Research Centers and Labs

The Allergy, Climate, and Exposomics (ACE) Lab studies how environmental exposures impact our immune system and our overall health. We research these topics through the lens of climate change, the number one threat to global public health. The lab is led by Dr. Kari Nadeau, Chair of the Department of Environmental Health.

Research in our group uses statistical analysis and machine learning approaches to understand asthma at both mechanistic and population health levels. Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs that affects an estimated 1 in 20 people worldwide, and in the USA it is also amongst the diseases with the largest disparities driven by race and socioeconomic class. Our research therefore pursues two directions: applying mucosal immunology to understand its molecular mechanisms to work towards improved diagnosis and treatment, and understanding its environmental causes to prevent disease-causing exposures which perpetuate disparities. 

Dr. Kales’ primary research focuses on the health of firefighters and other public safety professionals: US firefighters are a working population at risk of chronic diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The Kales Lab and Firefighter Studies have provided seminal contributions in the clinical epidemiology of cardiovascular events in firefighters and has become most influential in determining the causal relationship of heart disease among firefighters to their job activities, as well as investigating interventions to mitigate these risks. The lab is led by Dr. Stefanos N. Kales, Professor in the Department of Environmental Health.

The environment has an enormous impact on human health, and exposures to environmental toxicants can lead to the development of a myriad of diseases. The overall goal of research at the Lu Lab is to understand the complex gene-environment interactions that are critically involved in diseases relevant to public health. The lab is led by Quan Lun, Cecil K. and Philip Drinker Professor of Environmental Physiology in the Department of Environmental Health.

The Mahalingaiah Lab strives to better understand diseases that affect women throughout the lifespan, advancing reproductive health knowledge with thorough research. The lab is led by Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah, assistant professor of environmental, reproductive, and women’s health in the Department of Environmental Health.

The Park Lab investigates the role of airway epithelial cells in homeostasis and disease. As the primary barrier against external stimuli—ranging from environmental pollutants and allergens to bacteria and viruses—the airway epithelium serves as the first line of defense for respiratory health. The lab is led by Dr. Jin-Ah Park, Associate Professor of Airway Biology in the Department of Environmental Health.

The Sarosiek Laboratory pursues research focusing on a fundamental question that has broad implications for health and disease: What determines whether a cell will live or die in response to damage or stress? Broadly, the Lab seeks to understand how the regulation of apoptosis (programmed cell death) in healthy as well as diseased cells affects their sensitivity to damage or stress. The lab is led by Dr. Kristopher Sarosiek, Assistant Professor of Radiation Biology in the Department of Environmental Health.

The Spatial and Contextual Exposomics and Epidemiology Laboratory (SpaCE2 Lab), based at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, and Harvard Medical School, broadly focuses on the impact of location-based exposures on health. The lab is led by Dr. Francine Laden, Dr. Jaime E Hart, and Dr. Peter James.

Most chronic diseases are the result of both environmental exposures and genetic factors. The majority of cancers and other chronic diseases, such as chronic obstructive lung disease, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases, are a few examples. The Christiani Lab studies the interplay between environmental exposures, genetics and disease in human populations. This area of endeavor is molecular epidemiology.

The Hauser Lab’s research focuses on reproductive, perinatal, and pediatric epidemiology. Dr. Hauser led the NIH-funded Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) Study in collaboration with physicians and staff from Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. He is also conducting an NIH-funded study on the effect of maternal and paternal preconception exposures to environmental chemicals on children’s health. The goal of our research is to increase understanding of the health effects of chemical exposures so healthcare and public health professionals can use this information to educate the public, guide government policies, and improve patient care.