Faculty
Primary Faculty
Delineating mechanisms by which environmental exposures during different life stages alter immune function
Identify new targets susceptible to environmental perturbation in relevance with neurodevelopment or neurodegenerative diseases by utilizing functional genetics/genomics (RNAi and CRISPR screens and Next-Generation sequencing), and molecular benchwork. Discover the link between genetic polymorphism of the targets and neurological diseases. Explore novel roles of extracellular vesicles (EV) in receptor signaling and cell communication. Identify EV-encapsulated biomolecules released by the placenta in response to environmental perturbation. Explore the roles of placenta-derived EVs on neurodevelopment or neurodegeneration
Redox signaling mechanism of Proinflammatory gene expression in pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory lung diseases caused by environmental toxicants
Mechanisms of toxicity of the environmental contaminant and neurotoxicant methylmercury (MeHg), defining MeHg effects on early life development of neural and muscular systems at the molecular, cellular, and organismal levels using invertebrate and mammalian models, and detailed characterization of MeHg metabolism and elimination kinetics in humans.
Develop a research program concentrating on identifying genetic modifiers of environmental factors in disease etiology using a combination of Drosophila genetics, cell culture, and rodent models
Neurotoxicology, Etiology of neurobehavioral disease, Endocrine dysfunction, Synergistic Toxicity.
Our research program focuses on mechanisms underlying gene environment interaction in pregnancy. We are interested in elucidating how environmental factors influence epigenetic regulation of developmental-relevant genes including imprinted genes, and how exposure modulates maternal-fetal health.
Research Faculty
Effects of exposure to perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) on antiviral immunity
Secondary Faculty
Defining molecular pathways by which allergens and particulates activate epithelia and dendritic cells in the lung immune system
Genetic and environmental susceptibility to developmental lung injury
Defining how an aberrant oxygen environment and oxygen-induced DNA damage signaling alter distal lung development, the host response to respiratory viral infections, and promotes cardiovascular disease later in life
Chronic lung disease of prematurity and lung development
Cardiovascular, respiratory, and perinatal/reproductive health effects of exposure to environmental agents, including ambient air pollution
Using statistics in environmental health, measurement error, multiple outcomes, Bayesian inference
Emeritus Faculty
Understanding the toxicities, mechanisms of action, and dose-response relationship for methyl mercury and other heavy metals.
