Environmental Epidemiology
Research and Specialization
- Research investigating the role of long-term ambient air pollution exposures (gaseous and particulate matter air pollutants, airport related ultrafine particles, air toxics included benzene and others) in relation to risk and mortality cancer and non-cancer phenotypes (e.g., COPD, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, rheumatoid arthritis).
- Investigate pesticide/herbicide exposure and childhood cancers, hormone-related cancers in adults, Parkinson’s Disease, dementia, and autism.
- Examine UV exposure and skin cancer in (1) kids; (2) skin of color; (3) clinically at-risk populations (esp. skin cancer survivors).
- Determine the role of tobacco, vaping, and cannabis in association with cancer risk.
- Research to measure and examine ubiquitous chemical pollutants in the environment such as PFAS, phthalates and other chemicals in plastics in association with cancer risk.
- Explore the role of the built environment (e.g. access to green space and light at night) and social environment impacts on cancer risk and the success of cancer control efforts.
- A new area of interest is to examine climate change events such as wildfires and extreme heat on various health outcomes including longevity.