Environmental Science

Sharing Challenges and Opportunities to Improve Air Quality in Schools

lbennett — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 13:47:19 +0000

Sharing Challenges and Opportunities to Improve Air Quality in Schools

lbennett Fri, 06/12/2026 - 20:47

The Ask: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sought to assess and synthesize decades of research on air quality in schools around the world. This involved casting a wide-net literature search, led by MDB’s library scientist, and screening nearly 2,000 articles for relevance and inclusion.

The Solution: MDB science writers led the development of a comprehensive 155-page contractor report on indoor air quality in schools that summarized the body of literature, including detailed overviews of 11 common pollutants (e.g., particulate matter, volatile organic compounds), including sources of exposure, measurement and monitoring strategies, impacts on the health of students and school staff, intervention and mitigation strategies, and barriers and challenges to implementation.

Notable Outcomes: MDB’s Creative Director and science communicators also developed a suite of eye-catching outreach materials to help share the findings more broadly. These materials included an interactive school map to be posted on a new EPA webpage, with several different rooms within a school building (gym, pool, technology room, art room, classroom, supply closet, etc.) with clickable pop-out windows featuring indoor air quality concerns in each room.

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Grant Coding Database Supports Research Program’s Mission

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:27:06 +0000

Grant Coding Database Supports Research Program’s Mission

Database Management

Environmental Science

Website & App Design

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:27

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Division of Extramural Research and Training (DERT) frequently needs accurate, detailed information on the research they fund. This information allows NIEHS staff to provide scientists, community members, and decision makers a snapshot of their research, as well as identify gaps and strengths in the institute’s research portfolio.

The solution: MDB worked with DERT’s Program Analysis Branch to develop the Grant Coding Database (GCDB) to categorize and store details about each funded grant. Our information specialists collaborated with DERT staff to define key ideas and develop structured terms that describe scientific and programmatic details, including how the grants fit into the NIEHS Strategic Plan. These terms were used to tag each NIEHS-funded grant for categories related to experimental methods, chemical exposures, and health outcomes. MDB also developed a relational database on the Oracle platform with an attractive, simple user interface, that allows users to pull customized reports with specific criteria. Finally, we wrote specialized database queries to check for consistency as part of the quality control process.

Notable outcomes: Over 7 years, MDB scientific information specialists coded nearly 5,000 NIEHS grants. We leveraged the database to help DERT answer specific questions about its funded research and generated eye-catching data visualizations. Our grant coding information was used extensively by DERT staff for internal program evaluation and presentations. Our resulting grant portfolios and visualizations were also used by DERT staff to produce concept clearance presentations for National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council meetings, and to brief members of Congress on specific scientific issues.

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Developing User-Friendly Search Tool for Superfund Research Program Website

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:23:46 +0000

Developing User-Friendly Search Tool for Superfund Research Program Website

Communication & Outreach

Database Management

Environmental Science

Website & App Design

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:23

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP) needed an intuitive, user-friendly web tool to quickly find SRP-funded research projects on specific topics.

The solution: MDB leveraged detailed SRP project data stored in the NIEHS Division of Extramural Research and Training Grant Coding System (GCDB). to design and build a faceted search tool that allows users to apply one or more filters (e.g., chemicals studied, health outcomes) to locate relevant SRP projects. MDB developed a strategy to import SRP project data from the GCDB, modify the data to map to plain-language filter terms on the search tool, and store the modified data in the SRP database. Our experience with scientific terms and categorization, as well as familiarity with the SRP data, were critical in creating this useful search tool.

The SRP website faceted search tool has provided an intuitive, simple way to search for and find information about SRP projects. It also has facilitated collaboration and information sharing among researchers with similar interests.

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Telling the Stories of People Behind the Research

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:21:58 +0000

Telling the Stories of People Behind the Research

Communication & Outreach

Environmental Science

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 11:21

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) wanted to profile grantee researchers’ accomplishments and tell the stories behind the research NIEHS funds.

The solution: MDB developed the NIEHS Stories of Success series, which shares the backstories of trail-blazing environmental health researchers.

We also produce the Grantee Highlights series, which focuses on how NIEHS-funded researchers and community groups can work together to address environmental health challenges.

Our science writers are rigorous in their approach, conducting background research, interviewing sources, and checking facts. We strive to translate complicated science into accessible language so members of the public and experts alike can find inspiration in each story.

Notable outcomes: Since 2012, MDB has written about 20 stories a year that showcase researchers’ work in the environmental health sciences, community engagement, environmental health literacy, environmental health disparities, citizen science, and more.

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Newsletter Showcases Superfund Research Program Accomplishments

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 03:47:23 +0000

Newsletter Showcases Superfund Research Program Accomplishments

Communication & Outreach

Environmental Science

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 10:47

The ask: Staff at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program wanted to broadcast how funded researchers are tackling complex and emerging issues related to hazardous substances.

The solution: MDB proposed, designed, and implemented the quarterly Superfund Research Program Science Digest, which showcases how researchers from a variety of disciplines are tackling scientific challenges such as climate change, risk communication, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

MDB collaborates closely with Superfund Research Program staff to create the digest, recommending themes for each issue, researching and writing content, and distributing and posting the newsletters to the program’s website. Each issue includes information on funded research, leadership activities, and technological innovations, with ample links throughout.

Notable outcomes: MDB has provided communications and technical support for the Superfund Research Program since 2002. Over 11,000 subscribers receive the quarterly Science Digest. In addition to the digest, we produce and distribute a monthly e-newsletter and monthly Research Briefs for the program.

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Keeping the Grantee Community Connected: e-News for Superfund Research Program

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 03:43:39 +0000

Keeping the Grantee Community Connected: e-News for Superfund Research Program

Communication & Outreach

Environmental Science

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 10:43

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP) funds a robust network of researchers and institutions across the country, making it difficult to stay connected and up-to-date activities across the program. SRP wanted an informal tool to communicate with grantees and share programmatic information, upcoming deadlines, research highlights, job postings, funding notices, and opportunities for collaborating with federal partners.

The solution: MDB created the monthly e-Posted newsletter for SRP in 2004 and has written and distributed it ever since. The letter updates subscribers on the latest projects and outreach activities from SRP research centers.

We develop e-Posted content by continually tracking updates on researchers, programs, and stakeholders . The newsletter also includes announcements for events, webinars, and calls for abstracts that may be of interest to the community.

Notable outcome: Nearly 3,000 subscribers receive the monthly e-Posted newsletter, keeping them updated with the latest research and outreach activities from other SRP research centers.

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Documenting Economic and Societal Benefits of Environmental Health Research

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 03:41:42 +0000

Documenting Economic and Societal Benefits of Environmental Health Research

Environmental Science

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 10:41

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Superfund Research Program (SRP) wanted to document tangible benefits of research coming out of their program.

The solution: MDB assembled a multidisciplinary team and worked with public health and environmental economists and SRP grantees to assess the quantitative and qualitative impacts of SRP-funded remediation and detection technologies and basic biomedical research.

MDB and SRP staff wrote two commentaries outlining this project and its outcomes, highlighting the societal, economic, and public health benefits of SRP investments. For each paper, we developed and proposed a framework, identified relevant case studies, compiled background information, pulled patents, and analyzed publications.

The first study documented how SRP-funded research achieves significant health care savings by reducing the potential for human exposures to hazardous waste. We also showed how SRP projects spur small business development and discoveries in fields beyond environmental health.

In the second study, we used a case study to illustrate how SRP projects have led to health-protective policies, as well as additional clinical, public health, and economic benefits. Using bibliometric analysis of SRP publications from 1995-2018, we also analyzed how SRP has contributed to the advancement of knowledge within the field of environmental health and beyond.

Notable outcomes: We published the papers in two peer-reviewed journals: Environmental Health Perspectives and Reviews on Environmental Health.

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Podcast Raises Public Awareness of Environmental Health Issues

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 03:07:15 +0000

Podcast Raises Public Awareness of Environmental Health Issues

Communication & Outreach

Environmental Science

Global Hazards & Health

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 10:07

The ask: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) needed an engaging way to raise awareness of environmental health issues and share stories of the research it funds with a wider audience.

The solution: MDB proposed a podcast series, called “Environmental Health Chat,” to help NIEHS reach a wider audience. The series shares the stories of NIEHS-funded researchers and partners working to address environmental health issues in their communities.

For each installment, MDB pitches topics and plans episodes, interviews guests, writes scripts and web content, records audio, and develops a distribution plan. Episodes cover a range of environmental health topics, from extreme weather and citizen science to the microbiome, epigenetics, and kidney disease.

In 2020, MDB partnered with Ashley Ahearn, an award-winning National Public Radio science reporter and podcast host, to bring a new voice to the series. As the new host, Ahearn translates environmental health research into engaging narratives that draw in listeners. The host’s radio expertise, paired with MDB’s knowledge of NIEHS, results in a professional quality podcast that tells stories about environmental health issues in an accessible way.

Notable outcomes: Since 2013, when we pitched the podcast idea to NIEHS, we have produced more than 75 episodes of the Environmental Health Chat series. MDB consistently receives positive feedback from clients and stakeholders about the project. In addition, a February 2021 Environmental Factor article featured a pair of podcasts we developed that highlight an NIEHS environmental careers program and its impact on workers’ lives.

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Facilitating a Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable Materials Management

ntomchin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 02:21:33 +0000

Facilitating a Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable Materials Management

Communication & Outreach

Environmental Science

Facilitation

Global Hazards & Health

Reports

ntomchin Wed, 03/09/2022 - 09:21

The ask: The Sustainable Materials Management Coalition —a public-private partnership of business, academia, environmental, community organizations, and state and local governments—needed technical support to help organizations consider the full range of environmental impacts products have throughout their lives.

The solution: MDB assigned Senior Vice President Tim Fields, a former EPA assistant administrator, to chair the Coalition and facilitate group discussions, as well as report development. MDB also provided meeting logistics, report drafting, and web hosting for the Coalition.

Notable outcomes: The Coalition issued its first report in 2012 entitled “Sustainable Materials Management: A New Materials Hierarchy, Solutions to Barriers, and Recommendations for a Path Forward,” which provided practical advice to various groups on how to incorporate life cycle thinking into materials management decisions.

A second report came in 2014 titled “Guidance on Life-Cycle Thinking and Its Role in Environmental Decision Making,” which is intended to help governments and businesses make more informed decisions as they seek to buy greener and safer products

The Coalition issued a third report in 2016 which supports a national goal of reducing the negative environmental impact of materials use across their entire lifecycle. The report stresses the importance of reduced waste generation and increased recycling in reducing materials use and adverse environmental impacts. It also outlines findings and recommendations on how to reduce the environmental impact of materials use.

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