ESRAC translates environmental health research into practical tools, trainings, and educational programs that support communities, professionals, and families. From K–12 engagement to professional development and multilingual public resources, our outreach efforts extend research beyond the lab to real-world impact.
K–12 Outreach & Student Engagement
School & Community Presentations
Dr. Jonathan Sexton regularly speaks at local K-12 schools, after-school programs, and other community outreach events to help kids and adults develop an interest in science. Presentations showcase the importance of hygiene and simple interventions to minimize risk of infection.
Young Global Leaders
Hosted in partnership with the Global Health Institute, this immersive summer experience provides high school students the opportunity to work with University of Arizona researchers to explore real-world health challenges through interactive, hands-on research.
Award-Winning Student Research
Congratulations, Romina Perez, Freddy Leon, and Miguel Vasquez, for winning 2 awards for their presentation: Bacteriophage Phi X-174 Transmission Inside a High School Cafeteria and the Effect of the Custodians’ Interventions at the 2023 SARSEF Science and Engineering Fair!
Professional Training & Workforce Development
Infectious Agents Exposure Reduction Training for First Responders
ESRAC, Tucson Fire Department (TFD) and the Western Regional Public Health Training Center (WRPHTC) at MEZCOPH created a “pathogen exposure prevention” training video for firefighters and EMS responders about the best protocols to avoid infection.
Preventing Legionnaires’ Disease (PreventLD)
In collaboration with the CDC, NNPHI, and the Western Region Public Health Training Center, ESRAC developed a free online program for water management planning. To date, the program has reached over 8,600 enrollees and was the most popular course offered by WRPHTC for 2018-2019, providing critical public health tools to a national audience.
Environmentally Acquired Illnesses (EHS 420/520)
Up to 1 in 4 people experience an EAI, yet many struggle with delayed or missed diagnosis due to complex chemical, microbial and physical exposure pathways. To date, this course has educated nearly 400 future health practitioners, public health professionals, and scientists, translating emerging exposure science into real-world diagnostic, monitoring, and prevention tools.
Public Resources & Community Education
IFH-PATH
IFH-PATH provides practical, science-based guidance for targeted hygiene in homes and public spaces. The site features beginner-friendly introductions to quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), actionable “moments for hygiene” guidance, and downloadable infographics and educational materials available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.
WQRF Outreach Series
The Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF), in collaboration with ESRAC and water experts from across the U.S., developed educational materials, including a video series available on YouTube and an archive of educational articles, to increase public knowledge of drinking water quality and in-home treatment options.