MECEH Faculty

Grace LeMasters, PhD, Prof. Epidemiology (DEH);
Role: Preceptor, Director of the MECEH, Co-Chair Admissions Committees
Dr. LeMasters, PhD has for more than 2 decades conducted epidemiological studies.on environmental health issues. She is currently investigating the complex interaction of exposures to diesel exhaust particles and aeroallergens, genetic susceptibility and development of atopy and allergic disease in infants and young children. She has several studies on men and women exposed to solvents and fuels and adverse reproductive effects. Her other areas of research include an on-going 17-year pulmonary longitudinal study of fiber exposure. Dr. LeMasters’ laboratory has recently reported on the effects of caffeine ingestion during early pregnancy and the association with a decrease in progesterone levels.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: Opportunities include recruitment of subjects using mail, telephone or home visits, learning techniques for cohort compliance and long term participation, questionnaire development and survey administration, analyses of complex data sets, home and ambient exposure sampling and work at clinic sites. State-of-the-art technology for web based multi-site data collection is a part of training. During the lab rotation, trainees attend weekly investigator meetings observing the process of multi-disciplinary research and team leadership.

Zalfa Abdel-Malek, PhD, Associate Professor (Dermatology);
Role: Preceptor
Dr. Abdel-Malek joined the MECEH faculty in 2004. She is an outstanding laboratory based scientist investigating the regulation of human pigmentation and the role of melanin in photoprotection against UV-induced skin carcinogenesis for the past eighteen years. Current projects in her laboratory are focused on the genetic susceptibility to melanoma, the most devastating and fatal form of skin cancer. High exposures to UV occur during childhood but expresses itself during adulthood. Her laboratory is famous for the expertise in culturing human melanocytes and using these cultures as a model to investigate the responses of melanocytes with different melanin contents and genotypes to UV exposure. Dr. Abdel-Malek’s laboratory has pioneered the research on the role of melanocortins and the melanocortin 1 receptor in the regulation of pigmentation and determination of the risk for melanoma. Her laboratory has been the sight for training of international visiting scientists and Postdoctoral fellows.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: Learning opportunities in Dr. Abdel-Malek’s laboratory include tissue culture techniques, isolation of protein, RNA and DNA from cells; Western, Northern, and Southwestern blot analysis, enzyme assays, and statistical analysis of data. The students receive tremendous guidance from Dr. Abdel-Malek and her staff members on daily basis. Laboratory meetings are held weekly to monitor the progress through data presentation and discussion, and planning of subsequent experiments. Students are provided with appropriate references pertaining to their research projects, and are required to give informal presentations during laboratory meetings. Whenever possible, students are given the chance to attend and present at national scientific conferences. The steady progress of research and the willingness of Dr. Abdel-Malek and her staff members to mentor make the rotation a very fulfilling experience for the students.

Marshal Anderson, PhD, Professor, (DEH) and Genome Research Institute;
Role: Preceptor
Dr. Anderson was the former Director of the Department of Environmental Health during the first 4 years of the training grant (2001-2004). He is a cancer- genetic researcher and has recently joined the Genome Research Institute (GRI). The GRI was established as a center dedicated to elucidating disease mechanisms by uniting the research strengths of both the academic and pharmaceutical realms. Research programs at the Institute utilize the application of state-of-the-art modern molecular technologies to understand disease processes. Current major focus areas are obesity/diabetes, vascular biology, metabolic diseases, and cancer.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: Students receive expert mentoring and have access to a wide range of experiences in modern biology available at the Genome Research Institute. Post-doctoral and PhD candidates will have an important and active role in research laboratories where they will apply powerful modern approaches to the study of biological systems and disease. In addition, Post-doctoral fellows and graduate students have the opportunity to pursue training in an exciting drug discovery and development environment. 

Robert Bornschein, PhD, Professor (DEH);
Role: Preceptor
From 2003 to late 2005, Dr. Bornschein was the Acting Director of Department of Environmental Health. For decades, he has been a pioneer in the area of childhood lead poisoning where he studied sources of childhood lead exposure, causes of lead poisoning, its developmental consequences, primary prevention and evaluation of chelation therapy. He has also conducted numerous exposure assessments of communities living adjacent to Superfund sites, with an emphasis on heavy metal exposures, residential soil and dust contamination and biomarkers of exposure. He is currently working with the City of Cincinnati to reduce lead paint sources in inner city neighborhoods. He a member of the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Center, 1 of 4 Centers funded jointly by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Cancer Institute.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: As a part of the Growing Up Female research, students can participate in studies to better understand the development of the mammary gland and how/when it is affected by environmental agents through laboratory studies; learn more about how environmental and genetic factors affect the start of puberty in girls through clinical studies; and involve the community in efforts to educate the public and policy makers about the research findings.

Ranajit Chakaborty, PhD, Professor and Director of the Center for Genome Information, DEH:
Role: Preceptor and teaches 2 required MECEH courses in Statistical Genetics
In 2001, Dr. Chakraborty joined the DEH as the Robert A Kehoe Professor and Director, Center for Genome Information. He offers a wealth of information in the following areas: development of statistical methodology to detect the role of genetic factors in susceptibility to complex diseases; use of mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences to determine origin and migration of populations, and origin and spread of human diseases; stochastic theory of populations differentiation; analysis of DNA typing data for forensic applications; and estimation of radiation risks, susceptibility genes and genetic variation.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: Computational Genomics Research facility at Center for Genome Information (see Resources for details) is located in the DEH. Under Dr. Chakraborty’s direction the students can learn: (a) different methods of mapping genes for monogenic as well as complex disease phenotypes based on family- and population-based study designs; (b) advantages and limitations of different types of study designs for detecting signatures of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions on discrete as well as continuous disease-related phenotypes; (c) methods of distinguishing different forms (e.g., moderating versus mediating) gene-environment interaction effects; and (d) evaluation and testing of genotype-dependent risks of environmental exposure agents. The computer server at CGI dedicated for such purposes houses all major software, including the novel ones developed in house, which can be used by the students for getting hands-on experience on such biomedical computations. In this sense, project-oriented use of this facility provide practical applications of most of the principles that the students learn in the 2-quarter didactic course on Statistical Genetics that Dr. Chakraborty offers in alternate years in the graduate degree program of the DEB.  

Stephen Daniels, MD, PhD, Professor (DP and DEH), Assistant Chair for Clinical Research;
Role: Preceptor and Admissions
Stephen Daniels, MD, PhD is Professor of Pediatrics and Environmental Health. He received his M.D. from the University of Chicago in 1977, a Masters in Public Health from Harvard University in 1979, and a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina in 1989. His clinical training is in Pediatrics and Pediatric Cardiology, both at the CCHMC. Dr. Daniels’ research interests are in the area of cardiovascular epidemiology. His studies have focused on better understanding the causes of blood pressure elevation and cholesterol abnormalities in children, particularly the role that overweight may play in these problems. In addition, his research has evaluated cardiovascular abnormalities occurring in pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus. The role of lifestyle factors, such as diet and physical activity, are important factors in many of Dr. Daniels’ studies.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: Daniels has had a long-time interest in the application of sophisticated epidemiologic and biostatistical methods to pediatric clinical research problems. His projects serve as fertile ground for training. This training may include analysis of data already collected under his supervision or the development of new research as an extension of ongoing work promoting trainees to have supervised experience in development of research hypotheses, design of studies, human subjects’ protection, collection and management of data, assurance of quality control and ultimately analysis of data and reporting results. Dr. Daniels has worked collaboratively with a number of other investigators in the training program. This allows for easy collaboration in working with and supervising trainees. 

Ranjan Deka, PhD, (DEH);
Role: Deputy Director MECEH, Co-Chair Admissions Committee, and Preceptor, teaches the Capstone course on the Genetics of Complex Diseases
Dr. Deka is a molecular population geneticist by training. His primary research interest is in the area of genetics of complex diseases. A major thrust of his laboratory is identification of susceptibility genes predisposed to common and complex diseases. He is currently leading two major NIH funded genome-wide association studies to identify genetic variants associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Additionally, in collaboration with Dr. Joseph Broderick, Professor and Dr. Daniel Woo, Associate Professor of Neurology at the COM, Dr. Deka’s laboratory is undertaking a pioneering research to identify susceptibility genes that are related to the development of intracranial aneurysms leading to hemorrhagic strokes. 

Laboratory Rotation Experience: Dr. Deka has extensive experience in molecular epidemiology and actual execution of research programs in the field. Dr. Deka is the head of the genotyping core at the Center for Genome Information. His laboratory is equipped with facilities for undertaking large genome scan projects using DNA markers distributed throughout the genome based on microarray platforms. His laboratories are involved in training both pre-doctoral and post-doctoral students. Trainees get hand-on experience in the wet labs in molecular techniques and methods used in genomic studies. In addition, they have the opportunity of learning and executing statistical methods in the analysis of generated data. Trainees interact with senior lab personnel, other pre and post doctoral fellows. 

Kim Dietrich, PhD, Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics (DEH), Director DEB;
Role: Preceptor, Admissions Committee and co-teaches the core course Pediatric Env. Health

Dr. Dietrich serves as Director of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. His research has focused on the developmental effects of prenatal and early postnatal exposure to lead in infants, toddlers, school-age children, adolescents and adults. His studies also include an examination of the developmental benefits of chelation therapy with succimer in a multicenter clinical trial. Dr. Dietrich is examining the effects of prenatal exposure to prevalent developmental toxicants including lead, cadmium, pesticides, mercury, PCBs, tobacco smoke, and alcohol in several cohorts. Dr. Dietrich also directs neurobehavioral assessments in a study of atmospheric metal exposures in a school-age cohort study in Southeastern Ohio. He is also involved in studies examining early risk factors for the later development of breast cancer in a cohort of community dwelling prepubescent girls with and without a family history of the disease.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: Learning opportunities in Dr. Dietrich’s laboratory have included observation and training in the neurodevelopmental assessment of neonates, infants, children and adults using both psychometric and physiological measures. Trainees have gained experience in the methods of subject recruitment, tracking and retention in prospective studies and clinical trials. Trainees have also had the opportunity to be involved in the analyses of complex longitudinal data sets.. 

Joanna Groden, PhD, Professor, Vice Dean for Research; (DMG);
Role: Preceptor
Dr. Groden’s research centers on the identification and characterization of human disease genes that predispose to cancer. Her lab is studying both the APC and BLM genes, mutations in which lead to adenomatous polyposis coli and Bloom’s syndrome, respectively. Mouse models of human cancers are being developed and characterized, using genetic alteration of both Apc and Blm, in order to study the formation of intestinal, lung, mammary and pancreatic tumors. Recent work has led to the discovery that heterozygosity for a specific mutant allele of BLM is associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Laboratory Rotation Experiences: Learning opportunities in Dr. Groden's laboratory include many types of projects related to the study of mammalian susceptibility to cancer, from biochemical analysis of signaling pathways, to establishing and characterizing mouse models of cancer, to examination of families, tumors and populations to learn more about the factors that determine the course of cancer. Dr. Joanna Groden’s laboratory centers on the identification and characterization of human disease genes that predispose to cancer.

Gurjit Khurana Hershey, MD, PhD, Assoc. Prof. (DP); Role: Preceptor, Internal Advisory Com.
 

Dr. Gurjit Khurana Hershey is the Director of the Division of Asthma Research and Director of the Center for Translational Research in Allergy and Asthma, and is an endowed Professor of Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She graduated with Honors in Biochemistry from the University of Iowa. She then completed the MD/PhD program at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. After completing a pediatrics residency at St. Louis Children's Hospital, Dr. Hershey went on to complete a fellowship in allergy/immunology at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Dr. Hershey was appointed to the faculty at the University of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital in 1997. Since that time, she has built a large research program focused on delineating the mechanisms of allergic inflammation. She has been continuously NIH funded for over 10 years. She is the PI of an NIH-funded U19 Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Center. She has published over 60 articles in journals including the New England Journal of Medicine. Her trainees include 10 graduate students, and 18 postdocs or research fellows. Eight of her trainees now hold academic faculty positions. She is the Associate Director of the Physician Scientist Training Program at the College of Medicine, which is funded by the NIH. She serves on several graduate committees and teaches in 2 courses. She serves on the Executive Program Committee of the AAAAI and is the Chair of the Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Epidemiology committee.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: Learning opportunities in Dr. Khurana Hershey's laboratory are diverse and include all aspects surrounding the genetics of allergic disorders from patient recruitment to basic research aimed to elucidate molecular mechanisms. Her laboratory research centers on identifying atopy susceptibility genes, and dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of allergic diseases. Her specific focus is on cytokine receptors and signaling pathways. Current projects include delineation of the complex gene:gene and gene:environment interactions that impact the development of allergies and asthma in children. Specific molecular techniques trainees can acquire during this rotation include PCR/RFCP-based genotyping, flow cytometry, and genetic analysis of case-control study data.

James Heubi, MD, Professor, (DP);
Role: Preceptor
Dr. Heubi has several child patient-oriented projects that relate to nutrition, liver disease, and bone metabolism. He is investigating the pathogenesis of inborn errors of bile acid metabolism, including peroxisomal disorders. He is also investigating the role of intraluminal conditions such as bile acid composition and phospholipid content on cholesterol absorption and synthetic rate in adults utilizing stable isotope technology. He is exploring bone, mineral and vitamin metabolism in normal and diseased infants and children.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: Dr. Heubi provides the trainee with an opportunity to work in a variety of areas related to hepatobiliary and bone disease in children.  Trainees can work with him on ongoing studies of inborn errors of bile acid metabolism, complications of chronic liver disease and bone disease in diseased and normal infants and children. The student can learn methodologies for studying bone, mineral and vitamin metabolism in diseased and normal infants and children, understanding the use of bile acids as agents to treat liver disease, and understanding the methodologies used to measure cholesterol absorption and metabolism using stable isotopes.

Jerry B Lingrel, PhD, Professor and Chair (DMG);
Role: Preceptor, teaches required MG courses
Dr. Jerry Lingrel has a long-standing interest in gene regulation and is currently studying the role of a transcription factor, KLF 2, which is involved in multiple functions including preadipocyte differentiation, T-cell quiesance and vasculargenesis. He also studies ion transport and was the first to clone and characterize the structure of the Na,K-ATPase and its isoforms. He uses knockout technology to study the role of the alpha isoforms of the enzyme in various tissues including the cardiovascular system, ovaries and sperm. He is involved in studies related to behavior regarding these isoforms.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: Learning opportunities in his laboratory include studies related to obesity, atherosclerosis, and neurological disorders. Rotating students will be involved in 1 of these areas learning initially basic recombinant DNA technology and gene expression assays. The laboratory is composed of 4 graduate students and 3 post-doctoral fellows and this would provide an excellent opportunity for interactions. Thus far, no MECEH trainee has rotated through his laboratory, but he has been available for consultation as needed especially during the time students take the required molecular genetics courses.

Anil Menon, PhD, Professor (DMG);
Role: Preceptor and Chair Internal Advisory Committee
Dr. Menon is examining the role of sodium transport in human and mouse hypertension. The sodium transporters in the mammalian nephron are intricately involved in fluid composition and volume regulation. His team uses linkage and association analysis to determine whether variants in these genes play a role in causing hypertension and have already identified variants that play such a role, and are therefore generating “knock-in” mice for these variants.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: Dr. Menon’s laboratory uses state-of-the-art methodology examining sodium channel polymorphisms in several diverse populations to evaluate the “slave hypothesis” of hypertension. Trainees learn bacterial/vector genetics and BLAST screening using advanced technology in database computation. 

Ardythe L. Morrow, PhD, Professor (DP and DEH), Director, Center for Epid.;
Role: Preceptor
Dr. Ardythe Morrow has been conducting epidemiologic research on maternal and child health for more than 15 years. Her research focuses on the molecular epidemiology of immune factors in maternal milk on protection of infants against enteric infections, and genetic control of these factors. She is also examining bioactive factors in human milk in relation to asthma and obesity. Dr. Morrow is also funded by CDC National Immunization Program to examine pediatric immunization delivery.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: Learning experiences with Dr. Morrow's research program include involvement in subject recruitment, in-hospital studies, home visits for community-based studies, questionnaire and protocol development, data management, data analysis. Through this laboratory rotation, Dr. Molloy analyzed case-control study data from a large national data set conducted by the Collaborative Programs of Excellence in Autism. This research has been accepted for publication by the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. The Center for Epidemiology is a dynamic, growing research environment that includes a number of current and former trainees of the MECEH training program, and substantial opportunity for new trainees.

Leslie Myatt PhD, Professor (DOG), Director of the Physician Scientist Program;
Role: Preceptor
Dr. Myatt has worked in perinatal research for 3 decades. He is currently investigating regulation of the synthesis and action of eicosanoids in intrauterine tissues at the time of parturition in addition to studying the role of oxidative stress in human placental function. In addition, he is the principal investigator of a large multicenter NIH-funded clinical trial determining biomarkers that may predict the onset of preeclampsia, a pregnancy specific disorder associated with increased fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. This study is run in conjunction with a clinical trial determining the effect of antioxidant supplementation on the prevention of preeclampsia.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: Trainees rotating through this lab will acquire state-of-the-art methodologies including molecular biologic techniques and clinical study design to study the pathophysiology of human disease related to perinatology. Dr. Chames examined biomarkers that may predict the onset of preeclampsia, a pregnancy specific disorder associated with increased fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Trainees can be involved in all aspects including study design, regulatory aspects, tissue collection, wet lab studies, statistical analysis, interpretation of data and preparation of manuscripts.

Daniel W. Nebert, MD, Professor (DEH), Head, Ecogenetics Core CEG),
Role: Preceptor
Dr. Dan Nebert has carried out mouse and human genetics studies, attempting to determine the inter-individual differences in response to the same chemical or pharmaceutical agent. Research in the Nebert laboratory includes molecular biology, molecular genetics, toxicology, pharmacology, teratology, cancer research, evolutionary genomics, gene nomenclature, clinical genomics, pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: LLearning opportunities in Dr. Nebert's laboratory give trainees a broad perspective of cutting-edge molecular genetics research. Dr. Chames rotated through this cutting-edge laboratory learning molecular genetics technologies. Trainees learn aspects of molecular biology and genetics, positional cloning, protein purifications, transporter studies, toxicology, pharmacology, teratology, cancer research, evolutionary genomics, gene nomenclature, clinical genomics, pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomic and state-of-the-art technology for web-based genomics data collection. Trainees interact with senior-and junior-level postdoctoral fellows and graduate students.

Tiina Reponen, PhD, Professor (DEH);
Role: Preceptor
Dr. Reponen has conducted field and laboratory studies on environmental bioaerosol exposure assessment for more than 15 years. She is the leader of the exposure assessment team in two cohort studies. One is investigating the association between exposures to diesel and aeroallergens and children’s health in greater Cincinnati area. The other is investigating the effects of Manganese exposure on children’s health in Marietta, Ohio. Her laboratory-based research topics include the characterization of aerosolization of microorganisms from contaminated sources (e.g., moldy surfaces, metalworking fluids) and evaluation of control techniques (respirators, ventilation filters, and air purifiers) against bioaerosols.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: Learning opportunities in Dr. Reponen's laboratory include aspects of both laboratory and field studies on bioaerosols. The trainees are involved in the collection and analysis of environmental samples from home, outdoor, and occupational environments as well as in laboratory studies on the evaluation of bioaerosol sampling and control techniques. The students will have the opportunity to use state-of-art aerosol and bioaerosol sampling techniques in combination with variety of microbiological analysis methods. Interaction with several senior level PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in Dr. Reponen's international research team will give each trainee a good background and broad perspective on bioaerosol and sampling analysis. 

Rakesh Shukla, PhD, Professor and Director, Center for Biostatistical Services
Role: Preceptor
Dr. Shukla has been actively participating and contributing in many relevant aspects of stroke, cardiovascular disease and the CCAAPS study of children as evidenced by more than a dozen coauthored publications. Dr. Shukla’s current biostatistical research interests are in areas of application of statistical equivalence to medical/health research, design and analytic issues in large-scale longitudinal epidemiologic studies, and sampling strategies to balance costs and precision in longitudinal exposure assessment studies. Dr. Shukla regularly mentors young fellows and faculty during proposal writing and throughout the duration of the studies including the publications.

Laboratory Research Experience: Trainees have the opportunity to participate in statistical consulting activities with out students as a part of the Center for Biostatistical Services (CBS). The students assist and act as consultants for faculty writing grants or analyzing data. Through this activity students meet weekly with the CBS statisticians (5) discussing the consultations they have done and also each week 1 student formally presents a statistical issue or problem. This provides an opportunity for the trainees to improve their statistical knowledge and skills and learn various aspects of data management and analysis.

Glenn Talaska, PhD, Professor of Environmental Health Department: Environmental Health, Div. of Molecular Toxicology and Div. Env. & Ind. Hyg.
Role: Preceptor and Internal Advisory Committee
Dr. Glenn Talaska is an industrial hygienist and cancer biomarker researcher. He has been involved with some of the most important molecular epidemiological studies involving urinary biomarkers. His current areas of research interest include studies on the effects of aromatic amine exposure in hair dyes, passive tobacco smoke exposure, the effect of diet on genotoxic effects and biomarkers of human breast cancer.

Laboratory Rotation Experience: SStudents entering the Talaska Lab can expect to learn how to obtain and analyze human samples for exposure, susceptibility and effect biomarkers. Students can also participate in subject recruitment, sample collection and storage. They will be exposed to a full range of preparatory and analytical techniques include analyte, cell and DNA isolation, purification and analysis of metabolites on HPLC, and DNA adduct analysis. Though no students have formerly rotated through his lab, he has been available to consult with students as needed regarding issues related to exposures assessment.

Administrative

Laura Hildreth, MS, Assistant Dean, Office of Research and Graduate Education;
Role: Recruitment Assistance
Ms. Hildreth is responsible for centralized recruitment of graduate students at the College of Medicine.  Her duties include visiting undergraduate science students and faculty at target institutions to present information about research training opportunities at UC COM.  Target institutions include a number of historically black and other minority serving institutions.  She is instrumental in assisting us with opportunities for summer experiences for potential students, including underrepresented minority students.  She involves the MECEH program in her recruitment activities by discussing the program, distributing information, and by including our faculty in rotational college campus visits and activities.