Current Students
Susiarjo Lab
Research Interest:
Investigating how maternal exposure to endocrine disruptors alters mechanisms of immune tolerance, leading to adverse maternal and fetal health outcomes.
DeLouise Lab
Research Interest:
My thesis is investigating the microplastic mimetic model in allergic contact dermatitis. My research focuses on the toxicological impacts of environmental contaminants specifically microplastics, nanoparticles, metals, and persistent organic pollutants on skin and immune health. I employ nanomembrane technology to analyze environmental water samples, aiming to elucidate the extent of microplastic pollution and its potential health implications.
Susiarjo Lab
Research Interest:
Studying the underlying mechanisms of how endocrine disrupting chemicals influence maternal metabolic health.
Calvi Lab
Research Interest:
Investigating how aging and radiation reshape the bone marrow microenvironment to influence hematopoietic function and clonal evolution.
Lawrence Lab
Research Interest:
I am interested in studying the effects of PFAS exposure during early life development and its effects on the adaptive immune system. My work is currently focused on how PFAS alter T cell responses to different immune challenges later in life.
Elder Lab
Research Interest:
My research investigates how airborne ultra-fine particulate matter from simulated burn-pits impacts the lung-brain axis and neurodegenerative pathology. My work currently focuses on inflammatory pathways and metal tissue burdens after exposures, as well as the combined stressor of circadian disruption.
Elder Lab
Research Interest:
My research examines how exposure to airborne ultrafine particulate matter influences inflammation along the lung-brain axis and neurodegenerative disease progression. Using a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, I aim to investigate the mechanisms linking inhaled environmental pollutants to blood-brain-barrier dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and cognitive decline. My work combines inhalation toxicology, molecular analyses, and behavioral assessments to better understand environmental contributors to neurodegenerative disease risk.
Sobolewski Lab
Medical Scientist Training Program (M.D., Ph.D.)
Research Interest:
The role of inhaled iron in neurodegenerative disease processes
Onukwufor Lab
Research Interest:
My research explores the effects of heavy metal mixtures on mitochondrial function and epigenetic modulation.
Robert Lab
Research Interest:
My research involves assessing the effects of environmentally relevant micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) on intestinal homeostasis and immunity during early development. I am particularly interested in understanding the association between MNPs and the development of allergic and inflammatory diseases.
Benjamin Miller Lab
Research Interest:
Observing the effects of poly/perfluoroalkyl substances and other environmentally ubiquitous toxicants on the human blood-brain barrier, especially concerning chronic neuroinflammation and barrier disruption, using organ-on-a-chip systems.
Rowe Lab
Research Interest:
The relationship between chemosensory neurons and subsets of myeloid cells in the main olfactory epithelium.
Second Year
Research Interest:
My research aims to explore how pregnancy and maternal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals remodel serotonin sensitive neural circuits that control energy balance and blood glucose regulation. Understanding these neural circuitry adaptations may reveal new targets for preventing gestational and/or postpartum metabolic complications
Anolik Lab
Research Interest:
Investigating the role of B cells in autoimmune disease
Georas Lab
Research Interest:
Investigating the effects of Diacetyl on the lung epithelial barrier and factors that modulate those effects.
O'Connor Lab
Research Interest:
Investigating the immune modulatory effects of environmental exposures.
Sarkar Lab
Research Interest:
I investigate how exposure to environmental toxicants can increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. My thesis project is to develop an environmentally relevant mouse model of paraquat inhalation, a commonly used herbicide in the United States linked to Parkinson's disease in humans. My research suggests that paraquat inhalation in mice, simulating occupational exposure in farms, leads to a loss of dopamine-producing neurons, a hallmark of PD.
McGraw Lab
Research Interest:
Studying airway epithelial basal cells during a dysregulated repair response after a toxic inhalation injury, and how they contribute to the development of Bronchiolitis Obliterans pathology
Lawrence Lab
Research Interest:
Studying the mechanism of how exposures to perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) alters immune system development and responses to viral infection.
Onukwufor Lab
Research Interest:
Iron toxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction in the context of aging and Alzheimer's Disease
Pain and Perceptions Lab
Research Interest:
Investigating ketamine-assisted psychotherapy as a treatment for chronic pain and treatment resistant depression. Primary methods used are fMRI, biological measures, and self-assessments. Also interested in looking at the interaction of these conditions with environmental toxicants.
Astapova Lab
Research Interest:
Investigating ovarian insulin signaling and the role of dietary glycotoxins in polycystic ovary syndrome