Lung: Gases & Particles, Asthma, Fibrosis, Cancer

Howard Beall, Ph.D. (Cancer, ROS)

• Evaluating the role of NQO1 in the bioreductive activation of novel antitumor quinones that are structurally similar to naturally occurring anticancer compounds
• Testing the potential of aryl isoxazole amides, or AIMs, which interact with a novel molecular target, telomeric G-quadruplex (G4) DNA as malignant glioma anticancer agents;
• Inflammatory mediators and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in response to arsenic exposure affecting atherosclerosis and vascular development

Andrij Holian, Ph.D. (Nanotechnology, Lung Fibrosis, Particles, Methamphetamine, Epigenetics and Diet)

• Characterize mechanisms of particle and nanoparticle uptake by macrophages and the potential role of scavenger receptors in regulating lung inflammation
• Defining the mechanisms of particle-induced lysosomal disruption leading to NLRP3 inflammasome activation and characteristics of nanoparticles leading to lung pathology
• Characterize the role of the innate immune response by macrophages contributing to acute and chronic inflammation

Zeina Jaffar, Ph.D. (Lung: Gases & Particles; Systemic Immune)

• The use of cannabinoid agonists as novel therapeutic agents in suppressing allergic airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma
• The role of innate immunity in ozone-induced lung inflammation and asthma exacerbations
• The role of iNKT cells in the development of allergic lung inflammation

Chris Migliaccio, Ph.D. (Lung: gases & Particles; Epigenetics; Systemic Immune)

• The effects of inhaled particles on pulmonary immunity and the regulation of inflammatory responses
• The effects of diet and environmental exposures on immune regulation and pulmonary functions via epigenetic changes
• Environmental changes to macrophage populations and the subsequent immune dysregulation of inflammatory responses

Curtis Noonan, Ph.D. (Epidemiology, Epigenetics and Diet, Asthma)

• Impact of in-home interventions on the quality of life and breathing function of asthmatic children living in woodstove homes
• Collecting data on pregnant women and neonates to investigate the influence/risk of respiratory disease via epigenetic events on gene promoter sites relevant to inflammatory pathways
• Impact of acute exposures to biomass smoke on cognitive function

Elizabeth Putnam, Ph.D. (Cancer and Genetics, Lung Fibrosis and Particulates, CBPR)

• Control of protein production related to lung fibrosis and role of the SPARC gene in airway remodeling
• Pharmacogenomics in underserved and rural populations
• Gene-environment interactions in the development of asbestos related diseases in Libby, MT

Kevan Roberts, Ph.D. (Lung: Gases & Particles; Systemic Immune)

• The use of PGI2 and its analogs to regulate allergic airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma
• The role of IL-17 producing innate T cells and pentraxin-2 in resolving allergic lung inflammation
• The use of S-nitroglutathione reductase (GSNOR) inhibitors to limit allergic lung inflammation

Tony Ward, Ph.D. (Exposures, Lung Gases and Particles)

• Investigate the pulmonary and systemic effects of woodstove smoke exposures on mice and humans
• Investigate the organic fraction of woodstove smoke to look for new urinary or exhaled breath condensate biomarker candidates
• Collaborate with Dr. Chris Migliaccio to investigate PM2.5 and coarse PM samples collected in Missoula for mouse/cell studies