About

About the GC-CPEH

A regional hub for environmental health research on the Gulf Coast

The Gulf Coast Center for Precision Environmental Health (GC-CPEH) is funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) as a P30 Environmental Health Sciences Core Center (P30ES030285). Based in the Texas Medical Center, it is a partnership of Baylor College of Medicine, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health and the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Together we support environmental health research, career development, community engagement and public health practice across the Gulf Coast.

Meet our members → Center leadership Research Connections Explorer

Community members and researchers working together on environmental health

Our vision

Advancing environmental health through research, community and careers

Shared resourcesFacility Cores give members access to advanced technologies and expertise. Career developmentMentoring and support for the next generation of environmental health scientists. Community engagementWorking with Gulf Coast communities to share findings and act on local concerns.

Rapid research responseReady to study health effects before, during and after environmental disasters.

Thematic focus areas

Three cross-disciplinary research themes

GE²

Genome and Epigenome: Environment Interactions

How our early-life environment shapes health and susceptibility to disease.

Led by Cheryl Walker and Zheng Sun (BCM)

MIHED

Mechanisms and Interventions in Human Environmental Disease

Building on discoveries to find interventions that improve health outcomes.

Led by Elaine Symanski and Daniel Gorelick (BCM)

CEET

Current and Emergent Environmental Threats

Disasters, extreme weather and emerging threats, including veterans’ environmental exposures.

Led by Stephen Linder (UTHealth) and Abi Oluyomi and Drew Helmer (BCM)

Our impact

How our research advances the NIEHS mission

NIEHS mission: research how the environment affects biological systems across the lifespan, and translate that knowledge to reduce disease and promote human health. Follow our three thematic focus areas into the six areas of emphasis in the NIEHS 2025–2029 Strategic Plan and the two halves of the mission. Point to a band to trace it; tap a box to see the members behind it.

Swipe sideways to see the whole diagram →

GE² · Genome & EpigenomeMIHED · Mechanisms & InterventionsCEET · Environmental ThreatsBand width = number of members

How this is built: members are placed by the research keywords on our Members page, and active awards by their NIH RePORTER project titles. A member can work in several areas, so counts overlap. Areas of emphasis are from the NIEHS 2025–2029 Strategic Plan.

Our institutions

Three partners, one Center

Baylor College of Medicine

Home of the Center for Precision Environmental Health, directed by Dr. Cheryl Walker, which studies how genes and the environment interact. BCM’s Advanced Technology Cores provide fee-for-service instruments and expertise and support the GC-CPEH Facility Cores.

UTHealth Houston School of Public Health

Home of the Southwest Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, a NIOSH Education and Research Center that promotes health, safety and well-being at work and in the community.

University of Texas Medical Branch

Home of the Sealy Center for Environmental Health Medicine, which studies environmental causes of disease in the Gulf Coast’s industrial and petrochemical setting, and the Institute for Translational Sciences, which houses UTMB’s NCATS-funded CTSA.

Interested in GC-CPEH membership?

Learn about our nomination process and how to get involved.

Apply for Membership →