UCSF Environmental Research and Translation for Health Center (EaRTH Center)

ABSTRACT - OVERALL Established in 2020 with a goal to accelerate the pace of discovery and translation of the environmental impacts on health and susceptible populations, the UCSF Environmental Research and Translation for Health (EaRTH) Center produces ground-breaking research, innovations and engagement leading to systemic solutions preventing harmful exposures and improving health equity. Based at one of the top medical and research universities, EaRTH has grown to 91 researchers, 5 labs and co-labs, and generated $69 million in new environmental health funding. Our membership spans 21 departments in all 4 UCSF professional schools, UC Berkeley and Santa Cruz. Our high impact in a relatively short time includes 101 papers published (21 in top 5% for attention in Altmetric), new laboratory and research methods to identify harmful chemicals, and scientific discoveries informing evidence-based policies on PFAS and other toxic chemicals. We attracted new researchers and clinicians to environmental health research and our pioneering environmental health medical materials reached every UCSF medical student and informed clinical guidance for OBGYNs nationally and globally. EaRTH’s theme is to identify and quantify environmental exposures and how they influence health. We focus on vulnerable periods of development and in highly exposed populations. We integrate basic, epidemiological, and translational science with clinical medicine and connect scientific findings into improved clinical care and public policies. Our target audiences are healthcare learners and professionals and California policymakers. Our translational vision prioritizes transdisciplinary research that bridges critical knowledge gaps to accelerate transforming evidence into actionable clinical practices and public health policies to improve health. Our goals are to: 1) Catalyze new environmental health research by providing expertise, technologies, and tools; 2) Foster collaborations between historically-separated scientific, clinical, policy and community groups; 3) Mentor and grow the next generation of environmental health researchers and clinical leaders; 4) Accelerate health-positive systemic change by sharing our science with decisionmakers to inform evidence-based clinical care and public policies. EaRTH is led by a strong Administrative Core in collaboration with our three Center cores and a Pilot Project Program: A) Translational Research Support Core provides consultation on all aspects of research design, implementation, translation and communication; B) Bioassay Facility Core offers state-of-the-art tools for 1) biomonitoring; 2) high-throughput screening, and 3) organoid screening; and 4) guidance to ‘omics technologies; C) Community Engagement Core empowers health professionals and learners with scientific tools to improve environmental health literacy, promote health equity, and connect health providers, scientists and community leaders with policymakers; and D) Pilot Project Program grows the next generation of environmental health researchers and clinicians by funding transdisciplinary projects and mentorships.