Toxicology | Research Interests

Name	Email	PhD Program
Yates, Melinda EMAIL PUBLICATIONS	PHD PROGRAM Pathobiology & Translational Science RESEARCH INTEREST Cancer Biology, Cancer Genomics, Cancer Preclinical Models, Cancer Signaling & Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Translational Medicine	Our translational research lab is focused on the earliest changes that occur in the uterus (endometrium) during cancer development related to obesity and hereditary DNA repair defects. We use preclinical tools (rodents, organoids, and cell lines) to probe mechanisms of endometrial cancer pathogenesis, in parallel with human tissue studies. Our overall goal is to understand how environmental factors, including obesity, hormones, and other exposures, influence endometrial cancer development and disparities so that we can use pharmacologic agents to prevent or reverse cancer development.
Smeekens, Johanna WEBSITE EMAIL PUBLICATIONS	PHD PROGRAM Toxicology RESEARCH INTEREST Immunology, Toxicology, Translational Medicine	Our research focuses on investigating factors that contribute to the development of food allergy, with an emphasis on how we can manipulate these factors towards preventative and therapeutic strategies. Specifically, we aim to understand the role of environmental exposures, particularly early in life, in non-oral sensitization to foods that lead to allergy. We are also especially interested in testing novel therapeutics for food allergy that can induce tolerance, after allergy is already established. We utilize a combination of human samples and mouse models to address these goals.
Sapienza-Lundie, Lauren EMAIL	PHD PROGRAM RESEARCH INTEREST Pathology, Toxicology, Translational Medicine	“I’m interested in toxicology research as it relates to the type of particulates or pollutants in the environment and how these health-threatening chemicals affect and alter the biology of humans through their environments. I would be open to studying pathology of disease from these chemicals and ways to mitigate, prevent, or even treat these chemicals from causing disease in at-risk communities on the fence line of industries that impact the environment and subsequent public health.”
Pyo, Brian EMAIL	PHD PROGRAM RESEARCH INTEREST Pharmacology, Systems Biology, Toxicology	“I am interested in how xenobiotics (drugs, nutrients, environmental contaminants, etc.) positively or negatively affect human health. I’m also interested in developing and utilizing systems biology multi-omics approach to answer these scientific questions.”
Soerianto, Winny EMAIL	PHD PROGRAM RESEARCH INTEREST Pathology, Toxicology	“I am interested in looking at molecular mechanisms that are effected by environmental stress, such as heat stress. I am also interested in taking a more population health and epidemiology approach to see how environmental stressors related to climate change effect human health.”
Humphrey, Jess EMAIL	PHD PROGRAM RESEARCH INTEREST Immunology, Toxicology, Translational Medicine	“At UNC, I am interested in researching factors and exposures that may contribute to the development of allergy and disease. I would like to study and evaluate potential biomarkers from oral immunotherapy studies to further understand why individuals become sensitized to antigens and explore potential therapeutics for desensitization.”
Chou, Chloe EMAIL	PHD PROGRAM RESEARCH INTEREST Genetics, Toxicology	“My research interests lie in answering how environmental exposures may interact with different risk factors such as sex, age, and genetics in the pathogenesis of diseases. I am also interested in exploring the epigenetic and epigenomic changes that occur after environmental exposures. I am partial to inhalational toxicology but am also excited to explore other areas of toxicology.”
Clapp, Phil WEBSITE EMAIL PUBLICATIONS	PHD PROGRAM Toxicology RESEARCH INTEREST Cell Biology, Immunology, Physiology, Toxicology, Translational Medicine	My lab in the UNC CEMALB uses translational in vitro and clinical in vivo approaches to investigate how inhaled xenobiotics modify respiratory innate immune responses in people with and without existing lung disease. A central component of my research is the integration of biomedical engineering, additive manufacturing, and advanced cell culture methods to evaluate the health effects of new and emerging tobacco products such as e-cigarettes. I believe the best research is achieved through collaboration across disciplines and welcome interested trainees to contact me to learn more about my lab.
Ferguson, Kelly WEBSITE EMAIL PUBLICATIONS	PHD PROGRAM Toxicology RESEARCH INTEREST Toxicology, Translational Medicine	The Perinatal and Early Life Epidemiology Group conducts research on how maternal exposure to chemicals impacts pregnancy and the development of the fetus and child. We also investigate biological mechanisms of action — such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption — that connect chemical exposures to adverse birth outcomes. Dr. Ferguson accepts BBSP students for rotations, but would need to co-mentor a student with another faculty member if a student wants to join her lab.
Moran, Timothy WEBSITE EMAIL PUBLICATIONS	PHD PROGRAM Microbiology & Immunology, Toxicology RESEARCH INTEREST Immunology, Toxicology, Translational Medicine	Our research focuses on how environmental exposures impact the development of allergic diseases including asthma and food allergy. We are specifically interested in how exposure to environmental pollutants and immunostimulatory molecules (adjuvants) influence allergic sensitization. The goals of our laboratory are to: (1) define the key environmental adjuvants within the indoor exposome that promote allergic sensitization; (2) characterize the molecular mechanisms by which environmental adjuvants and pollutants condition lung antigen presenting cells to induce allergic immune responses; and (3) identify biomarkers of environmental adjuvant exposure that are associated with increased risk for allergic sensitization in children. Through these research endeavors, we hope to identify potential therapeutic targets for environment-mediated allergic diseases, as well as environmental interventions to mitigate the risk for allergic disease development.

Research Interest: Toxicology