UCSD Receives $7.35M Grant to Restore Scripps Center for Oceans and Human Health
The University of California San Diego has received a significant $7.35 million grant from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. This funding will re-establish the Scripps Center for Oceans and Human Health, led by Professor Linda Amaral-Zettler. The center aims to bridge scientific discoveries with the community, focusing on three primary research endeavors and a large community engagement program.
The center will examine the health benefits and risks associated with marine nutrients and contaminants under a changing climate. One project will study the bioaccumulation of nutrients and contaminants in the marine food web, developing models for potential human exposure. Another will investigate the impact of climate change on the human intake of seafood micronutrients and contaminants. The team will also engage with fishers, chefs, non-profits, and the public to translate scientific findings into practical community applications.
The multidisciplinary team brings together experts from UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, NOAA's California Sea Grant, and the Southwest Fisheries Science Center. The Scripps Institution operates a fleet of four oceanographic research vessels and is home to Birch Aquarium at Scripps, which welcomes over 500,000 visitors each year.
The re-established Scripps Center for Oceans and Human Health will play a crucial role in understanding and communicating the impacts of ocean health on human health. By studying the sources, fates, and potential toxicity of marine chemicals and engaging with the community, the center aims to improve ocean health and human well-being in the face of climate change.
