Superfund Trainees Lear about Community-Engaged Research at TrAC Meet

Dec. 15, 2024
TrAC Meet

Texas A&M Superfund Research Center organized TrAC Meet (Trainees in Action in Communities), an event that presented a unique opportunity for trainees to learn about community-engaged research.  The event took place at the Houston headquarters of one of the Texas A&M Superfund Research Center’s community partners, t.e.j.a.s (Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services) on December 5, 2024.

Participants attending TrAC Meet spent the day with t.e.j.a.s (Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services) and Community Engagement experts to learn first-hand about the opportunities and challenges of community-engaged research and research-informed solutions that address climate change, resilience and environmental justice.

UA Superfund Research Center (UA SRC) trainees that participated in TrAC Meet were as follow: 

  • Godsgift N. Chukwuonye presented: “Compound Events and Exposure Science: Characterizing Mixtures and Assessing Cumulative Risks in Environmental Justice Communities using Participatory Research Methods”.
  • Angelina Samorano presented “Making Numbers Dance: Data Discos for Environmental Literacy”.
  • Chrisa Whitmore presented “From Contamination to Clean Water: Community-Driven Solutions for Groundwater Justice and Biopolymer Innovation”. 

Chukwuonye said: “The TrAC Meet event provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with community partners and approach participatory research from a new perspective. I received direct feedback from t.e.j.a.s. on how my research could be applied to Houston, particularly in response to recent flooding and hurricanes. The toxic tour was a powerful experience, exposing me to the realities of community vulnerabilities and showcasing the adaptation strategies and resilience measures that residents have implemented to address environmental health challenges.” 

Samorano said: "Academic and community partners did a wonderful job organizing the 2024 TrAC meet. The Texas A&M Superfund Center and t.e.j.a.s. were incredibly generous and flexible hosts. During the lightning talks, I learned about cutting-edge research on exposure science, urban planning, and community engagement from scientists from Texas A&M, the University of New Mexico, and my UArizona colleagues. 

Congratulations Trainees!!