Using a Systems Approach that is aimed at protecting human health from hazardous substances, the MIT Superfund Research Program (SRP) executes a solutions-oriented, research, engagement, and training framework. The Cores are the pillars of this framework, enabling the interactions and interdependencies among the Projects. This in turn creates synergies and enhances the sharing of knowledge and technologies with all stakeholders for broader impact.
Administrative Core
As an integration facilitator, the Administration Core is the organizational hub that supports all Projects and Cores to optimize their impact on public health. To stay nimble, to be able to identify opportunities, and to expand knowledge, the Administration Core serves as a resource center while fostering teamwork within the MIT SRP and between MIT SRP and its stakeholders.
Community Engagement Core
An important aspect of protecting public health from hazardous substances is building relationships and supporting the people that are impacted by these toxic chemicals. The Community Engagement Core (CEC) establishes these connections and is the vehicle by which the MIT Superfund Research Program (SRP) interacts and responds to the needs of community members. The CEC proactively strengths the bidirectional communication and collaborations with all stakeholders and in this way, serves to foster the System Approach in public health protection.
Data Management and Analysis Core
The mission of the MIT SRP Data Management and Analysis Core (DMAC) is to build and improve how the MIT SRP manages the evidence gathered from experiments conducted in Projects 1 – 4. The DMAC also fosters and enables cross-disciplinary collaborations and leverages novel computational modeling approaches to gain new knowledge. The DMAC also provides functionalities for data integration to achieve better understanding of health effects and risk, as well as predictive power that can guide development of interventions.
Research Experience and Training Coordination Core
The RETCC contributes to the Systems Approach model of the MIT SRP by providing a rich and exciting environment for trainees to foster their personal and professional interest beyond MIT. The RETCC plans to develop the MIT Exploration-Program to promote cross-disciplinary collaboration between researchers with similar or different interests. The RETCC supports trainees in their efforts to develop and patent technology from their research with real-world applicability. With the assistance and encouragement of the RETCC, trainees are becoming proficient in multiple skillsets to address complex community problems. A key part of preparation for career advancement is for trainees to attend national meetings and conferences so that they may remain adept on key advances in their field, be positioned for critical networking opportunities, and continue to ignite and propel innovative research.
