Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowship Program

Examples of Funded Projects

1. Examine the relationship between Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and the capacity of plants to sequester organic pollutants. 2. Examine remediation strategies for removing Pb from the soil using phytoextraction (uptake into plant tissue) for subsequent removal from the site. 3. Achieve a better understanding of the physical processes that govern groundwater contamination. In particular, the behavior of nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), such as petroleum products and chlorinated solvents, which are a dangerous source of drinking water contamination will be studied. 4. Determine the biodegradation products and rates of the perfluoronated surfactants using models of wastewater treatment plants. 5. Identifying rates and pathways of uptake of fluorinated chemicals by duckweed (Lemna minor), using both whole-plants and plant cell-culture. See Web Page for additional information on previously funded projects under the STAR Fellowship Program: http://www.epa.gov/ncer.

Program Accomplishments

Applications received for the STAR Fellowship Program- FY 03: 1,360 ; FY 04: 1,696; FY 05: 1,722. New Awards for the STAR Fellowship Program- FY 03: 83; FY 04: 124; FY 05: 128. Abstracts of awards and summary results of the research are available on the NCER homepage: http://www.epa.gov/ncer.