Stella Tommasi, PhD
Assistant Professor of Research Population and Public Health Sciences
Biography
I am an Assistant Professor of Research in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences (PPHS) and a Full Member of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center (NCCC), Genomic and Epigenomic Regulation Program (GER). Research in my laboratory focuses on investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of cancer and other chronic diseases. Specifically, we aim to elucidate how the genome and epigenome are affected by lifestyle (e.g., smoking, vaping, diet) and environmental exposures (e.g., air pollutants, chemical contaminants). Using a combination of novel seq-based omics technologies, classic molecular biology assays, and bioinformatics tools, my group investigates the role played by tobacco toxicants/carcinogens (and environmental pollutants) in the pathogenesis of cancer and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a primary form of liver disease and a growing global epidemic. Characterizing the interaction of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental determinants can provide insights into the complexity and heterogeneity of cancer and NAFLD. Improving our mechanistic understanding of their etiology will be instrumental in developing effective strategies for the prevention, early detection, treatment and monitoring of these diseases.
Research Interests
- Disparities
- Vulnerable Populations
- Chronic Conditions
- Risk Factors
- Cancer
- Lifestyle
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Genetics
- Translational Research
- Exposures
- Human Health Impacts
- Environmental Omics
- PFAS
- Informatics
- Genomic Data Sciences
Publications
DNA Hydroxymethylation in Smoking-Associated Cancers.
Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Feb 28;23(5). doi: 10.3390/ijms23052657. Epub 2022 Feb 28. PubMed PMID: 35269796; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8910185.
Secondhand smoke affects reproductive functions by altering the mouse testis transcriptome, and leads to select intron retention in Pde1a.
Environ Int. 2022 Mar;161:107086. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107086. Epub 2022 Jan 18. PubMed PMID: 35063792; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8891074.
The consequential impact of JUUL on youth vaping and the landscape of tobacco products: The state of play in the COVID-19 era.
Prev Med Rep. 2021 Jun;22:101374. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101374. Epub 2021 Apr 20. PubMed PMID: 34168950; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8207461.
Hydroxychloroquine induces oxidative DNA damage and mutation in mammalian cells.
DNA Repair (Amst). 2021 Oct;106:103180. doi: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103180. Epub 2021 Jul 16. PubMed PMID: 34298488; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8435022.
Relationships among smoking, oxidative stress, inflammation, macromolecular damage, and cancer.
Mutat Res Rev Mutat Res. 2021 Jan-Jun;787:108365. doi: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2021.108365. Epub 2021 Jan 11. PubMed PMID: 34083039; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8287787.
Courses Taught
- Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- Foundations in Health Education and Promotion