ORONO – A University of Maine student in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is one of 22 students in the nation selected to receive a Greater Research Opportunities Fellowship from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Jamie Young of Portland received one of only two awards granted in New England for her research regarding potential exposure of the general public to hexavalent chromium and arsenic, two known lung carcinogens.

Her research will focus on developing a model for understanding the toxic interactions between these environmental contaminants commonly found in drinking water. The study, which she is conducting at the University of Southern Maine’s Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology, is slated to run through Aug. 31, 2011.

A total of 156 applicants competed this year for 22 fellowships. Graduate fellows receive up to $37,000 a year to complete their degrees.