Investigators

Summary

One of the major long-term research goals of my group is to explore the mechanisms by which environmental exposures increase the risk of liver disease and cancer in experimental and translational studies. Specifically, we explore the role of vinyl chloride (VC) exposure (at concentrations below the safety regulations) in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although high occupational exposures to VC can directly cause liver injury and cancer, these studies have not considered interactions of low concentrations of VC with risk-modifying factors. We have demonstrated enhanced tumorigenesis in mice exposed to low-level VC. Our overall hypothesis is therefore that the concentrations of VC that a currently considered safe are sufficient to exacerbate hepatic pathology including HCC when combined with additional risk factors, such as overnutrition and that this may drive inter-individual risk. Importantly, such an interaction would imply that risk may be underestimated at this time. These studies are also entirely novel in the context of environmental health and are therefore expected to be highly impactful, especially in the light of the recent E. Palestine, OH train derailment that exposed hundreds of residents to toxic chemicals, such as VC.