Research Interests
The primary focus of current research is investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying human diseases caused by environmental exposures to metals and chronic changes in cellular redox status. In vivo and cell cultured based studies focus on the molecular pathology and etiology of vascular disease and lost regenerative capacity caused by chronic exposure to low levels of arsenic in drinking water. The cell signaling pathways that mediate arsenic-stimulated pathogenic phenotypic changes in endothelial, muscle, and stem cells are being investigated. Research is also focused on critical questions of how environmental arsenic exposures promote unhealthy aging, limit tissue maintenance, and impair tissue stem cell function.