Alison Elder, Ph.D.

Contact Information

Phone Numbers

Office: (585) 275-2324

Fax: (585) 256-2631

Biography

Research

Toxicology of Inhaled Ultrafine Particles and Engineered Nanomaterials

Our laboratory has focused for several years on the toxicology of inhaled ultrafine particles (UFPs), the most numerous size fraction of particulate air pollution. Interests include the impacts of age, gaseous co-pollutant exposure, and health status on the response(s) to inhaled UFPs. We are also interested in determining the basis for potential adverse effects of inhaled particles in the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.

This research focus has naturally led to our work with engineered nanomaterials. The research commonalities between UFP and nanomaterials are numerous, including the kinetics of tissue distribution following exposure, mechanisms of response related to oxidative stress, particle-protein interactions, and the physicochemical characteristics of the particles that determine response. Our research aims are met by using a combination of animal and cell culture models as well as detailed particle characterization.

In addition to looking for nanosized particles in tissues via chemical and microscopic means, responses are determined by measuring markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in the lung lining fluid, lung tissue, blood, circulating inflammatory cells, and extrapulmonary tissues (e.g. heart, liver, spleen, kidney, brain regions). We also have specific projects focused on cardiovascular stability and neurodegeneration following exposures to UFPs and nanomaterials.

Credentials

Education

1992
BS | Chatham College
Chemistry

1997
PhD | Univ of Cal Irvine
Environmental Toxicology

Post-doctoral Training & Residency

1997 - 2000
Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester

Awards

2009
Young Investigator Award, Inhalation and Respiratory Specialty Section, Society of Toxicology

2007
Cornerstone Alumna Award in Environmental Medicine, Chatham University

1995 - 1996
Graduate Student Fellowship, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

1992
College Chemistry Award, Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh

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Publications

Journal Articles

2/18/2019
Morris-Schaffer K, Merrill A, Jew K, Wong C, Conrad K, Harvey K, Marvin E, Sobolewski M, Oberdörster G, Elder A, Cory-Slechta DA. "Effects of neonatal inhalation exposure to ultrafine carbon particles on pathology and behavioral outcomes in C57BL/6J mice." Particle and fibre toxicology.. 2019 Feb 18; 16(1):10. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

10/10/2017
Stone V, Miller MR, Clift MJD, Elder A, Mills NL, Møller P, Schins RPF, Vogel U, Kreyling WG, Alstrup Jensen K, Kuhlbusch TAJ, Schwarze PE, Hoet P, Pietroiusti A, De Vizcaya-Ruiz A, Baeza-Squiban A, Teixeira JP, Tran CL, Cassee FR. "Nanomaterials Versus Ambient Ultrafine Particles: An Opportunity to Exchange Toxicology Knowledge." Environmental health perspectives.. 2017 Oct 10; 125(10):106002. Epub 2017 Oct 10.

4/6/2017
Shi M, de Mesy Bentley KL, Palui G, Mattoussi H, Elder A, Yang H. "The roles of surface chemistry, dissolution rate, and delivered dose in the cytotoxicity of copper nanoparticles." Nanoscale.. 2017 Apr 6; 9(14):4739-4750.

Books & Chapters

2010
Chapter Title: Particles and the autonomic nervous system
Book Title: Particles and Cardiovascular Disease Mechanisms
Author List: Upadhyay S, Elder A, Cascio WE, Schulz H
Edited By: F.R. Cassee, N.L. Mills, D.E. Newby
Published By: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2010 in Hoboken, NJ

2009
Chapter Title: Human Health Risks of Engineered Nanomaterials
Book Title: Nanotechnology: Risks and Benefits
Author List: Elder A, Lynch I, Grieger K, Chan-Remillard S, Gatti A, Gnewuch H, Kenawy E, Korenstein R, Kuhlbusch T, Linker F, Matias S, Monteiro-Riviere N, Pinto V, Rudnitsky R, Savoleinen K, Shvedova A
Edited By: Linkov I, Steevens J
Published By: Springer 2009 in Dordrecht

2009
Chapter Title: Disposition of Nanoparticles as a Function of their Interactions with Biomolecules
Book Title: Nanotechnology: Risks and Benefits
Author List: Lynch I, Elder A
Edited By: Linkov I, Steevens J
Published By: Springer 2009 in Dordrecht

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