Fellow Bios
Deborah Morrison, MPH
Thesis Title: Lead Distribution in Urban Soils: Relationship Between Lead Sources and Human Health
Graduate Dept: Earth Science, Public Health
Degree Sought: MS
Research Advisor: Gabriel Filippelli
Lab Website: Click Here
Teacher Partner: Craig Brosius
Partner School: George Washington Community School
School URL: Click Here
Research Goal
My research is focused on determining if there is a relationship between high lead blood levels in children in urban settings using geospatial analysis and geographically referenced health data
Description of Your Research
My research includes studying the interaction between the environment and human health, specifically determining the influence of heavy metals in soil as it relates to low-dose chronic lead exposure in children in high risk environments. Looking at heavy metal contamination problems from a multi-disciplinary viewpoint including epidemiology, health behavior, health promotion, earth science, geospatial analysis and geochemistry will ultimately allow for improved risk-based mitigation in these high risk areas. I collected several hundred soil samples from around the WESCO community in the near-west side of Indianapolis in Marion county and analyzed them for lead concentrations. Currently I am awaiting blood lead level data from the areas children for a 10 year period. Once this data is received I will use GIS and spatial statistics to determine if in fact there is a correlation between the amount of lead in the soil and blood lead levels at the neighborhood level.
Examples Of How My Research Is Integrated Into My GK-12 Experience
I am currently working with the Chemistry AP/Scientific Methods Research at Arsenal Tech and I have developed an 11-week inquiry based lesson plan which allows the students to fully develop their own Pb research project to determine the amount of Pb in the soil surrounding the school. The students will visit the Biogeochemistry lab to learn first hand how the soil samples and run and participate in the analysis. The final step is for the students to present their findings (including risk-assessment) to a group of stakeholders at the end of the semester.
Currently, My GK-12 Classroom Is Investigating
Links of Interest