Contact Rose Branstrom with any items that should be included in next month's M-LEEaD newsletter.
The Center Scientist position, offered through M-LEEaD's Career Development Program led by Gil Omenn and Justin Colacino, provides special mentorship experiences to two early stage investigators, and selected candidates engage in research that addresses the goals of the M-LEEaD Center to define, explain, or mitigate impacts of environmental exposures during vulnerable stages of life. We are pleased to announce the 2023-24 Center Scientists!
Xin Wang, PhD, MPH, is a Research Investigator in the Department of Epidemiology. He received his PhD and MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Michigan. With a strong foundation in environmental epidemiology, Dr. Wang is dedicated to exploring the impact of environmental exposures, such as metals and air pollution, on metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. His research objectives encompass three primary areas: (1) identifying environmental exposures as modifiable risk factors for aging-related diseases; (2) elucidating the mechanisms of these diseases connected to environmental exposures using biomarkers and metabolomic profiles; and (3) pinpointing susceptible populations at increased risk due to environmental exposures for more targeted disease prevention and intervention strategies. During his term as a M-LEEaD Center Scientist, with the mentorship of Dr. Kelly Bakulski, he will continue to investigate the effects of metals exposure on dementia risks and develop expertise in neurogenetics and gene-environment interaction.
Yue Zhao, PhD, MS, is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, and received her PhD from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Central Florida and a MS degree in Statistics from the University of Iowa. Dr. Zhao’s research is focused on developing and applying statistical methods of high-dimensional data integration to address impactful biomedical problems, and has experience in diverse areas like genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, CRISPR-based genetic screening, and third generation sequencing. As an M-LEEaD Center Scientist under the mentorship of Drs. Maureen Sartor, Eva Feldman, and Stephen Goutman, she will be investigating the impact of environmental pollutants on the epigenome and transcriptome of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, and exploring the mechanistic connections between environmental exposures, DNA methylome, RNA transcriptome, ALS risk, and clinical outcomes.
The Office of the Vice President for Research has selected 15 faculty members from across the University of Michigan for a fellowship program that enhances and integrates public engagement in their research and scholarship for broad societal impact. Congrats to Justin Colacino, associate professor of environmental health sciences and nutritional sciences, School of Public Health, on his selection! Read more here.
This new measure in California would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of any food product containing the chemicals red dye No. 3 and other food additives. According to Justin Colacino, associate professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, these specific additives are used in processed foods in specific ways. Red dye No. 3, a food dye, is added to products to make them bright red. It's currently banned for use in cosmetics, but it's still used in candy, medicine and beverages. Read more here.
Black mothers and babies fare worse than white counterparts in the city and state–and it’s worsened since the pandemic. Monica Lewis-Patrick, president and CEO of the water advocacy group We the People of Detroit, points to evidence showing that water insecurity contributes to maternal and infant mortality. Advocates also want to see actions taken to protect Black mothers from air pollution. “We have the knowledge and at least some of the tools we need to protect Black mothers from toxic air,” says Donele Wilkins, CEO of Green Door Initiative. “We need elected officials and regulators to recognize Black families’ right to breathe clean air.” Read more on Planet Detroit.
Replacing all of the oldest school buses in the nation could lead to 1.3 million fewer daily absences annually, according to a University of Michigan study. New buses that do not emit high levels of diesel exhaust fumes could reduce the chances of students suffering from respiratory illnesses and other conditions that lead to missed school days. The research was conducted with Sara Adar, senior author of the study and associate professor and associate chair of epidemiology at the School of Public Health. Read more on Michigan News and World Economic Forum.
The University of Michigan is looking to launch a population-based study on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in India. The long-range goal of this collaboration is to inform new treatments for Alzheimer’s, related dementias and neuropathy. “While AD has been extensively studied in the United States and European populations, much less is known about AD in India,” said Eva Feldman, a neurology professor at the U-M Medical School and director of the ALS Center of Excellence and the NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies. Read on Michigan News and News Medical.
Lu Wang, professor of Biostatistics at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, was appointed a 2023 Fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA). Nominees who demonstrate significant contributions to statistical science are awarded the fellow designation, which is limited to one-third of one percent of membership each year. In particular, Wang’s contributions to methodological areas such as causal inference, dynamic treatment decision-making and missing data were highlighted. Read more here.
Learning from past environmental disasters can help inform the response to future ones. This is the premise of research conducted by a team from Emory University, the University of Michigan, Central Michigan University, and community partners. A December 2022 paper describes the team’s efforts to collect and analyze oral histories from people who experienced the aftermath of polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) contamination in Michigan in 1973. Read more in the Partnerships for Environmental Public Health Newsletter.
This conference will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Michigan's PBB disaster by bringing together scientists, artists, policy makers, and community members to explore the history and legacy of this large-scale contamination. Through this multidisciplinary experience we will bring the critical lessons of the disaster back into public discussion and consciousness, with the hope it will inspire continued action to address long-term environmental and human health outcomes.
Date: Thursday, May 18 to Saturday, May 20, 2023
Location: Alma College in Alma, Michigan Info and registration here
The 27th Annual RSP/OBGYN Research Forum is now accepting abstracts. Founded in 1986 as the Anita Payne Research Day, this event highlights ongoing scientific and educational activities within the laboratories of the Reproductive Sciences Program and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Join us on June 9 for a day celebrating innovative reproductive science research. Abstracts are due May 19, 2023.
Date: Friday, June 9, 2023
Location: Towsley Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan Info and registration here
For more than 58 years, the Summer Session in Epidemiology at the University of Michigan has been one of the nation's most highly regarded summer epidemiology programs. The program can give you a career boost in just one to three intensive weeks. After completing this activity, participants will be able to understand and utilize the central principles of research in clinical populations, including study design, analysis of Biostatistics, and causal inference. The 2023 session will run from July 10-28.
Date: Monday, July 10, 2023, to Friday, July 28, 2023
Location: In-person at the University of Michigan School of Public Health or online
Info and registration here
Columbia’s SHARP Training Program offers short, intensive boot camps led by field experts to teach in-demand skills on the hottest topics in research and education. Scholarships are available and individuals of all career stages, from any organization are welcome to attend. In 2023, SHARP trainings will be offered in-person, livestream virtual, or hybrid (in-person and livestream virtual). See the list of available topics above.
Date: Varies from May-August 2023 depending on program
Location: In-person at Columbia University Irving Medical Center or online Info and registration here
The NIEHS is pleased to announce our participation in PAR-23-122, Research with Activities Related to Diversity (ReWARD) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional). The ReWARD Program's overarching goal is to enhance the breadth and geographical location of research and research-related activities supported by NIH. The ReWARD program provides support for the health-related research of scientists who are making a significant contribution to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and who have no current NIH research project grant funding. The grant will support scientific research in areas related to the programmatic interests of one or more of the participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) and ongoing DEIA activities focused on enhancing diversity in the biomedical research enterprise within the United States and territories.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), in partnership with the NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP), the All of Us Research Program, and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), seeks applications that will identify, develop and/or adapt, as well as test strategies for responsibly reporting back environmental health, non-genomic research, and gene-environment interaction (GxE) results to research participants and/or key partners (for example, health care professionals, IRBs, and policy makers). Applications are due June 15, 2023. Learn more here.
SPH Opportunity: Apply for a Public Health IDEAS Pilot Grant, $7,500 Awards
The Public Health IDEAS for Creating Healthy and Equitable Cities team at the School of Public Health is excited to introduce a second pilot grant opportunity to support SPH faculty, researchers, and postdoctoral scholars. Funding of up to $7,500 for each project will be provided to perform pilot studies to advance urban health research.
To learn more, contact IDEAS-UrbanHealth@umich.edu. Proposals will be evaluated for funding on a rolling basis.
M-LEEaD’s Community Engagement core is excited to announce our “Partnership Development Program.” The Partnership Development Program (PDP) is a program of the Community Engagement Core of the M-LEEaD Center. The PDP provides support for new partnerships between community members and researchers. We can also support existing partnerships taking on new or expanded collaborative research efforts. Applications must be submitted on behalf of at least two partners: an academic partner and either a community group, community-based organization or government agency in Detroit, Southeast Michigan or other Michigan communities experiencing environmental health issues. There may be additional partners on the team. The lead academic researcher must be based at University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor, Dearborn, or Flint campus. We will prioritize work in Southeast Michigan communities. If you are in other parts of Michigan or nearby that are impacted by emerging environmental issues you are also welcome to apply.
Funding up to $5,000 per application is available.
Recent Publications citing M-LEEaD:
Ding N, Zheutlin E, Harlow SD, Randolph JF Jr, Mukherjee B, Park SK. Associations Between Repeated Measures of Urinary Phthalate Metabolites With Hormones and Timing of Natural Menopause. J Endocr Soc. 2023 Feb 3;7(4):bvad024. doi: 10.1210/jendso/bvad024. PMID: 36846211; PMCID: PMC9945847.
Louis LM, Buckley JP, Kuiper JR, Meeker JD, Hansel NN, McCormack MC, Diette G, Quirós-Alcalá L. Exposures to Organophosphate Esters and Respiratory Morbidity among School-Aged Children with Asthma. Environ Sci Technol. 2023 Apr 25;57(16):6435-6443. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05911. Epub 2023 Apr 11. PMID: 37040548.
Bommarito PA, Stevens DR, Welch BM, Weller D, Meeker JD, Cantonwine DE, McElrath TF, Ferguson KK. Temporal trends and predictors of phthalate, phthalate replacement, and phenol biomarkers in the LIFECODES Fetal Growth Study. Environ Int. 2023 Apr;174:107898. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107898. Epub 2023 Mar 24. PMID: 37001215; PMCID: PMC10133207.
Jansen EC, Burgess HJ, Chervin RD, Dolinoy DC, Téllez-Rojo MM, Cantoral A, Olascoaga-Torres L, Lee J, Dunietz GL, O'Brien LM, Peterson KE. Sleep duration and timing are prospectively linked with insulin resistance during late adolescence. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2023 Apr;31(4):912-922. doi: 10.1002/oby.23680. Epub 2023 Feb 27. PMID: 36847394; PMCID: PMC10033442.
Harris SM, Su AL, Dou JF, Loch-Caruso R, Elkin ER, Jaber S, Bakulski KM. Placental Cell Conditioned Media Modifies Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transcriptome In Vitro. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2023 Mar 27:2023.03.27.534393. doi: 10.1101/2023.03.27.534393. PMID: 37034658; PMCID: PMC10081206.
Click here for a PDF with useful information about NIH Public Access Policy regarding citing the center grant.
Per NIH grants policy, all publications, press releases, and other documents relevant to research funded by the center must include a specific acknowledgement of support. For the EHS Core Center, this statement may read:
“Support for this research was provided by grant P30ES017885 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.”
