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.