For many residents of Utah’s Salt Lake Valley, winter isn’t just about snowflakes and scenic mountain views. It’s also the season of inversions—when cold air traps pollutants close to the ground, turning the valley into a bowl of stagnant, unhealthy air. For those who live and breathe in this environment, the effects aren’t just visible in hazy skies; they manifest in coughs, asthma attacks, and long-term health complications. But what if the very people most affected by these conditions held the key to finding solutions?

Enter the HAPPIEST Project—an acronym for Health, Air Pollution, and Population Initiative in Education and Science Training. Funded by the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences under the R25 program, HAPPIEST provides faculty-mentored undergraduate research experiences with a focus on air pollution and health issues. As explained by Co-Director Tim Collins, "Our program focuses, as the title suggests, on air pollution and health issues. The faculty come from across campus, including Health Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Engineering, and City and Metropolitan Planning. We have a really wide array of scientists and faculty involved in the program." 

Research and Mentorship in Action

HAPPIEST provides a ten-week summer research program, set to run again from May 19 to August 1, 2025. Designed to enable students from communities most impacted by air pollution, the program offers hands-on experience in scientific research related to air quality and public health.

Pairs of undergraduate students work in small research teams under faculty and graduate student mentorship, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Faculty from disciplines such as psychiatry, engineering, political science, and environmental health provide students with interdisciplinary perspectives on air pollution research. Some faculty mentors focus on mental health and air quality, while others engage students in real-time air quality monitoring through electric buses and public transit systems.

One such student, Kevin Ramos, an undergraduate in the Department of Geography studying Geographic Information Science, has participated in HAPPIEST for three summers. "I had the honor to work with Dr. Sara Grineski, Dr. Tim Collins, and Roger Renteria on creating a dataset on present and historical US EPA Superfund sites dating back to the 1850s. These data can help future environmental health research by providing historical insight into the spatial distribution of hazardous environmental exposures," says Ramos. He is continuing this research, investigating whether parents’ proximity to a Superfund site correlates with cases of intellectual disability in their children. Reflecting on his experience, Ramos shared, "My favorite summer memory was simply going into the workspace and problem-solving with my team. There were lots of laughs and good memories in our workspace. One of the most surprising things I learned as a researcher this summer is that the city of Murray was once home to the largest lead smelter."

Funding Opportunities and Career Development

Each participant receives a $5,000 stipend (after taxes) and up to four students are provided on-campus housing for the summer. This financial support enables students to fully engage in research without financial strain.

In addition to research, students receive funding to present their findings at regional or national conferences within a year of their participation. In April 2024, four undergraduate students and three graduate students presented their HAPPIEST research at the Southwest Social Science Association annual meeting in New Orleans. This April, six HAPPIEST undergraduate students have been accepted to present their projects at the same conference in Las Vegas.  This opportunity helps them gain professional exposure and build confidence in scientific communication.

Addressing Real-World Air Quality Issues

HAPPIEST research projects aim to address the environmental health challenges that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Notable faculty researchers have participated such as Scott Collingwood from Pediatrics. He collaborates with Salt Lake County on the "Healthy Homes" project, which examines how outdoor pollution affects indoor environments. Students in this program collected data from households and assessed the impact of indoor air quality interventions.

Additionally, Kerry Kelly from Chemical Engineering leads efforts to expand low-cost air quality sensor networks to underserved areas. These sensors provide real-time air pollution data, helping researchers and residents alike understand air quality fluctuations throughout the valley. Through hands-on engagement, students contributed to community-focused solutions and environmental justice efforts.

Advancing Environmental Health Science

Since its launch in 2021, HAPPIEST has supported thirty-one undergraduate students, many of whom have continued into graduate programs, public health careers, and environmental advocacy roles. By providing mentorship, research opportunities, and professional development, HAPPIEST plays a crucial role in diversifying the environmental health sciences field while equipping students with the tools to address pressing air quality issues.

As the program prepares for its 2025 cohort, it remains dedicated to fostering the next generation of environmental health scientists and changemakers. Through rigorous research, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration, HAPPIEST continues to make a meaningful impact on both students and the broader Salt Lake Valley community.

Click here to learn more about the HAPPIEST Project