UC TSR&TP PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Fall 2001 Meeting
Cal/EPA Headquarters (Joe Serna State Office Building), Sacramento
Tuesday,
October 2, 2001
MINUTES
Present:
Jim Stratton, Chair, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
Marc Aarens, UCOP
Syed Ali, State Water Resources Control Board
Steven Book, Dept. of Health Services
Arthur Fong, IBM Environmental Programs
Kean Goh, Dept. of Pesticide Regulation
Bruce LaBelle, Dept. of Toxic Substances Control
Charles Lapin, Lapin & Associates
Jerry Last, Director, TSR&TP
Scott MacDonald, UCOP
Cathie Magowan, UCOP
Lisa Stevenson, Program Manager, TSR&TP
Leslie Stewart, League of Women Voters
Mika Pringle Tolson, Public Relations & Grants Coordinator, TSR&TP
Winona Victery, US Environmental Protection Agency
William Vance, CA Environmental Protection Agency
Mandisa
Zeigler-Frye, Program Coordinator, TSR&TP
Not Present:
Richard Clark, Phillips Petroleum
Mark DeSaulnier, Supervisor, Contra Costa County
Robert Gundel, Chiron Corporation
Bruce Jennings, CA Assembly Env. Safety & Toxic
Materials Committee
Jody Sparks, Toxics Assessment Group
Bob Spies, Applied Marine Services
Andrew Standeven, Amgen Inc.
Jeffery Theiss, Pfizer Global Research &
Development
Kip Wiley, CA Senate Office of Research
Arthur Winer, Associate Director, TSR&TP
Jim Stratton brought the meeting to order at 10:09 a.m. and requested that everyone introduce themselves. Stratton invited interested Advisory Committee members to attend the fall TSR&TP Executive Committee meeting on Friday, October 12, 2001 in Oakland, CA. Minutes from the spring meeting were reviewed for final approval. Stratton suggested minor changes then moved to approve the minutes, Charles Lapin seconded. All were in favor.
The committee reviewed anticipatory research next. Jerry Last briefed the committee on TSR&TP’s collaboration with the California Policy Research Center (CPRC) to form a public policy component that will focus on remediation efforts and hopefully lead to UC resources outside of the program. Syed Ali mentioned the need for UC support in the Water Quality Board’s Sediment Quality Objectives Program, which studies the potential toxicity of sediments. Last recommended he contact Susan Anderson, a UC researcher at Bodega Marine Laboratory. Stratton spoke about the Executive Fellowship Program that entails a one-year internship with the Governor’s office that places interns in different state agencies. The committee discussed the various UC internship programs and the need for increase funding of public policy internships by the TSR&TP. Last explained the program’s stagnant budget lowers overall funding rates, but that most graduate fellowships are seed funding. Lapin suggested further studies in developing assessment and clean up tools in toxicogenomics and proteomics. Last noted the Toxic Mechanisms Lead Campus Component is currently working in this area. Stratton felt research on transitioning our society from a carbon fossil base to a hydrogen base economy would be very beneficial. Extensive discussion ensued on hydrogen use for fuel and energy.
The next topic discussed was how UC can better assist with state, public interest, and private industry needs. Marc Aarens affirmed the need for UC to continue producing qualified graduates. Bruce LaBelle stated applied research in areas like MTBE is useful. Winona Victery and Leslie Stewart briefly explained the CalFed program. Lapin expressed a desire for UC involvement in the beginning stages of public research issues and that the peer review process needs revision. Bill Vance noted Cal EPA uses UC faculty as peer reviewers of public health goals (PHG) and therefore UC cannot be involved in both the creation and review of these PHGs. Cathie Magowen suggest anyone needing UC expertise to contact the Office of Research and that faculty like to get involved in these current issues. Faculty involvement in the community was discussed.
Last gave the Director’s Office report next. Last mentioned the Chromate Toxicity report is posted on OEHHA’s website (http://www.oehha.ca.gov/public_info/facts/chrom6press2.html). Stratton added that OEHHA’s website has a notification feature that allows you to sign up for e-mail updates on new information. Last discussed the Executive Committee overturn and lead campus reviews. Last noted the Ecotoxicology Program was doing well during its period of transition to a new director, Mike Johnson, and their convergent efforts with the Coastal Toxicology Program on the new EPA center grant at Bodega Marine Laboratory. The Coastal Program was also commended for their 30-year renewable NFS center grant. The Health Effects Program is scheduled to be reviewed on Friday, October 5, 2001 and the Toxic Mechanisms informative review will be in January 2002. Last also spoke on his Fulbright program grant and NIH center grant.
The discussion turned to the budget. Aarens warned budget signs were not good and cuts may be impending. Magowen said all existing MRU’s are currently experiencing flat budgets and that the academic council is forming a work group to review alternative sources for MRU funding.
Old business was discussed next. Steven Book and Last both were unsuccessful in finding experts in mold research. Victery agreed to check with Barbara Spark at EPA. New business included a review of the Executive Committee meeting agenda by Last, which includes the lead campus reviews and appointment of new associate directors. Stratton restated the invitation to the Executive Committee meeting.
Stratton motioned to adjourn early for a presentation by Theresa Parsley of Cal EPA on the Cal/EPA building's energy efficiency and environmental "green engineering" design. None were opposed. The meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.