Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine

Introduction

The Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine (DEHOM) was formally established in July, 1999. Currently the Division has a total staffs of approximately 50, with 9 P.I.s and 10 Postdoctoral Fellows, covering scientific expertise on epidemiology, analytical chemistry, cell/molecular biology, toxicology/pathology, environmental sciences, biological marker/risk assessment research and occupational medicine.

DEHOM is a mission-oriented research organization within the National Health Research Institutes. Its functions and activities are focused on three basic aims and primary missions:

Currently the Environmental Health branch of the Division is situated within NHRI in the Zhunan campus and the Occupational Medicine branch, together with the Center for Austronasian Health Development and Research, is located in Kaohsiung with close association with Kaohsiuntg Medical University. The overall functions and directions of the Division are overseen by an Advisory Committee which consists of a body of internationally reputable experts in environmental health and occupational medicine. DEHOM is built on a dynamic concept. The research directions and foci thus are expected to modify periodically in accordance to new needs and issues confronted by the government as well as when the Division grows and matures.

DEHOM is a young Division at NHRI with strong motivations, firm determination, and big ambition. With proper support and leadership, DEHOM is destined to become one of the most dynamic research institutes in Taiwan and a internationally respectable Center of Excellence in health research in Asia.

Collaboration

One of DEHOM's prime objectives and missions is to facilitate and enhance research activities and advancement in Taiwan. Since DEHOM is not a "funding agency or organization" to provide funding supports to external research scientists, the most effective approach to accomplish such objective is through research interactions, teamwork, and network with scientists outside of the Division. There are four categories of such interactive and collaborative efforts:

1. Interactive and collaborative efforts with other Divisions within NHRI

NHRI is a big family of scientists with very diversified scientific expertise, interest, and facilities. DEHOM's research, by nature, is multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary. In order to achieve and accomplish our mission objectives and research goals, asides from strong teamwork among our own scientists within the Division, we are active in our interactions and collaborations with P.I.s in other Divisions and Research Centers in NHRI. Currently, we have close and active interactive collaborations with Division of Genomic Medicine, Division of Bioinformatics, Division of Pharmaceutical Development, Center for Health Policy Research, and Institute of Cancer Research, to name a few. Plans for research collaborations with Center for Nanotechnology Research as well as with Center for Stem Cell Research are also being made. A National Health Risk Assessment Research Center is also being planned within NHRI with DEHOM as the organizing and coordinating Division on this ambitious effort.

2. Interaction and collaboration with extramural research scientists in Taiwan

DEHOM has an open-door policy and encourage our P.I.s to interact and collaborate with scientists and research personnel in various academic institutes in Taiwan. Our core research facilities consist of some of the best research instrumentations in Taiwan, including the LC/MS/MS, GC/MS/MS, ICP/MS, K-X-Ray Fluroescence Spectrometer for bone lead measurement, and the unique tissue-slice organ culture setups etc. These facilities are also available to extramural scientists under the premises of collaboration. All collaborations between DEHOM members and extramural s cientists are expected to be mutually beneficial and consistent with DEHOM's research foci and missions. Currently we have active and productive research interactions and collaborations with the National Taiwan University, National Cheng-Kung University, Kaohsiung Medical University, Chung-Shan Medical University, National Ching-Hua University, and Academia Sinica, to name a few. The Female Lung Adenocarcinoma (FLAC) Research Program, sponsored by NSC and coordinated by DEHOM, epresent an example of our recent interactive and collaborative research effort and program between DEHOM and extramural scientists.

3. Interactions and collaborations with other governmental agencies in Taiwan

NHRI is primarily a research organization sponsored by the Department of Health (DOH) in Taiwan. Since DEHOM's missions crosses the prime interests and missions of many other governmental agencies, such as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH), Taiwan Agricultural Chemical and Toxic Substances Research Institute, and (TACTSRI), close and constant multi- and interdisciplinary interactions and collaboration exist between ourselves and other agencies. Our investigation of soil contamination by heavy metals in Chang-Hua County, dioxins-contamination in An-nan District, human health situations in arseniasis areas in Taiwan, lead and other industrial impacts on labors in Taiwan, etc. are examples of such activities and interactions as mandated by Congressional offices in Taiwan.

4. International interactions and collaborations with international research scientists or organizations

NHRI, like the NIH in the United States, is an internationalized research organization. DEHOM shares the same interest and motivation. Most of the P.I.s in DEHOM have international training and experience aboard, with Ph.D. degrees or postdoctoral trainings in the United States or Britain. Our advisory Committee is also very internationally based. Strong research and academic interactions exist between DEHOM members and international institutes such as NIEHS, NIOSH, NCTR, Calif.-EPA, US-EPA, CDC/ATSDR, UC-Davis, University of Missouri, etc. It is our belief that such international interactions and network provide DEHOM the needed dimension and dynamics in our research as well as in our international recognition.

Core Facility

Three HPLCs (HITACHI HPLC) equiped with UV, ECD, and fluorescence detectors, respectively