oUtline An overview on merit 2. Relevance to environmental and public health 3. Research Programs 4. Highlighting novelty Hypoxia as an endocrine disruptor and teratogen Artificial mussels to monitor heavy metals Multiplex Quantitative Real-time PCR and gene chip technology for monitoring waterborne pathogens 5. Deliverables and impactOutline 1. An overview on MERIT 2. Relevance to environmental and public health 3. Research Programs 4. Highlighting novelty • Hypoxia as an endocrine disruptor and teratogen • Artificial mussels to monitor heavy metals • Multiplex Quantitative Real-time PCR and gene chip technology for monitoring waterborne pathogens 5. Deliverables and impact