Director’s Update
A lot has happened since we last published the Director’s Update. We are currently in year four of our funding cycle and hard at work developing our next renewal due in January of 2026. Our evaluation program has been very successful at tracking important metrics that demonstrate HERCULES’ achievements and help drive us forward in meeting our center’s objectives and those of NIEHS. Two new tenure track faculty members have joined GDEH and HERCULES. In the past year we welcomed Drs. Danielle Wallace and Longxiang Li! Dr. Wallace’s work focuses on innovative approaches to wearable sensors and their analysis for studying light and circadian health, while Dr. Li’s work is focused on innovative modeling approaches to examine novel and non-conventional environmental exposures. Our successful pilot program has funded 22 Pilots, 3 Enhance grants, and an additional 6 pilots that are currently underway. In December 2024 we hosted our first retreat since this funding cycle began in the spring of 2022. The timing was perfect to reflect on how much we have accomplished as we shifted into our 4th year of funding and prepare for our renewal. In NIH news, the open access policy launches July 1. Investigators should focus on publishing open access as much as possible while being cautious about embargoing, as detailed guidance is limited. Please remember to cite the Center (P30ES1019776) and to be sure that any publications are immediately deposited in PMC.
-Carmen Marsit