Learning by doing took center stage December 4–5, 2025, as the Texas A&M Superfund Center hosted its biennial Disaster Research Response (DR2) Training Workshop, bringing together dozens of trainees and seasoned experts for two days of immersive, hands-on disaster response training.
Day one laid the groundwork with expert-led sessions on Incident Command Systems and Emergency Operations, Field Research Safety, Post-Disaster Sampling, Human Studies During Disasters, and Communicating Health and Safety Risks through Mass Media. Participants gained critical knowledge needed to operate safely and effectively in complex, real-world disaster environments.
On day two, theory turned into action. Trainees stepped into realistic, scenario-based field exercises, they role-playing disaster response, collecting field samples, collaborating with first responders and government officials, and practicing high-stakes risk communication under pressure.
In total, 32 trainees and 17 expert trainers from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Texas General Land Office (TGLO), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), industry partners, and consulting firms participated, creating an authentic and dynamic “learn-by-doing” experience.
Supported in part by the Texas A&M Office of the Vice President for Research and NIH/NIEHS grants (P42 ES027704, T32 ES026568), the workshop strengthened preparedness of researchers who work to better characterize, mitigate and respond to hazardous chemical exposures during disasters, built vital cross-sector connections, and reinforced best practices for disaster research response.
Prepared. Connected. Ready to respond. This is disaster research training done right.