RESEARCH THEMES

New Approach Methods in Toxicology

We apply concepts from evolutionary to understand how species differ in sensitivity to environmental contaminants. We also combine computational toxicology, high-throughput toxicity testing, and molecular biology to improve the accuracy of chemical risk prediction and reduce animal testing. 
Funding
  • 2020-2022. Alexandria Renew Enterprises. Survey of Micropollutants in Fluvial Sediments and Water from Hunting Creek and the Freshwater Tidal Potomac River.
  • 2021-2022. George Mason Seed Grant. What’s on tap? Mapping complex exposures in drinking water to human health outcomes.
  • 2020-2021. U.S. Geological Survey & Water Resources Research Institute.​ Next-generation effects-based monitoring of contaminants in the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers.
  • 2020-2021. U.S. Geological Survey & Water Resources Research Institute. Toxicity of organic contaminants in urban and suburban areas of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers

Physiological Responses to Global Change

Many types of environmental stressors, from contaminants to climate change, can ultimately impact physiological stress in animals, how they devote resources to different tasks, and their ability to mount effective immune responses. We focus on developing genetic and protein biomarkers to identify and characterize signs of stress and immune impairment in populations before downstream effects to fitness occur. 

Evolution of Aging & Cancer

We use evolutionary comparative approaches to understand the genetic and physiological basis of how different species deal with the challenges of aging and cancer. We focus on non-mammalian systems to offer new perspectives or mechanisms that have been neglected by medical biology.
Funding
  • 2021-2024. NSF IOS-PSS-IEP #2028459. Determining the role of ER stress in the evolution of large bodies and long lifespans.
  • ​2018-2020. NSF EPSCoR #1833065. A Functional Genomics Approach to Explain the Evolution of Large Bodies and Long Lifespans.

ENvironmental Education

We use video making and K-12 outreach to help foster the next generation of environmental leaders.
Funding
  • 2020-2022. NOAA Marine Debris Prevention Program. A Community Approach to Reducing Single-Use Plastic Beverage Bottles ​