Advertise on podcast: Contaminated Site Clean-Up Information (CLU-IN): Internet Seminar Video Archives

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP) is hosting a Risk e-Learning webinar series focused on the use of innovative, human-relevant technologies to better characterize the biological effects of chemicals. New technologies, including advanced cell-based assays, organoids, and computational modeling approaches, are expanding the toolbox researchers use to answer previously difficult or unanswerable questions. Presenters will discuss how these emerging methodologies are being applied to uncover mechanistic insights, improve predictive accuracy for human health outcomes, and refine risk assessment frameworks. The third and final session, titled Innovative Methods for Understanding Chemical Toxicity, will feature three speakers discussing innovative approaches to understanding the dose at which chemicals trigger biological responses and the mechanisms behind them. Speakers include:Ana Maretti Garcia, Ph.D., University of Southern California: In this presentation, Dr. Maretti Garcia will discuss recent advances using advanced 3D human liver spheroid models to characterize the biological effects of multiple per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on human liver metabolism and their contribution to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). She will highlight key findings recently published in Environment International (PMID: 40914107) and Communications Medicine (PMID: 41162609), focusing on molecular and cellular mechanisms identified through the integration of in vitro models with human-relevant data.Guru Ulaganathan, Duke University: Developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) is challenging to study due to the intricacy of human brain development, the dependence on the timing of exposure, and the emergence of effects long after the initial exposure. This presentation will discuss advances in human iPSC modeling using three-dimensional brain models that can be leveraged to mechanistically investigate neurodevelopmental perturbations at both a molecular and functional level.Weihseuh A. Chiu, Ph.D., Texas A&M University: Chemical contamination after disasters presents a plethora of challenges to risk assessment and risk management. Dr. Chiu will present several case studies from the Texas A&M Superfund Research Center of new approach methodologies (NAMs) to address this challenge by rapidly characterizing hazards and risks from individual chemicals and environmental mixtures. Lessons learned from these studies inform a general strategy for NAMs-based solutions for next generation risk assessment. To learn more about and register for the other sessions in this webinar series, please see the SRP site. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/SRP-BioChem-3_012126/

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP) is hosting a Risk e-Learning webinar series focused on the use of innovative, human-relevant technologies to better characterize the biological effects of chemicals. New technologies, including advanced cell-based assays, organoids, and computational modeling approaches, are expanding the toolbox researchers use to answer previously difficult or unanswerable questions. Presenters will discuss how these emerging methodologies are being applied to uncover mechanistic insights, improve predictive accuracy for human health outcomes, and refine risk assessment frameworks. The second session, titled 3D Models and Technologies to Illuminate Biological Effects of Contaminants, will feature three speakers discussing 3D models and other technologies to better understand how contaminants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and endocrine-disrupting compounds affect DNA, placental function, and asthma. Speakers include: Stephen Ferguson, Ph.D., NIEHS Division of Translational Toxicology: This presentation will describe active NIEHS/DTT research to develop and innovatively apply microphysiological systems (MPS) to understand PFAS bioaccumulation and toxicity potential in context with human drugs. Research highlights from a recent publication in Environmental Science & Technology (PMID: 39893674) will be provided along with future considerations and strategies for modeling toxicological phenotypes and interindividual susceptibility with MPS. Susan Tilton, Ph.D., Oregon State University: Critical data gaps exist regarding toxicity of the broader class of structurally diverse, substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the ways in which PAHs contribute to toxicity of mixtures for effective evaluation of human health risk. Dr. Tilton will discuss how the development and application of 3D lung cell models can be used to understand risk for toxicity after inhalation exposure in susceptible individuals, as well as efforts to develop a dosimetry model to improve extrapolation and risk assessment from in vitro systems. Arum Han, Ph.D., Texas A&M University: Dr. Han will introduce microphysiological systems (MPS) of the feto-maternal interface that mimics the structure and functions of the multi-cellular layers in these fetal membrane and placental interfaces, and show how they can be used to provide better mechanistic understanding on how environmental toxicants may contribute to preterm birth risk. He will also discuss the latest engineering advancements in making these MPS models into higher throughput more automatically operated models to increase the usability and adoptability of these new approach methods (NAMs). To learn more about and register for the other sessions in this webinar series, please see the SRP site. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/SRP-BioChem-2_011626/

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP) is hosting a Risk e-Learning webinar series focused on the use of innovative, human-relevant technologies to better characterize the biological effects of chemicals. New technologies, including advanced cell-based assays, organoids, and computational modeling approaches, are expanding the toolbox researchers use to answer previously difficult or unanswerable questions. Presenters will discuss how these emerging methodologies are being applied to uncover mechanistic insights, improve predictive accuracy for human health outcomes, and refine risk assessment frameworks. The first session, titled Multi-Cellular Systems, Modeling, and Simulations to Advance Environmental Health Research, will feature four speakers discussing how cell-based systems, modeling, and simulations can improve researchers' understanding of complex biomedical topics, such as how chemicals interact inside the body or the cause of birth defects. Speakers include:Margaret Ochocinska, Ph.D., National Institutes of Health: Dr. Ochocinska will introduce the Complement-Animal Research In Experimentation (Complement-ARIE) Program, which aims to accelerate the development, standardization, validation and use of human-based New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) that more accurately model human biology to transform basic, translational, and clinical sciences. Complement-ARIE has already awarded $1M in a crowdsourcing prize competition, launched a $7M NAMs Reduction to Practice Challenge, and published funding opportunities to create Technology Development Centers, a NAMs Data Hub and Coordinating Center, and the Validation and Qualification Network. The Validation and Qualification Network (VQN) will be a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the Foundation for NIH (FNIH) involving scientists at multiple levels of government (including funding agencies and regulators), industry, nongovernmental organizations, and academic institutions to accelerate adoption and implementation of NAMs in both research and regulatory contexts. The goal of the VQN is to build upon existing U.S. and international efforts to provide more cost-effective, rapid, human-relevant NAMs for drug discovery, chemical safety testing, and wider biomedical research approaches to bring NAMs products to market.Brian Johnson, Ph.D., Michigan State University: Dr. Johnson will combinatorial new approach methods to elucidate mechanisms of human thyroid hormone disruption by legacy and emerging chemical contaminants.Rebecca Fry, Ph.D., University of North Carolina: The talk will highlight how UNC Chapel Hill Superfund researchers are deploying new approach methodologies (NAMs) to improve chemical toxicity prediction and reduce reliance on traditional animal models. It will showcase UNC SRP innovations in computational toxicology, exposure science, and mechanistic assays, demonstrating how these tools accelerate risk prediction of hazardous chemicals. Jon Chorover, Ph.D., University of Arizona: Legacy mine tailings sites, which are prevalent throughout the western U.S., are potential sources for ingestion exposure to airborne arsenic-bearing particulate matter (mt-PM). Dr. Chorover's team postulated that the bioaccessibility of arsenic in mt-PM is related to its molecular speciation, which in turn, depends on weathering environment. In this webinar, Dr. Chorover discuss how we tested this hypothesis by sampling 12 sites in the western U.S. and subjecting the samples to a set of molecular spectroscopy analyses coupled to in vitro bioassays. To learn more about and register for the other sessions in this webinar series, please see the SRP site. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/SRP-BioChem-1_010926/

The Fall 2025 FRTR Meeting will offer a unique opportunity for federal cleanup program managers and other remediation community representatives to:Identify and discuss priority cleanup issues,Share lessons learned, andForm collaborative working groups to pursue subjects of mutual interest. This virtual session will feature two presentations from DOE National Laboratories:Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL): Leveraging Advanced Geophysics and Machine Learning to Support Soil and Groundwater Remediation at the Hanford SiteSavannah River National Laboratory (SRNL): Bioremediation of Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compounds: DOE Experiences and Lessons Learned To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/FRTRPresents10_111725/

This webinar will discuss remedial designs and their applicability to projects under the Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP).  Topics covered will include the intent of remedial designs and the types of projects for which they are best suited.  We will also discuss scoping the remedial design, preparing the MR-QAPP for the remedial design, and finally describe some case study examples. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/m2s2fy26-1_102125/

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) presents a "Virtual Technology Fair" featuring Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant recipients developing innovative solutions for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Speakers will give a "pitch", showcasing the work underway and its value-added to disrupt the market. We encourage participation by and questions from potential end-users, customers, and other stakeholders to accelerate technology transfer of these promising approaches. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/VTF-PFAS_092425/

This webinar will look at stages of the RI/FS, from RMM through the FS.  Presentations will discuss how to create risk scenarios for evaluation using the Risk Management Methodology (RMM) and explain how that can influence the development of remedial alternatives by considering both contamination and land use.  The presentations will look at an example site and at a case study.  We will also discuss the use of "FS alternatives panels" to facilitate the development of remedial alternatives and attempt to get buy-in from various members of the project team. To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/m2s2fy24-1_082825/

The NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) presents a "Virtual Technology Fair" featuring Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant recipients developing innovative solutions for heavy metals in water. Speakers will give a "pitch", showcasing the work underway and its value-added to disrupt the market. We encourage participation by and questions from potential end-users, customers, and other stakeholders to accelerate technology transfer of these promising approaches. The August 27th webinar will feature ChemFinity Technologies, Inc. on "Remediation of acid mine drainage water using selective metal-harvesting membranes;" OndaVia, Inc. on "Automated, In-Line Hexavalent Chromium Analyzer;" Microvi Biotechnologies, Inc. on "Intensified, High-Rate Reductive Immobilization of Hexavalent Chromium;" Picoyune on "Plasmonic Sensor and Field Monitor for Mercury." To view this archive online or download the slides associated with this seminar, please visit http://www.clu-in.org/conf/tio/VTF-HeavyMetals_082725/