NIOSH Nominates Exemplary Scientific Contributionsfor CDC Charles C. Shepard Science Award for 2008

Contact: Christina Bowles (202) 245-0633
March 17, 2008

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) nominated 10 outstanding studies by NIOSH researchers for a prestigious scientific award for 2008. NIOSH also submitted one nomination for the award's lifetime scientific achievement category.

The 2008 Charles C. Shepard Science Award is sponsored by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of which NIOSH is a part. The award honors excellence in science at CDC during the year 2007; the winners will be announced later this year.

“The articles nominated for the 2008 award illustrate the wide range of issues addressed by NIOSH in its research to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses, the complex challenges that those problems entail, and the advanced scientific tools and knowledge that our scientists bring to our mission,” said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D.

The studies NIOSH nominated were published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The 10 papers were nominated in the categories of Assessment and Epidemiology; Laboratory and Methods; and Prevention and Control.

Assessment and Epidemiology:

Elizabeth Whelan, Christina C. Lawson and Barbara Grajewski for “Work Schedule During Pregnancy And Spontaneous Abortion.” Epidemiology 2007;18:350-355.

G.A. Day, A. Dufresne, A.B. Stefaniak, C.R. Schuler, M.L. Stanton, W.E. Miller, M.S. Kent, D.C. Deubner, K. Kreiss, and M.D. Hoover for “Exposure Pathway Assessment At A Copper–Beryllium Alloy Facility.” Ann. Occup. Hyg., Vol. 51, No. 1, pp. 67-80, 2007.

Laboratory and Methods:

Robert R. Mercer, James Scabilloni, Elena Kisin, Ashley Murray, Diane Schwegler-Berry, Anna Shvedova and Vincent Castranova for “Alteration Of Deposition Pattern And Pulmonary Response As A Result Of Improved Dispersion Of Aspirated Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes In A Mouse Model.” Amer J Physiol: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology 2007: Epub doi:10.1152/ajplung.00186.2007.

Itai Chipinda, Justin M. Hettick and Paul D. Siegel for “Oxidation Of 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole In Latex Glove And Its Possible Haptenation Pathway.” Chemical Res Toxicol 2007; 20: 1084-1092.

Tracy Hulderman, Rebecca Salmen, Rebecca Chapman, Stephen S. Leonard, Shih-Houng Young, Anna Shvedova, Michael I. Luster and Petia P. Simeonova for “Cardiovascular Effects Of Pulmonary Exposure To Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes.” Env Health Perspec 2007;115(3):377-382.

John Z. Wu, Daniel E. Welcome, Kristine Krajnak and Ren G. Dong for “Finite Element Analysis Of The Penetrations Of Shear And Normal Vibrations Into The Soft Tissues In A Fingertip.” Medical Engineering & Physics 2007;29:718-727.

Hongwei Hsiao for “Evaluation Of Fall Arrest Harness Sizing Schemes.” Human Factors 2007; 49(3): 447–464. Doi: 10.1518/001872007X200094.

Art Miller for “The Fate Of Metal (Fe) During Diesel Combustion: Morphology, Chemistry, And Formation Pathways Of Nanoparticles.” Combustion and Flame 2007; 149:129–143.

Matthew W. Wheeler and A. John Bailer for “Properties Of Model-Averaged BMDLs: A Study Of Model Averaging In Dichotomous Response Risk Estimation.” Risk Analysis 2007; 27(3): 659-670.

Prevention and Control:

Kristin J. Cummings, Gregory A. Day, Paul K. Henneberger, Margaret M. Kitt, Kathleen Kreiss and Christine R. Schuler for “Enhanced Preventive Programme At A Beryllium Oxide Ceramics Facility Reduces Beryllium Sensitisation Among New Workers.” Occup. Environ. Med. 2007;64;134-140. Doi: 10.1136/oem.2006.027987. NIOSH also nominated Dr. Vincent Castranova for the 2008 Charles C. Shepard Lifetime Scientific Achievement Award. Dr. Castranova is chief of the Pathology and Physiology Research Branch in NIOSH's Health Effects Laboratory Division. Dr. Castranova has dedicated 30 years of distinguished service to NIOSH. Dr. Castranova has consistently provided excellence in leadership in laboratory research at the cellular and molecular level, and more recently at the nanoscale, enhancing scientific knowledge about pathophysiology of occupational lung diseases. Nomination for this prestigious award recognizes not only his outstanding contribution to occupational safety and health, but also his dedication and commitment to the NIOSH mission.

“Dr. Castranova has dedicated 30 years of distinguished service to NIOSH,” Dr. Howard said. “He has consistently provided excellence in leadership in laboratory research at the cellular and molecular level, and more recently at the nanoscale, enhancing scientific knowledge about pathophysiology of occupational lung diseases. Nomination for this prestigious award recognizes not only Vince's outstanding contribution to occupational safety and health, but also his dedication and commitment to the NIOSH mission.”

The NIOSH nominations appear on the NIOSH web page at www.cdc.gov/niosh/awards/shepard/ . For further information about NIOSH research and recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths, call the NIOSH toll-free information number 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh/.