Conduct research that matters in a ROUTES Environmental Health Co-op

Every day, people are exposed to thousands of chemicals. From pollution in water or air to additives in food, makeup, and personal care products, these chemical exposures are impossible to avoid. Chemical exposures are implicated in health conditions such as asthma, cancer, adverse birth outcomes, neurodevelopmental delays, and other health concerns, but much remains unknown about these risks.

Environmental contamination disproportionately affects lower income and underserved communities, who are also underrepresented in the field of environmental health research. ROUTES aims to close that gap by introducing students from underrepresented backgrounds to environmental health research.

Through targeted one-on-one faculty mentoring and paid research co-op opportunities, ROUTES invites students to gain real-world research experience in environmental health. ROUTES is interdisciplinary, with co-ops in environmental engineering, health sciences, biology, epidemiology, and sociology.

Throughout the co-op, ROUTES provides support and experience to students looking to pursue further education and research careers in the environmental health field. ROUTES Scholars have gone on to present their research at scientific conferences, publish in peer reviewed journals, and receive PEAK Fellowship Awards to continue their work. After graduating, students have advanced to research positions at non-profits or with government agencies, and pursued graduate degrees in engineering, public health, healthcare, and epidemiology.

THE ROUTES SCHOLAR PROGRAM FEATURES:

• Exclusive full-time Co-op opportunities
• One-on-one mentoring with a faculty member, as well as near-peer guidance from experienced graduate and post doctorate trainees
• Access to diverse seminars focused on environmental health and professional development
• Travel funding to present on research at a scientific conference in a related field
• Research presentation at NEU’s annual Research, Innovation and Scholarship Expo (RISE)