Allergy, Climate, and Exposomics Lab
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.
651 Huntington Avenue
FXB Building, Room 101
Boston, MA 02115
Research
What We Do
Our research focuses on how environmental exposures impact the immune system, especially in the context of climate change. We work with vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, firefighters, and people living in disadvantaged communities to better understand how their health is impacted by their environment and to develop a body of knowledge that can guide policy that improves health.
Active Grants
Air Pollution Disrupts Inflammasome Regulation in HEart and Lung Total Health (AirHealth)
Exposure to air pollution from forest fires and automobile exhaust is a rapidly growing global public health burden that contributes to cardiopulmonary pathogenesis. Biomarkers in the blood, such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), are key to the inflammatory response and are associated with acute and chronic inflammation upon exposure to pollutants.
Immune Tolerance Dysfunction in Pregnancy due to Ambient Air Pollution Exposure
Exposure of pregnant women to environmental pollution and toxicants significantly increase risks to mother’s health after birth. Our study will use innovative technologies to identify the drivers of immune dysfunction and potential modifiable factors.
SEAL (Stopping Atopic dermatitis and ALlergy) Study: Prevent allergy by enhancing the skin barrier
Food allergy is an epidemic among children in the U.S., U.K., and other countries. By reducing dry skin, the duration and severity of eczema and preventing eczema exacerbations with skin barrier protection and anti-inflammatory creams, we aim to significantly reduce the incidence of food allergy.