Projects

Cohort III, 2022 – 2026

Katherine Alfredo

Using a Risk Cup approach to evaluate vulnerabilities associated with community water systems in the US

This study aims to better understand the safety of drinking water in the United States by developing a “Risk Cup” analysis to evaluate the cumulative health risks associated with drinking water from over 2,300 Community Water Systems (CWSs) that have reported violations. Despite efforts like the Infrastructure Bill to improve water quality, there’s still no comprehensive measure for comparing the combined health risks from multiple contaminants, socioeconomic and environmental factors, and residential plumbing. This is crucial as the number of regulated contaminants increases and new ones are identified. Our study will assess the overall water health for each CWS, aligning it with household perceptions of drinking water risk, especially within ethnic minority groups who have shown reluctance towards tap water consumption. Focusing on Florida, we will quantify the health risk per glass of water, examine the link between health risk and social vulnerability, and investigate the perceived risks in both high-risk and low-risk communities to initiate a more informed dialogue about health risks for vulnerable populations.

Michael Anastario

Exposure to heavy metals among Indigenous people who inject methamphetamine

This project investigates the heightened health risks of injection methamphetamine use, which can lead to infectious diseases, organ damage, psychosis, overdose, and early death, potentially exacerbated by concurrent exposure to environmental toxicants such as lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg). Limited research exists on the sources of heavy metals exposure and their biological accumulation among users, despite knowledge of these metals in meth production. The issue is notably pressing among American Indian communities, where meth use is prevalent and associated with the highest rates of stimulant-related overdose deaths and hepatitis C infections. Preliminary studies with Indigenous people who inject methamphetamine (IPWIM) in Montana reveal a common practice of direct syringe loading without filtration, possibly increasing heavy metal exposure and accumulation. Addressing methodological sensitivities around specimen collection in tribal communities, this research employs non-invasive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for on-site heavy metal assessment. Adhering to harm reduction principles, the study aims to assess the presence of heavy metals in injection substances, the impact of filtration on metal concentration, and the link between unfiltered injection and metal accumulation in the body. Using a community-engaged approach, the research will gather biochemical, qualitative, and quantitative data from 100 Fort Peck Tribal members (Assiniboine and Sioux), expanding on previous academic-tribal collaborations.

Max Aung

PFAS exposures, social factors, and bioactive lipid pathways to estimate antecedent risk profiles of depressive symptoms

This study examines the economic and health impacts of perinatal and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, which affect 1 in 7 women in the US and incur over $14 billion in annual costs due to productivity loss, healthcare expenses, and associated maternal and infant health issues. Marginalized communities face higher depression rates, compounded by social adversities like poverty and lack of access to education and nutrition. Our research also explores the relationship between prenatal exposure to neurotoxic poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the risk of depression, as our team has uniquely identified. We focus on the role of bioactive lipids, which are influenced by PFAS and are critical in nervous system function, potentially contributing to depression. Our objective is to integrate data on PFAS exposure, socio-environmental factors, and bioactive lipid pathways to better understand the biological underpinnings and risk factors leading to depressive symptoms in this context.

Stephanie Eick

Cross-sectional study assessing sociopolitical stress

This project investigates the impact of recent US legislative changes on women’s reproductive autonomy and associated stress levels. Following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, several states, particularly in the South and Midwest, have enacted stringent abortion restrictions. These laws not only limit abortion access but also potentially restrict general reproductive healthcare, which can lead to heightened psychosocial stress among women. Studies have linked such stress to negative emotions, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, with political climate identified as a major stressor and specific events like the 2016 presidential election correlating with increased anxiety and adverse birth outcomes in certain populations. The project will enroll a diverse group of pregnant and reproductive-age women from Atlanta to participate in a study measuring sociopolitical stress and its effects on mental health and birth outcomes, aiming to isolate specific stress factors and identify potential buffers.

Jose Cedeno Laurent

A mechanistic basis for the short-term exposure effects of UFP on cognitive function

This study examines how short-term exposure to ultrafine particulate matter (UFP) affects cognitive function, specifically in domains such as attention and memory. Unlike previous human studies that have focused on PM2.5 exposure in typical work environments, this research targets individuals in high-risk occupations and investigates the potential for UFP to cause systemic inflammation and neuropathological changes. Recent findings suggest even brief exposure to UFP can impair memory and learning, with these particles remaining longer in the brain than previously thought, indicating possible extended neurotoxicity. The project proposes an intervention trial to assess whether a two-week reduction in UFP exposure can decrease inflammation markers and improve cognitive function. The goal is to understand the mechanisms by which UFP affects the brain, ultimately informing strategies to protect human health and enhance safety and productivity in occupational settings.

MyDzung Chu

Social and Environmental Drivers of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Among Asian Immigrant Women

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy complication affecting 7.8% of pregnancies in the US, with notably higher rates in Asian (14.9%) and foreign-born women. While traditional etiological studies of GDM have focused on individual factors such as genetics and lifestyle, less than half of the risk is explained by these elements. Emerging research is exploring the role of social and environmental factors, ranging from acculturation and discrimination to pollution and neighborhood characteristics. However, there’s a lack of focus on how these factors specifically affect Asian and immigrant women, who face unique challenges like heightened environmental toxicant exposure and structural racism, exacerbated by the recent increase in xenophobia and anti-Asian sentiment. This study aims to address these gaps by examining the social and environmental influences on GDM risk, with a particular emphasis on racial/ethnic and nativity disparities

Betty Lin

Legacy effects of historical redlining on Black maternal life course heavy metal exposure and maternal-infant health

This project aims to investigate the persistent racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes among Black individuals in the United States. Despite maternal sociodemographic factors, Black individuals still face higher rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal mortality compared to their non-Black counterparts. The study seeks to understand the underlying determinants of these disparities, including the impact of multi-level stressors and promotive factors across the life course on physiological stress dysregulation and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA). The research team plans to follow 350 Black mothers and their infants from pregnancy through the first postpartum year to explore the intergenerational consequences of stress exposure on maternal and infant health.

Na’Taki Osborne Jelks

Water insecurity framework

This project seeks to address the escalating global issue of water insecurity, particularly its impact on Black communities in the United States. With the World Health Organization projecting that half of the world’s population will reside in water-distressed areas by 2025, and millions lacking access to clean drinking water, including many in the U.S. facing inadequate water systems and aging infrastructure, the need for action is urgent. Despite varied definitions of water insecurity, current frameworks fail to fully grasp its root causes and related health disparities, hindering effective policy and practice. This study aims to develop a comprehensive water insecurity framework through a mixed-methods approach, focusing on how water insecurity compounds existing health disparities in Black communities. By initially examining Atlanta, Georgia, and expanding to broader regions across the United States, the project seeks to inform future interventions and policy changes to promote environmental justice and secure equitable access to clean water for all.

Courtney Roper

Building Community Air Quality Research Capacity in the Mississippi Delta

Courtney Roper’s project focuses on addressing the socioeconomic challenges faced by rural communities in the Mississippi Delta, an area known for its disadvantaged status. These communities, characterized by low socioeconomic status, face heightened exposure to air pollutants, contributing to a triple jeopardy framework of environmental hazards, poor health susceptibility, and exacerbated health disparities. Despite elevated rates of diseases and disorders linked to air pollution in the Delta region, there is a notable lack of air quality data, hindering efforts to understand the association between pollutants and adverse health impacts. Specifically, the project aims to investigate the composition and health relevance of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and pollen, crucial factors in oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species generation. By collecting and analyzing ambient PM2.5 and pollen samples across the Mississippi Delta, the study seeks to establish comprehensive air quality information to better understand the health effects of environmental exposures in the region.

Anais Roque

Food, Energy, and Water Insecurity in the Context of Compounding Disasters

This project focuses on examining the interconnected challenges of food, energy, and water (FEW) insecurity within the context of compounding disasters, as emphasized in the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change AR6 Report. The convergence of climate-related and non-climatic hazards, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and pandemics, along with existing vulnerabilities, can lead to cascading impacts across FEW systems, profoundly affecting household health and wellbeing. In non-declared disaster contexts, household (in)security in these areas is linked to adverse health outcomes, including malnutrition, emotional distress, respiratory illnesses, and compromised decision-making due to resource scarcity. With climate change and disasters exacerbating these threats, particularly in regions like Puerto Rico, which faces significant challenges in water and energy infrastructure, food import dependence, poverty, and public debt crises, the study aims to explore household experiences with FEW insecurities and their perceived health effects. By understanding the nuances of FEW insecurity within disaster contexts, the research seeks to inform emergency management and public health response policies to mitigate associated health risks and enhance community resilience.

Leah Schinasi

Extreme heat, associated adverse health outcomes, and barriers to heat-health protective behaviors in restaurant and service workers and managers in Philadelphia, PA

Climate change and urbanization are causing hazardous heat levels, posing a significant public health threat, especially to the cardiovascular system. Despite the known dangers of heat exposure, there has been limited research on its effects on workers, particularly indoor workers like those in the food service industry. Most studies on this subject have been conducted outside the U.S., leaving a gap in knowledge about the heat-related risks faced by American food service workers, who are often from minority or undocumented groups and may work in temperatures over 100°F. This demographic represents about 5% of the U.S. workforce. While behaviors like taking breaks and staying hydrated can mitigate heat-related health issues, there’s a lack of data on how food service workers and their managers perceive heat dangers and the need for such protective measures.

This project aims to fill this research void by exploring the experiences, perceptions, and behaviors related to heat stress and strain among food service workers and managers in Philadelphia, PA. The ultimate goal is to prevent heat-related health issues in vulnerable workers by providing empirical data that can guide the development of interventions and protective standards, including a potential federal heat protection standard from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Aaron Specht

Testing efficiency and accessibility using a novel bone lead test

Lead exposure continues to harm children’s neurodevelopment, even at low levels. Recent attention on lead-contaminated service lines has spurred action among environmental activists. In Indianapolis, reports show high lead levels in school water, particularly in underserved areas, but current resident testing is limited to blood samples, which don’t reflect past exposures if the source has been removed. Furthermore, other lead sources remain untested in the community. This crisis could result in misdiagnosed health issues, overlooked lead sources, and widespread community harm. Our proposal aims to improve testing in Indianapolis by introducing efficient, accessible bone lead tests, utilizing a new hair collection method for broader testing, and investigating various lead sources including paint, soil, and water, to comprehensively address the issue.

Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne

The role of environmental reparations in mitigating environmental racism

This study addresses the prevalence of environmental injustice, or environmental racism, in communities racialized as Black, Indigenous, Asian, and Latino. These communities often face the brunt of air pollution, hazardous waste, lack of clean water, and limited green spaces. Despite civil cases and settlements, largely from Clean Air and Clean Water Acts violations, resulting in over $1 billion since 1998, the effectiveness of these reparations on local communities has not been adequately assessed. Remediation efforts are typically underfunded or poorly managed. This research aims to fill a gap by evaluating the impact of environmental reparations on these communities, using data from the U.S. EPA and the American Community Survey. It will also examine the distribution of state-sponsored financial settlements to understand their role in addressing health inequities and the persistent effects of environmental racism.

Ruzmyn Vilcassim

Potential adverse impacts of vaping on perinatal health in women who use e-cigarettes during pregnancy

This study investigates the rapidly growing trend of electronic cigarette use (“vaping”), particularly among adolescents, with 3.2% to 4.8% of U.S. adults using these devices. With an estimated 13 million users in the U.S., concern is rising over the number of pregnant women vaping, mistakenly believing it to be a safe alternative to traditional smoking. ENDS flavorings are appealing to pregnant women due to changes in taste and nausea, potentially increasing use during pregnancy, with reported rates between 3.6% and 7%. However, these self-reported rates may be unreliable due to potential underreporting from the stigma of smoking or vaping and inadequate hospital intake screenings. This study aims to assess the adverse effects of vaping on perinatal health by comparing biomarkers in pregnant women who vape against those who do not.