The impacts to human and ecosystem health resulting from anthropogenic activities has increased over the past century. The application of sound, scientific investigations to assess current environmental challenges and discover possible solutions is the foundation for anticipating future environmental and human health effects.

The establishment of the Center for Environmental Analysis was an important step toward providing the scientific basis for addressing and solving environmental challenges in our service region. The investigative and analytical services provided by the center focus on identifying and reducing risks to public health and the environment and on the reduction of the uncertainty associated with environmental health risk assessment. The research programs performed at the center address environmental contamination issues in groundwater, surface waters, soils and air. Comprehensive research program objectives include those that:

• Examine the risk assessment process for ecological and human receptors
  
  
• Improve the development of training opportunities for our students and regional environmental and public health professionals
  
  
• Promote the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) and remote sensing technology to predict environmental and public health impacts
  
  
• Utilize various environmental monitoring techniques to delineate subsurface, surface and atmospheric pollution
  
  
• Assess indoor air quality issues affecting human health
  
  
• Provide first responder training to regional emergency agencies and medical staff
  
  
• Develop a database for illustrating issues relating to environmental justice

The mission of the center is directly related to the strategic goals of the University and the College of Science and Mathematics by providing experiential learning opportunities for our students, providing increased service to the community, and providing research opportunities that enhance the scholarly activity of faculty. The mission goals of the center include:

• Performing short- and long-term research and monitoring of human health and ecosystem conditions due to environmental contamination
  
  
• Disseminating research results and coordinating of efforts with other institutions pursuing related areas
  
  
• Providing training, technology transfer and technical outreach to service area institutions
  
  
• Providing technical assistance to benefit organizations, communities and individuals in the service area

The center's association with the Geosciences Geoprocessing Applications Laboratory in the College of Science and Mathematics helps facilitate these goals. This laboratory serves as a teaching and research facility, emphasizing digital image processing of remotely sensed data and GIS technology applied to natural resource evaluation/management and environmental monitoring for anthropogenic impact upon local and regional ecosystems and industrial enterprises.

Contact: Dr. John Kraemer, jkraemer@semo.edu, (573) 651-2355