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Curtis Noonan

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Curtis Noonan

2000 …2026

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Research Interests

  1. Air pollution exposures and respiratory health. Household air pollution due to biomass combustion has been identified as a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Exposed populations in lower income countries are primary drivers of these global heath data, but many vulnerable populations in higher income countries are exposed where biomass is used for residential heating. My laboratory has led the first and most comprehensive intervention trials in the United States to improve indoor air quality and health among vulnerable populations living in homes that heat with wood burning. Since my arrival to the University of Montana in 2004 I have been the Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator on several studies, including three NIEHS R01s, of biomass combustion smoke exposures and health outcomes. 
  2. Biomarkers in people exposed to household air pollution. In connection with our studies of communities and homes with biomass smoke combustion exposures, my laboratory has investigated several biomarkers. These represent some of the first studies in such settings to utilize biomarkers as a tool for characterizing individual-level exposure and health effects. 
  3. Occupational and environmental exposure to elongated mineral fibers and health effects. Libby, Montana, a rural community with a legacy of exposure to amphibole asbestos, was the first Superfund site to be declared a Public Health Emergency by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Since 2005 I have played key roles on a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional team to answer questions about historical exposure characterization and health impacts among both occupationally and environmentally exposed populations. For the first time in this study population I developed a systematic approach for characterizing exposure and integrating across environmental and occupational pathways. For several studies with this community I have been the primary data analyst on autoimmune, pulmonary function, symptom and radiological outcomes in these populations.
  4. Vulnerable communities and health equities. I have collaborated on several extramurally-funded community-based participatory research projects focused on diabetes risk factors and health disparities among Northern Plains American Indian tribes. I played a key role in the study design and data analysis of these studies that seek to translate known diabetes prevention strategies (e.g., Diabetes Prevention Program) to community-based participatory models that impact vulnerable communities.
  5. Occupational health. As part of my early-career research I was engaged in occupational health studies investigating electric power workers and neurodegenerative disease. More recently, I have turned my attention to occupational exposures related to wildland firefighting. Our laboratory has been among the first to investigate long term exposure and health consequences of working in wildland fire suppression.

Education/Academic qualification

Doctorate, Environmental Health, Colorado State University

Master, George Washington University

Bachelor, University of California at Berkeley

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
    SDG 2 Zero Hunger
  2. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
  3. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
  4. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  5. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
  6. SDG 13 - Climate Action
    SDG 13 Climate Action
  7. SDG 15 - Life on Land
    SDG 15 Life on Land

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