to improve environmental health literacy. Participation, including planning and attendance, at community listening sessions, trainings, and data sharing events will be the core focus of the internship. Assist with the development of research activities and conduct research including experimental design, data collection, and analysis. Present research at local and national meetings. Perform administrative work in support of project. Work as a team with other undergraduate and graduate research assistants.
Open or Reserved Project: Open, 1 position