Safety Center Research

Under the direction of Dr. Melinda Treadwell, the KSC Safety Studies program is conducting a project funded by the U.S. Department of Justice.  The Safety Center at Keene State College is implementing the use of state of the art technology and novel computer software developed by the University of New Hampshire to better prepare emergency first responders for the challenges of responding to emergency incidents involving chemical, radiological, and biological hazards.  This software will be used to provide up to date information to advise emergency first responders. The project will develop site-specific educational curricula for law enforcement and security personnel using information in UNHCEMS and will quantitatively assess the benefit of this type of integrated training and education. This training and education will be delivered to the pilot project participants using state of the art instructional facilities and resources now being developed at Keene State College.  This grant is worth in excess of $900,000. 

The Safety Center at Keene State College is teaming with the Dartmouth Medical School and was awarded a research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  The grant totals over $12million, over a five-year period.  The Safety Center received $1,300,000 as part of the grant.  This has permitted Melinda Treadwell, who heads up the project, to investigate environmental factors that contribute to lung diseases, including lung cancer, which accounts for over 30 percent of all cancer deaths in New Hampshire.  An exciting aspect of this project is that it provides undergraduate research opportunities for KSC students,”

Recently, as a direct result of Dr. Treadwell’s proven expertise, a research consortium has approached Keene State College to partner with them to develop a bio-diesel manufacturing and distribution facility for the Monadnock region.  A number of local agencies and companies have already expressed an interest in becoming part of this project and adopting this “greener” source of fuel.