The HERCULES Pilot Project Program works to expand and integrate exposome-related research on campus through focusing on cutting-edge technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration among environmental health science investigators at Emory, development of junior investigators through funding and mentoring and the promotion of translational research in environmental health sciences. Funds are meant to help generate new preliminary data in order to compete for NIEHS R-level grants while also building strong interdisciplinary research teams.

Current Pilot Awardee Details Past Pilot Project Recipients  FAQs


2024-2025 Pilot Awardees

Gene-Environment Interactions in Brain Structure and Distressing Psychotic-like Experiences among Adolescents Over Four Years

PI: Benson Ku


Assessing the impact of state of the art water treatment plant on pFAS reduction among Rome, GA residents

PI: Melanie Pearson


Assessing exposure to commonly used disinfectants in metro-Atlanta preschoolers

PI: Amina Salamova


Heavy metal exposure as a risk factor for developing lung damage in premature infants

PI: Xin Hu


Exploring relationships between environmental chemical exposures and cardiovascular health among Black pregnant and postpartum women

PI: Erin Ferranti


Modeling cardiotoxicity induced by environmental toxicants using hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes

PI: Chunhui Xu, School of Medicine, Pediatrics