Epigenetic alterations underlie a wide variety of pathologies, including cancer, by regulating gene activity. There is a great deal of potential for the use of epigenetics as biomarkers for better understanding the early stage biological response and molecular mechanisms. The research in my lab focuses on identifying environmental epigenetic biomarkers and understanding their relationship to risk of disease.

Epigenetic studies in inflammation

My most recent basic research focuses on the development of epigenetic biomarkers and determining their relationship to environmental exposure and the risk of pulmonary dysfunction. After joining the Center for Environmental Health Sciences (CEHS) as a new faculty member in 2012, I started using murine models to examine epigenetic alterations and pulmonary dysfunction after exposure to nanomaterials that play a significant role in lung disease. In particular, I am currently researching the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), a new type of engineered nanomaterial, on lung disease and exposure-induced epigenetic alterations. This aforementioned study aims to help identify environmental epigenetic biomarkers for MWCNT exposure and their relationship to MWCNT-induced pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation. I am also working on identifying the relationship between epigenetic biomarkers and indoor PM and dietary exposures in asthmatic children. In addition, I am studying the effect of in utero environmental tobacco smoke exposure on adverse respiratory outcomes in offspring. 

Epigenetic studies and environmental factors

I examined the influence of environmental factors (i.e. age) and personal living style (i.e. diet, smoking and drinking) in epigenetic patterns as a means for understanding the onset of chronic disease. Recently, I determined the effects of age, tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking status on global DNA methylation in healthy subjects. In addition, I researched the impact of a high fat diet on methylation patterns in mice.

Epigenetic studies in breast cancer

I conducted several breast cancer studies using two large cohorts: Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project and Breast Cancer Family Registry. Within these projects, I focused on the development of epigenetic biomarkers, specifically global and gene-specific methylation for risk of breast cancer.

PHAR 444 - Pharmacol/Tox II

PHAR 559 - Public Health & Pharmacoeconomics

BMED 642 - Toxicology II

BMED 643 - Cellular and Molecualar Toxicology

BMED 593 - Current Research Literature