Fertile men and women, pregnant women, developing fetuses, children and adolescents are especially vulnerable to adverse health effects from wildfire smoke, pesticides, and other pollution. Better nutrition, access to green space, and psychosocial support may reduce impacts from environmental hazards. If you’re an early-career physician or nursing professional interested in research that addresses these issues, consider applying for the Pediatric and Reproductive Environmental Health Scholars (PREHS) K12 Program.
The University of Washington offers a two- to three-year fellowship to help meet the need for environmental health research in the fields of pregnancy, reproductive and pediatric health. Clinically trained individuals will develop expertise in the science of environmental exposures and associated health effects, from fertility to fetal development to adolescence.
Scholars conduct research with senior mentors and learn how to apply scientific findings in a way that answers real-life questions their patients have regarding the role of environmental factors on fertility, pregnancy and child health. Scholars are integrated into the NW Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, gaining experience in the NW PEHSU consultation service and research translation activities applicable to their interests.
The program is funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
Who should apply?
The program considers new scholar applicants each year.
Applicants should be early-career clinicians interested in academic environmental health research training, especially those in fields related to fertility, pediatric medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, nursing practice and family practice. (Previous degrees earned can include MD, DDS, DMD, DO, DC, OD, ND, DVM, PharmD, DNP or PhD in clinical disciplines.)
Individuals from under-represented backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.
Program benefits
- Salary (up to NIH cap) and associated fringe benefits
- Support for research supplies and for travel to scientific meetings and trainings
- Tuition support available for MPH or similar program, if sought
Program requirements
- 75% of annual full-time effort on research and training (i.e., at least 30 hours per week). Scholars can continue clinical work at 25% of full-time effort.
- Participation in the PREH Seminar Series
- Integration with the PEHSU Consultation and Outreach Service <link>
- Development of an individualized career development plan
- Participation in the UW Biomedical Research Integrity Program
- Development and implementation of at least one research project
- Mentorship meetings
Faculty
Catherine Karr, PhD, MD, MS
Professor
Dr. Catherine Karr is an environmental epidemiologist and pediatric environmental medicine specialist. She has a primary appointment in the UW Department of Pediatrics, a joint appointment in the Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences and an adjunct appointment in the Department of Epidemiology. Her research areas include environmental contaminants and pediatric respiratory health including asthma, health of farmworker children and global children's environmental health.
Sheela Sathyanarayana, MPH, MD
Professor
Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana is a Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Research Institute. She conducts research focused on endocrine disrupting chemicals in plastics, including phthalates and bisphenol A in pregnancy and childhood health outcomes.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the UW PREHS Program, please contact the program coordinator at uwprehs@uw.edu.