Targeted Research Training (TRT) Program For Postdoctoral Candidates

The TRT provides advanced, interdisciplinary post-doctoral training in occupational health and safety (OHS) research for 1-2 year, with particular focus on recruiting individuals from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. A particular emphasis is to align with the high-priority OHS issues of the first-responder community in conjunction with NIOSH strategic goals to reduce (1) occupational cancer, cardiovascular disease, adverse reproductive outcomes and other chronic disease, (2) occupational immune, infectious and dermal disease, (3) occupational musculoskeletal disorders and (4) to improve workplace safety to reduce traumatic injuries. For more information, please contact Dr. Leena Nylander-French, director of NC OSHERC and the TRT Program or John Staley, Director of the Outreach and Continuing Education.

Our 2021 TRT Post-doctoral Fellows:

Gena Gerstner, PhD, MPH
Dr. Gerstner is currently an Assistant Professor of Exercise Science, in the Department of Human Movement Sciences at Old Dominion University (ODU). Her background and interests include worksite safety and health promotion, particularly with first responders, as well as a history of collaboration with Dr. Eric Ryan, Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology at UNC and a member of the TRT administrative team. Additionally, Dr. Ryan serves as her primary, postdoctoral mentor during the fellowship.

Elizabeth (Libby) McClure, PhD, MS
Dr. McClure is currently serving as a Senior Epidemiologist with the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Communicable Disease Branch and COVID-19 response. Her practice and research experience has focused on exposures to workplace hazards, and she has collaborated with Dr. David Richardson, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at UNC and a member of the TRT administrative team. Dr. Richardson serves as her primary, postdoctoral mentor during the fellowship.