Reflections on the NIEHS Virtual Consortium funding mechanism (ViCTER) and what it has taught us about the future of transdisciplinary science

Almudena Veiga-Lopez; Hanna E Stevens; Matthew Rand; Ronald Tjalkens; Birgit Claus Henn; Carmen J Marsit; Alison I Bernstein; Matthew R Bonner; Hanne M Hoffmann; Jaymie R Meliker

doi:10.1016/j.tox.2025.154283

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Reflections on the NIEHS Virtual Consortium funding mechanism (ViCTER) and what it has taught us about the future of transdisciplinary science

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Reflections on the NIEHS Virtual Consortium funding mechanism (ViCTER) and what it has taught us about the future of transdisciplinary science

Almudena Veiga-Lopez, Hanna E Stevens, Matthew Rand, Ronald Tjalkens, Birgit Claus Henn, Carmen J Marsit, Alison I Bernstein, Matthew R Bonner, Hanne M Hoffmann and Jaymie R Meliker

Toxicology (Amsterdam), Vol.518, 154283

12/2025

DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2025.154283

PMCID: PMC12713344

PMID: 40972998

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Abstract

In environmental health science, collaboration across disciplines is often encouraged but rarely specifically solicited through funding mechanisms. The United States National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Virtual Consortium for Translational/Transdisciplinary Environmental Research (ViCTER) program fostered and promoted early-stage transdisciplinary collaborations among basic, clinical, and population-based researchers in the environmental health field. ViCTER awards are typically three-year R01 grants that include at least one NIEHS-funded PI and engage partners from distinct disciplines or institutions. By design, ViCTER created space for scientifically diverse research teams, including epidemiologists, clinicians, toxicologists, molecular biologists, often across multiple institutions, to work side-by-side, not sequentially, to address complex environmental challenges. This commentary reflects on how ViCTER catalyzed scientific advances, transformed careers, and created a model for the future of translational environmental health research.

Toxicology

Epidemiology

Environmental Health

consortia

interdisciplinary

Details

Title: Subtitle: Reflections on the NIEHS Virtual Consortium funding mechanism (ViCTER) and what it has taught us about the future of transdisciplinary science
Creators: Almudena Veiga-Lopez - University of Illinois Chicago
Hanna E Stevens - University of Iowa
Matthew Rand - University of Rochester
Ronald Tjalkens - Colorado State University
Birgit Claus Henn - Boston University
Carmen J Marsit - Emory University
Alison I Bernstein - Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute
Matthew R Bonner - University at Buffalo, State University of New York
Hanne M Hoffmann - Michigan State University
Jaymie R Meliker - Stony Brook University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Toxicology (Amsterdam), Vol.518, 154283
DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2025.154283
PMID: 40972998
PMCID: PMC12713344
NLM abbreviation: Toxicology
ISSN: 1879-3185
eISSN: 1879-3185
Publisher: Elsevier
Grant note: US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institute of Health: R01ES035691, P30ES027792, R01ES030937, R01ES030938, R01ES030940, R01ES035696
Research reported in this publication was supported by the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the National Institute of Health: R01ES035691; P30ES027792; R01ES030937; R01ES030938;R01ES030940;R01ES035696.
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 09/17/2025
Date published: 12/2025
Academic Unit: Psychiatry; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Record Identifier: 9984963524102771

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