Award announcement · October 16, 2026
At the 2026 GC-CPEH Annual Member Retreat, the Center presented the inaugural Elferink Award for Excellence in Exploratory Research to two GC-CPEH members from Baylor College of Medicine.
Kristina Whitworth, PhD
Associate Professor, Center for Precision Environmental Health and Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine
Award presentation“Impacts of neighborhood adversity on pregnancy outcomes”
GC-CPEH Full Member · MIHED thematic focus area · Leadership Development Program graduate (Pilot Project Program)
- R01HD111500 · Impacts of neighborhood features on perinatal health (NICHD)
- UH3OD035544 · The Houston ECHO Pregnancy Cohort Study Site (NIH Office of the Director)
Shelly A. Buffington, PhD
Assistant Professor, Center for Precision Environmental Health and Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine
Award presentation“Precision targeting of the gut microbiome in environmental exposure models for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders”
GC-CPEH Full Member · GE² thematic focus area · Leadership Development Program (PIPELINE Facility Core) · 2026 TAMEST Protégé
- R01HD109095 · Targeting opportunistic pathogens to improve maternal obesity-associated health outcomes in offspring (NICHD)
- R01HD109780 · Maternal gut microbiota in fetal programming of neurodevelopment and related disorders (NICHD)
About the award
The Elferink Award honors the memory of Cornelis “Kees” Elferink, PhD, former GC-CPEH Co-Director at the University of Texas Medical Branch, a respected scientist, mentor and educator. It recognizes excellence in exploratory environmental health research, in the spirit of his commitment to supporting the next generation of scientists.
Casey Wright, PhD, Director of the GC-CPEH Pilot Project Program, introduced the award and announced the recipients. A reception in the Levy Conference Room at the TMC3 Collaborative Building followed the ceremony.
Congratulations to Dr. Whitworth and Dr. Buffington!