Cornish research centre secures second round of funding

One of the South West’s leading research initiatives, the European Centre for Environment and Human Health, at the University of Exeter Medical School, has been awarded a second phase of funding to help continue its important work in the region.

The £4 million grant is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and has secured the Centre’s future until the end of 2014, representing continued confidence in the project and the impact it has already had at a regional, national and international level.

Representing one important focus of the University of Exeter Medical School’s research programme, the European Centre is considering the numerous ways that humans can impact the environment and, in turn, how the environment can impact on our health and wellbeing. It is examining the potentially negative impacts from threats such as radon, pollution and the development of antibiotic resistance, whilst at the same time exploring the therapeutic benefits that interacting with the environment can offer.

Since the Centre’s launch in May 2011, it has published a number of important research findings which are directly relevant to Cornwall, and embarked upon relationships with local businesses that are helping to develop skills and promote growth.

Its research teams have already discovered a potential link between radon and skin cancer; shed light on the role that sunlight and vitamin D may play in developing eczema and food allergies; strengthened the evidence that smoking causes low birth weight in babies; and revealed that people tend to be healthier the closer they live to the coast.

These studies represent just a small sample of the work that is underway at the Centre, with many projects in the process of collecting and analysing data, and new projects beginning on a regular basis.

As part of its key areas of research, teams are currently examining the fate of pharmaceuticals in our environment, the occurrence of microbial pollution on Cornish beaches, the role that physical activity can play in healthy ageing, and the way that healthy workplaces can reduce sickness and absence at work.

Cornish companies have been actively involved in the Centre’s programmes of research, with local businesses playing a crucial role in on-going European Social Fund (ESF) supported PhD projects and working with academics to help exploit the commercial opportunities that cutting edge research can offer.

Community Interest Company, Global Boarders, is just one local initiative working with the Centre to develop their business, allowing both company and research team to investigate the benefits to children of interacting with the aquatic environment. Global Boarder’s Director, Mod Le Froy said:

“I can’t overemphasise how important this collaboration is to what we do. It informs our strategy and perceived value, assists us greatly with charity funding and helps make our work unique.”

The Centre is also playing a role in higher education in the region and as part of the University of Exeter Medical School’s teaching programme, is running a Master’s qualification in Environment and Human Health - funded in part by ESF Convergence. Admissions are now open for the beginning of the 2013 course, which can be studied on both a part time and full time basis, and has bursaries available to students living in Cornwall.

Director of the European Centre for Environment & Human Health, Professor Lora Fleming said:

“Since our launch, we’ve produced research that is crucial to our understanding of the importance of the natural environment to health and wellbeing. We’ve worked with local companies and communities to ensure our research has direct relevance to the local economy, and have begun to train the next generation of academics. I’m delighted that this work will be able to continue as we grow Cornwall’s reputation as an international focus of expertise on the health and wellbeing.”

Dean of the University of Exeter Medical School, Professor Steve Thornton said:

“As populations increase, age and modernise, the connections between the environment and human health will be an increasingly important focus of research. This area is central to the research aims of the University of Exeter Medical School and the location of the European Centre in Cornwall presents a unique opportunity to ensure our studies are targeted and have relevance within the region.”

Chris Pomfret, Chair of the LEP and Deputy Chair of the Convergence Local Management Committee, which steers the Convergence programme said:

“The investment from the European Regional Development Fund Convergence programme is another example of European funding helping to drive research and innovation, both crucial if we want to see our economy grow, and the European Centre has already demonstrated their commitment to on-going health and wellbeing research located in Cornwall. Since its launch the Centre has proven itself on an international level, with its research and collaboration with Cornish companies making it an exemplar of ho