Research

Current research grants

Risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias from perinatal lead exposure: Brain region and cell type effects

To identify the consequences of perinatal lead exposure in the mouse brain by pathology, DNA methylation, hydroxymethylation, and RNA expression, including measures at the single cell level. Results from these experiments will advance our understanding of how early life lead exposures affect the brain, with potential implications for the lifelong impacts on dementia.

Principal Investigators: Kelly Bakulski, Justin Colacino (R01 AG072396; 2022-2027)

Study of the environment and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (SEAD)

To comprehensively evaluate a wide range of modifiable environmental exposures, including the currently ubiquitous environmental neurotoxicants lead and cadmium, to advance scientific understanding on the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and inform individual-level and population-level interventions to effectively prevent or reduce the burden of ADRD.

Principal Investigators: Kelly Bakulski, Sung Kyun Park (R01 AG070897; 2021-2026)

SEAD is recruiting a postdoctoral research fellow to participate in the analysis of chemical mixtures and incident dementia! We provide training and career development activities. Please send your cover letter and CV in an email to Kelly and Sung Kyun.

DNA methylation in context: Racial inequities in social adversity and vulnerability to the health impact of air pollution

To determine the associations between DNA methylation and chemical and non-chemical social stressors in the Health and Retirement Study.

Principal Investigator: Margaret Hicken (R01 AG074887; 2021-2026)

Check out the Landscapes of Population Health team here!

DNA Methylation, Genetics, and Modifiable Risk Factors of Dementia in a Nationally Representative, Multi-Ethnic Cohort

To identify modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias that influence DNA methylation and dementia status among groups at increased risk for dementia including women, minority groups, rural inhabitants, and those with low educational attainment.

Principal Investigators: Kelly Bakulski, Erin Ware (R01 AG067592; 2020-2025)

ALS Gene and Environment Interactions

To determine how cumulative genetic risk for ALS and genetic variability in enzymes involved in the metabolism of environmental toxicants (xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes) impact the risk and progression of ALS, and how they interact with lifelong environmental exposures of ALS subjects.

Principal Investigators: Kelly Bakulski, Stephen Goutman (ALSA 20-IIA-532; 2019-2022)

Toxicant-Stimulated Disruption of Gestational Tissues with Implications for Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

To assess toxicant-induced activation of oxidative stress and cytokine responses in placental villous explants and disrupted placental tissue function. To test toxicant-induced impairment of extraplacental membrane resistance to GBS infection mediated by oxidative stress.

Project 2 of the Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PROTECT) Superfund Research Program.

Project 2 Principal Investigators: Rita Loch-Caruso, Kelly Bakulski, Sean Harris (P42 ES017198; 2019-2025)

Racial inequalities in health throughout adulthood: The cumulative impact of neighborhood chemical and non-chemical stressors on epigenomic pathways

To assess the role of DNA methylation with exposures to social and toxicant stressors and chronic disease in the Americans Changing Lives (ACL) cohort.

Principal Investigator: Margaret Hicken (R01 MD013299; 2018-2023)

Completed research grants

Characterizing disparities in Alzheimer's disease risk through polygenic risk and epidemiologic factors in the Health and Retirement Study

To investigate polygenic risk in susceptibility to dementia, particularly among groups at increased risk of disease, including women, minorities, rural inhabitants, and those with low educational attainment. Because an individual’s susceptibility to dementia is likely a combination of genetics and environmental risk factors, we will jointly test the effects of cumulative genetic risk and dementia risk factors in our analysis. The proposal provides an opportunity to identify a genetic etiologic component in vulnerable groups that could lead to mechanistic understanding or targeted interventions to substantially benefit public health in the US.

Principal Investigators: Kelly Bakulski, Erin Ware (R01AG055406; 2017-2022)

Biomarkers of placental response to toxicants

To identify new biomarkers of placental responses to toxicant exposures and implement emerging methodologies for assessing placental health.

Principal Investigators: Kelly Bakulski, Rita Loch-Caruso, Steven Domino, University of Michigan (M-Cubed program; 2016-2017)

Prenatal exposure to metals and risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder in MARBLES and EARLI

To carry out a prospective, longitudinal study examining the contribution of prenatal exposure to lead, cadmium, mercury, selenium, and manganese on risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), while accounting for potential genetic modification of metal exposure-ASD associations.

Principal Investigator: M. Daniele Fallin, Johns Hopkins University (R01ES025531; 2016-2021)

Folic acid prevention pathways for ASD in high risk families

To examine the association between folate and other methyl donors and reduced risk for autism, identify critical windows and dose thresholds in high-risk siblings of children with ASD, as well as the modification by genetic and epigenetic factors.

Principal Investigator: Rebecca Schmidt, UC Davis MIND Institute (R01ES025574; 2015-2021)

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