The goal of this project is to investigate links between prenatal metal exposures, the gut microbiome and metabolome, and neurodevelopment in a cohort of children from Mexico City.

Funded by: NIEHS Pathway to Independence Award (R00ES032884 PI Eggers)

This study aims to investigate how prenatal metal exposures and the childhood gut microbiome—individually and in combination—contribute to telomere length attrition from birth through late childhood, using mixture methods and machine learning to identify biologically relevant metal-microbial cliques that may accelerate biological aging.

Funded by: NIEHS Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (R21ES037112 MPI Eggers & Midya)

This pilot study examines whether exposure to PM₂.₅ and black carbon is associated with tumor-associated microbiome features in colorectal cancer, with a focus on differences between early-onset and late-onset disease. By integrating high-resolution environmental exposure assessment with tumor microbiome profiling, the study addresses a key gap in understanding environmentally mediated phenotypic and etiologic heterogeneity in colorectal cancer. 

Funded by: University of Iowa College of Public Health Environmental Health Science Research Center Pilot Grant Program (PI Eggers) (P30ES005605 PI Lehmler)

We are partnering with a laboratory at the University of Minnesota to develop and validate a protocol for quantifying metal content in archived colorectal tumor tissue from the University of Iowa Pathology Archives and the Iowa Cancer Registry’s Residual Tissue Repository. The goal of this project is to assess whether colorectal tumor metal burden is associated with differences in pathobiont abundance, tumor micro-environment features, and survival, and whether these relationships differ between early and late onset diagnosis. 

Funded by: University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center (HCCC) Pilot Grant Program (PI Eggers) 

In this study, adult participants provide a stool sample and complete a virtual reality (VR) road crossing experiment to help us explore the relationships between the gut microbiome and decision making (GMDM) in older adults.

Funded by: University of Iowa College of Public Health Injury Prevention Research Center Pilot Grant Program (MPI Eggers & O'Neal) 

The goal of this project is to investigate links between prenatal metal exposures, the oral microbiome, and depression symptoms in children from the PROGRESS cohort in Mexico City.

Funded by: University of Iowa College of Public Health Environmental Health Science Research Center Pilot Grant Program (PI Eggers) (P30ES005605 PI Lehmler)

In this experimental study we expose Akkermansia muciniphila to zinc (Zn) and cobalt (Co), and measure changes in growth and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. This provides evidence to support biological plausibility of epidemiological findings.

Funded by: University of Iowa College of Public Health New Faculty Research Award (PI Eggers) 

Using cross-sectional data from healthy adults, we examine links between Pb exposure, nutrition, food security, and cognition.

Funded by: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Center on Health and Environment Across the LifeSpan Pilot Grant Program (MPI Eggers & Midya) (P30ES023515 PI Wright)

In this experimental study we expose probiotic gut bacteria to lead (Pb), and examine changes in growth and metabolism. This provides evidence to support biological plausibility of epidemiological findings.

Funded by: University of Iowa College of Public Health Environmental Health Science Research Center Career Enhancement Award (PI Eggers) (P30ES005605 PI Lehmler)