My research objective is to determine the causes and mechanisms of human diseases – particularly those that disrupt brain development and aging. My group focuses on vulnerable gene pathways and physiological systems that are targets of environmental exposures. Research projects in the lab interrogate the impacts of environmental stressors on gene expression, mutagenesis, development, cellular and molecular aging, and inflammatory cascades in the nervous system.
At OSU
TOX 435/535. Genes and Chemicals in Agriculture: Value and Risk
Professional Accomplishments
PhD (2012). University of Hawaii at Manoa
MS (2007). Bucknell University
BS (2005). University of New Mexico
Assistant Professor (2024-present), Tenure-Track. Oregon State University. Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology.
Assistant Professor (2017-2024), Tenure-Track. Columbia University. Department of Environmental Health Sciences. Mailman School of Public Health.
Postdoc (2015-2017). German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Translational Biogerontology Lab.
Postdoc (2012-2015). UNC-Chapel Hill. Cell and Molecular Biology Department.
Biologist (2007-2008). National Instutite of Mental Health, NIH. Laboratory of Molecular Pathophysiology.
Intern (2000-2005). Los Alamos National Laboratory. Earth and Environmental Sciences
2024 National Science Foundation (NSF) Reviewer
2024 Research Training Fellowship Reviewer, Action Medical Research (British)
2024 University Judicial Board member, Columbia University
2024 Co-Director, PhD Program, Environmental Health Sciences Department, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health
2024 Grant Reviewer, RFA-AG-24-021 Understanding Gene-Environment Interactions in Brain Aging and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD) (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
2023-present Grant Reviewer, Neurotoxicology and Alcohol Study Section, NIH Center for Scientific Review
2023-present Advisor, The Health Education Project, A high school student led Public Health Program https://thehealtheducationproject.vercel.app
2023-present Technical Advisor, Systematic scoping review and evidence mapping project, Environmental Exposures and ASD, NIEHS, NIH
2023-2024 Expert Witness in Multi-District Litigation, In re Acetaminophen – ASD-ADHD Products Liability Litigation
2022-present Scientific Advisory Committee, Reproductive Medicine Consortium, Uniklinikum, Bonn, Germany
2022-2024 Member, Learning Opportunities Action Core, Columbia FORWARD Program (Fighting Oppression, Racism, and White Supremacy Through Action, Research, and Discourse).
2022-2024 Member, Columbia Plastic Pollution Analysis and Sustainable Solutions (PPASS) Working Group, Columbia Climate School
2022 External Grant Review Panel for the Diamond Pilot Project, Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
2022-2024 Co-chair, Columbia University Seminar (USEM) “The Future of Aging Research”
2020-2024 Discussion Facilitator, Self, Social and Global Awareness Series, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health.
2020-2023 Judge, Women in STEM (WiSTEM) ENVISION research proposal competition.
2020-2024 Columbia SHARP Scholarship Reviewer (Epigenetics Boot Camp, Microbiome Boot Camp, Google Earth Engine Boot Camp, and Quantitative Genomics Training).
2020-2021 Abstract Judge: Neurotoxicity Specialty Section Toshio Narahashi Poster Award Competition, Society of Toxicology
2019-2024 Member, Doctoral Admissions Committee, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University
2019-2025 Affiliate Member, Columbia Zuckerman Institute
2019-2020 Planning and Development Team Member, Collaboratory Fellows Fund, Columbia Data Science Institute, “Integrating Data Science into Environmental Health Sciences” Funded 2019-2020
2019-2020 400 Years of Inequality event planning committee, Mailman School
2019 NIEHS P30 Cross-Center Meeting Planning Committee
2019-2024 Full Faculty Member, Columbia USEM: “The Future of Aging Research”
2018-2019 Instructor for Columbia University SHARP Training Skills for Health and Research Professionals Course: PI Crash Course: Skills for Future or New Lab Leaders (Project Management Module)
2018-2022 Member, Doctoral Student Qualifying Exam Committee, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University
2018-2024 Member, MPH Applicant Review Committee, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University
2018 External Grant Reviewer: Scientific Evaluation Panel “Contaminants, ecosystems and health” ANR – Agence Nationale de la Recherche / The French National Research Agency
2017 Visiting Instructor, Advanced Rodent Behavior, Histology, and Microscopy, University of Łódź, Poland.
2016-2017 Instructor, Protein Misfolding and Aggregation in Neurodegenerative Diseases Module, Neuroscience MSc Program, Universität Bonn, Germany
2013-2015 University of North Carolina. Biological & Biomedical Sciences Program. Presentation Evaluator
2012 Local Organizing Committee, International Behavioral Neuroscience Society Annual Meeting, Kona, HI
2011-2012 Education and Training Committee, International Behavioral Neuroscience Society
Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society (EMGS)
Society of Toxicology (SOT)