School of Public and Population Health Associate Professor Cynthia Curl will join the Division of Research and Economic Development Faculty Fellows Program for the 2025-2026 school year.
The program will help faculty explore an academic leadership role in research administration by providing a focused experience that embeds faculty members in the Division of Research and Economic Development. Curl, alongside three other faculty members across the university, will partake in programming exploring research administration, fostering leadership development and working to support Boise State’s strategic research goals.
Curl sees this school year as a “unique moment” for the trajectory of the university’s research capabilities. The desire to be part of this trajectory and have a voice in what research looks like moving forward compelled Curl to apply for the program.
“I wanted to be a part of the conversation about the kind of research growth that matters to Boise State, what kinds of growth will be good for Boise State and how that growth can support our students and our region,” Curl said.
Curl, who has been chosen to represent the faculty compensation area of the Division’s strategic goals, will work with Division staff and a variety of campus leaders throughout the year ahead.
As the founder and director of the Agricultural Health Lab and the Director of the Center for Excellence in Environmental Health and Safety, Curl brings a depth of research experience. Her research interests are focused on environmental health and exposure science, with a particular emphasis on understanding exposures to agricultural chemicals and their effects on farmworkers, agricultural communities and the general public.
Curl has received funding from a wide variety of funding agencies and programs, including large federal grants from the National Institutes of Health and U.S. Department of Agriculture in addition to funding from regional programs like the Mountain West Clinical and Translational Research Network (MW CTR-IN) and local funding sources like St. Luke’s.
“Because of this diversity in awards and projects, I think I can approach questions about our collective research agenda from a range of perspectives,” Curl said.
Curl says she sees faculty playing a role in all aspects of the university and programs like this help promote that perspective. Looking at the year ahead, Curl hopes to encourage growth and improvement regarding areas of research that matter most to students, faculty and the Boise State community.
“I appreciate the Division of Research and Economic Development for their intentional efforts to integrate faculty perspectives through programs like this one,” Curl said.