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Photo of Dona Schneider Ph.D., M.P.H.
Dona Schneider, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Professor and Associate Dean for Programs Rutgers University, Bloustein SchoolEOHSI – Environmental Health Policy

Dona Schneider is Professor and Associate Dean for Programs at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Dr. Schneider teaches epidemiology at both Rutgers and the UMDNJ-School of Public Health. She serves as article, book and grant reviewer for more than 30 journals, agencies and publishing houses; and has served as thesis chair for more than 35 graduate students. Her research record includes more than 100 refereed journal articles, books and book chapters, mostly focusing on mortality, morbidity and risk factors for disease, especially for children and minorities. Dr. Schneider also serves as PI for the HIV Community Prevention, Support and Development Initiative (HIV CPSDI), a Bloustein unit that trains and provides technical assistance to community-based organizations working to prevent the spread of HIV in New Jersey.

Full Bio

Research Areas

Health and Policy Issues Facing American Children and Minorities; Mortality; Morbidity; and High Risk Behaviors

Scholarly Activities

  • 2005 Recognition Award for Service to the Editorial Board, American Journal of Public Health
  • 2004 Recognition Award for Public Service, NJ HIV Community Planning Group
  • 2002 Recognition for Public Service – Township of Princeton, NJ
  • 2002 University of Medicine and Dentistry Foundation Teaching Award
  • 2002 Elected to Delta Omega – Honorary Society for Public Health
  • 1997 Elected Fellow – American College of Epidemiology
  • 1996 Special Service Award – Rutgers Academy of Life-long Learning
  • 1991 Elected to Miami Group for Young Scholars – Association of American Geographers
  • 1989 Special Service Award – Princeton Joint Environmental Commission
  • 1985 Jacques M. May Thesis Prize – Association of American Geographers
  • 1979 Phi Kappa Phi, Summa Cum Laude, Trenton State College

Recent Publications

  1. Greenberg, MR, Schneider, D. Income disparities and risk: Geographical manifestations of extreme inequities in the United States. Risk Anal. 2024; :. doi: 10.1111/risa.14349. PubMed PMID:38984664
  2. Greenberg, M, Schneider, D donas@rutgers.edu. Population density: What does it really mean in geographical health studies?. Health Place. 2023;81 :103001. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103001. PubMed PMID:36947902
  3. Black, CM, Vesco, KK, Mehta, V, Ohman-Strickland, P, Demissie, K, Schneider, D. Costs of Severe Maternal Morbidity in U.S. Commercially Insured and Medicaid Populations: An Updated Analysis. Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle). 2021;2 (1):443-451. doi: 10.1089/whr.2021.0026. PubMed PMID:34671765 PubMed Central PMC8524749
  4. Black, CM, Vesco, KK, Mehta, V, Ohman-Strickland, P, Demissie, K, Schneider, D. Hospital Readmission Following Delivery With and Without Severe Maternal Morbidity. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2021;30 (12):1736-1743. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8815. PubMed PMID:33978478
  5. Black, CM, Vesco, KK, Mehta, V, Ohman-Strickland, P, Demissie, K, Schneider, D. Incidence of Severe Maternal Morbidity During Delivery Hospitalization in U.S. Commercially Insured and Medicaid Populations. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2022;31 (1):91-99. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8556. PubMed PMID:33891488
  6. Schneider, D, Greenberg, MR. Urban Planning and Public Health:: Synergies for Achieving a Healthy Delaware. Dela J Public Health. 2018;4 (2):56-63. doi: 10.32481/djph.2018.03.011. PubMed PMID:34466965 PubMed Central PMC8396702
  7. Gezmu, T, Schneider, D, Demissie, K, Lin, Y, Gizzi, MS. Risk factors for acute stroke among South Asians compared to other racial/ethnic groups. PLoS One. 2014;9 (9):e108901. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108901. PubMed PMID:25268987 PubMed Central PMC4182514
  8. Gezmu, T, Schneider, D, Demissie, K, Lin, Y, Giordano, C, Gizzi, MS. Lipid profiles and ischemic stroke risk: variations by sex within racial/ethnic groups. Int J Womens Health. 2014;6 :585-95. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S61274. PubMed PMID:24940081 PubMed Central PMC4051728
  9. Gezmu, T, Gizzi, MS, Kirmani, JF, Schneider, D, Moussavi, M. Disparities in acute stroke severity, outcomes, and care relative to health insurance status. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2014;23 (2):e93-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2013.08.027. PubMed PMID:24103662
  10. Schneider, D, Colaco, M, Markowski, P, Barone, JG. Urinary dysfunction in children is associated with exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. J Pediatr Urol. 2013;9 (6 Pt B):1116-21. doi: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2013.04.009. PubMed PMID:23702349
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Photo of Stephan Schwander M.D., Ph.D.
Stephan Schwander, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director, Center of Global Public Health Rutgers University- School of Public HealthEOHSI – Environmental Health Policy

The primary goal of my translational research is to improve the understanding of environmental effects on human health and human immunity during infections such as with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), the bacterium that causes TB. For the past 15 years my lab, in collaboration with others, has spearheaded research on human lung immune responses to M.tb. Our findings helped to establish the concept of compartmentalization of immune responses to the lungs in human pulmonary TB.

Recent studies from my lab with co-investigators at EOHSI and at the University of Southern California (USC), have shown that stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) alter cytokine production and toll-like receptor-mediated M.tb-specific cell activation pathways. DEPs are major components of aerosolized urban ambient fine particulate matter (PM). We noted that the production of critical M.tb-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 was reduced in a DEP dose-dependent manner in PBMC. Furthermore, inhibition of expression of many NF-kB and IFN regulatory signaling pathway target genes was observed upon DEP stimulation in non-infected cells. These data suggest that DEPs downregulate M.tb-induced cytokine and gene expression responses thus significantly compromising antimycobacterial host immune responses.

Research Interests

  • Human antimycobacterial immunity
  • Human lung immunology during mycobacteriumtuberculosis infection and disease
  • Effects of particulate matter on antimycobacterial immunity

Recent Publications

  1. Ezeigwe, NM, Adinma, ED, Okobia, EL, Schwander, S. Characterization and Quantification of Vehicular Emissions in Abuja Municipality-Implications for Public Health. Niger Med J. 2024;65 (3):276-291. doi: 10.60787/nmj-v65i3-383. PubMed PMID:39022566 PubMed Central PMC11249476
  2. Son, Y, Weisel, C, Wackowski, O, Schwander, S, Delnevo, C, Meng, Q. The Impact of Device Settings, Use Patterns, and Flavorings on Carbonyl Emissions from Electronic Cigarettes. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17 (16):. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17165650. PubMed PMID:32764435 PubMed Central PMC7460324
  3. Son, Y, Mainelis, G, Delnevo, C, Wackowski, OA, Schwander, S, Meng, Q. Investigating E-Cigarette Particle Emissions and Human Airway Depositions under Various E-Cigarette-Use Conditions. Chem Res Toxicol. 2020;33 (2):343-352. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00243. PubMed PMID:31804072 PubMed Central PMC7301609
  4. Ibironke, O, Carranza, C, Sarkar, S, Torres, M, Choi, HT, Nwoko, J, Black, K, Quintana-Belmares, R, Osornio-Vargas, Á, Ohman-Strickland, P et al.. Urban Air Pollution Particulates Suppress Human T-Cell Responses to Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16 (21):. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16214112. PubMed PMID:31731429 PubMed Central PMC6862251
  5. Sarkar, S, Rivas-Santiago, CE, Ibironke, OA, Carranza, C, Meng, Q, Osornio-Vargas, Á, Zhang, J, Torres, M, Chow, JC, Watson, JG et al.. Season and size of urban particulate matter differentially affect cytotoxicity and human immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. PLoS One. 2019;14 (7):e0219122. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219122. PubMed PMID:31295271 PubMed Central PMC6622489
  6. Torres, M, Carranza, C, Sarkar, S, Gonzalez, Y, Osornio Vargas, A, Black, K, Meng, Q, Quintana-Belmares, R, Hernandez, M, Angeles Garcia, JJF et al.. Urban airborne particle exposure impairs human lung and blood Mycobacterium tuberculosis immunity. Thorax. 2019;74 (7):675-683. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2018-212529. PubMed PMID:31036772 PubMed Central PMC7162557
  7. Son, Y, Mishin, V, Laskin, JD, Mainelis, G, Wackowski, OA, Delnevo, C, Schwander, S, Khlystov, A, Samburova, V, Meng, Q et al.. Hydroxyl Radicals in E-Cigarette Vapor and E-Vapor Oxidative Potentials under Different Vaping Patterns. Chem Res Toxicol. 2019;32 (6):1087-1095. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.8b00400. PubMed PMID:30977360 PubMed Central PMC6579624
  8. Kirenga, BJ, Nantanda, R, de Jong, C, Mugenyi, L, Meng, Q, Aniku, G, Williams, S, Aanyu-Tukamuhebwa, H, Kamya, M, Schwander, S et al.. Lung Function of Children at Three Sites of Varying Ambient Air Pollution Levels in Uganda: A Cross Sectional Comparative Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15 (12):. doi: 10.3390/ijerph15122653. PubMed PMID:30486291 PubMed Central PMC6313711
  9. Son, Y, Wackowski, O, Weisel, C, Schwander, S, Mainelis, G, Delnevo, C, Meng, Q. Evaluation of E-Vapor Nicotine and Nicotyrine Concentrations under Various E-Liquid Compositions, Device Settings, and Vaping Topographies. Chem Res Toxicol. 2018;31 (9):861-868. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.8b00063. PubMed PMID:30080399 PubMed Central PMC6350771
  10. Son, Y, Osornio-Vargas, ÁR, O’Neill, MS, Hystad, P, Texcalac-Sangrador, JL, Ohman-Strickland, P, Meng, Q, Schwander, S. Land use regression models to assess air pollution exposure in Mexico City using finer spatial and temporal input parameters. Sci Total Environ. 2018;639 :40-48. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.144. PubMed PMID:29778680 PubMed Central PMC10896644
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Photo of Usmaan Shah MD
Usmaan Shah, MD
Resident Rutgers UniversityEOHSI Clinical Research and Occupational Medicine
Photo of Stuart Shapiro Ph.D.
Stuart Shapiro, Ph.D.
Associate Professor Rutgers University, Bloustein SchoolEOHSI – Environmental Health Policy

Stuart Shapiro joined the Bloustein School faculty in 2003 after five years in the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in Washington. In OIRA he analyzed and coordinated executive branch review in the areas of labor, health and social policy. Prior to working at OIRA he received his PhD in Public Policy from Harvard University where he studied how political factors impacted changes to child care regulations in eight states. He has taught courses at Harvard, Georgetown, and the USDA Graduate School.

Research Areas

Interplay between politics and policy analysis in the regulatory process. Recent areas of focus has been on the use of cost-benefit analysis and the regulatory process in the states.

Recent Publications

  1. Shapiro, S. Defragmenting the regulatory process. Risk Anal. 2011;31 (6):893-901. doi: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2010.01556.x. PubMed PMID:21679219
  2. Shapiro, S. Evaluating the benefits and costs of regulatory reforms: what questions need to be asked?. Eval Program Plann. 2008;31 (3):223-30. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2008.03.008. PubMed PMID:18486971
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Photo of Derek G Shendell D. Env., M.P.H.
Derek G Shendell, D. Env., M.P.H.
Professor and Director of the NJ Safe Schools Program Rutgers University, School of Public HealthEOHSI – Environmental and Population Health Bio-Sciences

Education

  • D.Env, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health / Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
  • MPH, Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Sciences (Environmental Epidemiology and Policy tracks)
  • AB, Dartmouth College

Dr. Shendell’s CV

Research Areas

Dr. Shendell works to “bridge” science, education and policy in a multidisciplinary fashion to reduce and/or prevent environmental exposures and health effects. He focuses on community/schools-based research with local participation in planning and execution; educational trainings and materials, service and technical assistance; and informed/evidence-based policy advocacy.

Furthermore, he is Director of the NJ Safe Schools Program and co-facilitates the NJ OSHA Alliance, which are within the Center for School and Community Based Research and Education. The program includes injury surveillance (including only school-based system, online and in-print, for working minors and young adults), science-to-policy, regular statewide e-communications, and training for teachers and administrative professionals in secondary education (public and private) concerning safety and health.

Among many research and practice-oriented service activities outside NJ, he is Student Involvement co-Chair (Faculty Chair) of the American Public Health Association (APHA) – Environment (ENV) (and a member of both ENV and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) sections), and an annual meeting abstract reviewer for APHA ENV and OHS as well as other international societies he is a member of. Inside NJ, he is an approved appointee by the State of NJ Governor’s office (multiple administrations) to the Commission on Environmental Education/Interagency Working Group and the Child Labor Advisory Board to advise the NJ Department of Environmental Protection and NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development, respectively, using various data to inform decisions.

Research Highlights

  • Asthma among children and older adults, with novel exposure measurement techniques; etc.
  • Incident (injury, illness) surveillance among minors/young workers reported in NJ, including among special health care needs students;
  • Indoor air and environmental quality in homes, office buildings and schools, including portable versus traditional, site-built school classrooms and facilities;
  • Urban outdoor air quality and environment characterization, including relationships between indoor, outdoor, personal (adult, child) and in-vehicle air concentrations of fine particles and various toxic air contaminants;
  • Ventilation and energy efficiency, and linkages to student attendance.

Recent Publications

Click here for additional publications by Dr. Shendell.

  1. Aggarwal, J, Shendell, DG, Nguyen, KT, Rehman, M, Campbell, ML. Newer New Jersey work-based learning teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic: school safety regarding ventilation, trainings, and awareness of government agencies resources. Int J Environ Health Res. 2024; :1-10. doi: 10.1080/09603123.2024.2378097. PubMed PMID:39003756
  2. Aggarwal, J, Campbell, ML, Rehman, M, Nguyen, KT, Shendell, DG. Perspectives and Attitudes of Newer New Jersey High School Teachers towards Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting Consumer Products Used in School Classrooms. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024;21 (2):. doi: 10.3390/ijerph21020211. PubMed PMID:38397700 PubMed Central PMC10887922
  3. Aggarwal, J, Nguyen, KT, Campbell, ML, Shiau, S, Shendell, DG. Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Case Status among New Jersey Secondary Educational Professionals. Vaccines (Basel). 2023;11 (11):. doi: 10.3390/vaccines11111667. PubMed PMID:38005999 PubMed Central PMC10674534
  4. Rattanawitoon, T, Siriwong, W, Shendell, D, Fiedler, N, Robson, MG. An Evaluation of a Pesticide Training Program to Reduce Pesticide Exposure and Enhance Safety among Female Farmworkers in Nan, Thailand. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20 (17):. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20176635. PubMed PMID:37681775 PubMed Central PMC10487852
  5. Nguyen, KT, Aggarwal, J, Campbell, ML, Shiau, S, Shendell, DG. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among New Jersey Teachers and Impacts of Vaccination Information Dissemination. Vaccines (Basel). 2023;11 (2):. doi: 10.3390/vaccines11020466. PubMed PMID:36851344 PubMed Central PMC9967281
  6. Shendell, DG, Black, LF, Way, Y, Aggarwal, J, Campbell, MLF, Nguyen, KT. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Awareness of New Jersey Public High School Students about Concepts of Climate Change, including Environmental Justice. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023;20 (3):. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20031922. PubMed PMID:36767299 PubMed Central PMC9915891
  7. Campbell, ML, Shendell, DG. Survey of New Jersey K-12 Professionals on Work-Based Learning During COVID-19: A Preliminary Study and Future Implications. J Sch Health. 2023;93 (2):123-127. doi: 10.1111/josh.13285. PubMed PMID:36370006 PubMed Central PMC9878248
  8. Rehman, M, Gonzalez, LN, Shendell, DG. Introducing high school students to human rights to help promote environmental justice and health: An example from NJ and NYC. Explore (NY). 2022;18 (5):621-623. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2022.06.017. PubMed PMID:35989237
  9. Aggarwal, J, Gichura, MW, Campbell, MLF, Nguyen, KT, Shendell, DG. COVID-19 School vs. Community-Based Outbreak Trends among New Jersey K-12 Schools during the 2020-2021 School Year. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19 (15):. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19159285. PubMed PMID:35954643 PubMed Central PMC9367846
  10. Black, L, Li, K, Shendell, DG. Expanding awareness of climate change, sustainability, and environmental health through an introductory short online course for high school students. Explore (NY). 2022;18 (3):381-383. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2022.03.006. PubMed PMID:35379587
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Photo of Patrick Sinko Ph.D.
Patrick Sinko, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor and Associate Vice President for Research Rutgers University, Ernest Mario School of PharmacyEOHSI – Toxicology

Research Areas

Drug delivery and targeting with an emphasis on AIDS, cancer, and chemical counterterrorism, biomaterials, hydrogels and nanocarriers, mechanism-based pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics; transport and metabolism, and bioavailability.

Research Highlights

Dr. Sinko’s research is focused on the mechanisms and applications of biopharmaceutics and polymers to drug delivery and targeting. His laboratory is located in the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy. His group’s research efforts focus on the design, fabrication and evaluation of molecular-scale drug and diagnostic delivery technologies applied broadly to asthma, AIDS, cancer, and chemical counterterrorism. Dr. Sinko’s research efforts have been continuously supported by the National Institutes of Health, various nonprofit organizations and the Pharmaceutical and Biotech industries.

The research group is organized into therapeutic areas focusing on AIDS, cancer, and chemical counter-terrorism. Drug delivery at the molecular scale (i.e., nano) using biodegradable and biocompatible polymer platforms is a central theme. The scope of current projects includes a molecular mechanistic component, chemical design and synthesis, and biological and efficacy characterization (in vitro, in situ, and in vivo) with an emphasis on translation from concept to clinic.

Scholarly Activities

  • 2006 MERIT (Method to Extend Research in Time) Award, National Institutes of Health, for grant: Enhancing Intestinal & Brain Uptake of Anti-AIDS Drugs (R37 AI/DK-51214). The NIH awards MERIT status “to a select number of funded investigators (<5%) who have demonstrated superior competence, outstanding productivity during their previous research endeavors and are leaders in their field with paradigm-shifting ideas. The MERIT award runs through 2016.
  • 2003 Parke-Davis Endowed Chair in Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University.
  • 2003 elected Fellow, American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, (Alexandria, VA).
  • 1999 Gallo Award for Outstanding Cancer Research (with Drs. F.R. Luo, E. Rubin and A.K. Lalloo, and P.V. Paranjpe).
  • 1997 Gallo Award for Outstanding Cancer Research (with Drs. E. Gupta, T. Cook, and E. Rubin).
  • 1997 Controlled Release Society, Inc., CRS-Dow Corning Recognition Award for Excellence in Guiding Graduate Student Research.
  • 1995 Hoechst Celanese Innovative Research Award.
  • 1994 Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Rutgers College Parents Association, Rutgers University.
  • 1993 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Young Investigator Grant in Pharmaceutics and the Pharmaceutical Technologies.
  • 1992 Eli Lilly Young Investigator Award in Pharmaceutics.
  • 1992 Burroughs Welcome Fund New Investigator Award, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

Recent Publications

  1. Roldan, TL, Li, S, Guillon, C, Heindel, ND, Laskin, JD, Lee, IH, Gao, D, Sinko, PJ. Optimizing Nanosuspension Drug Release and Wound Healing Using a Design of Experiments Approach: Improving the Drug Delivery Potential of NDH-4338 for Treating Chemical Burns. Pharmaceutics. 2024;16 (4):. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16040471. PubMed PMID:38675132 PubMed Central PMC11053863
  2. Roldan, TL, Li, S, Laskin, JD, Gao, D, Sinko, PJ. Depilatory double-disc mouse model for evaluation of vesicant dermal injury pharmacotherapy countermeasures. Animal Model Exp Med. 2023;6 (1):57-65. doi: 10.1002/ame2.12304. PubMed PMID:36872306 PubMed Central PMC9986227
  3. Joseph, LB, Gordon, MK, Zhou, P, Hahn, RA, Lababidi, H, Croutch, CR, Sinko, PJ, Heck, DE, Laskin, DL, Laskin, JD et al.. Sulfur mustard corneal injury is associated with alterations in the epithelial basement membrane and stromal extracellular matrix. Exp Mol Pathol. 2022;128 :104807. doi: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2022.104807. PubMed PMID:35798063 PubMed Central PMC10044521
  4. Sandhu, SK, Kumar, S, Raut, J, Singh, M, Kaur, S, Sharma, G, Roldan, TL, Trehan, S, Holloway, J, Wahler, G et al.. Systematic Development and Characterization of Novel, High Drug-Loaded, Photostable, Curcumin Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Hydrogel for Wound Healing. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021;10 (5):. doi: 10.3390/antiox10050725. PubMed PMID:34063003 PubMed Central PMC8148018
  5. Al-Zubaydi, F, Gao, D, Kakkar, D, Li, S, Holloway, J, Szekely, Z, Chan, N, Kumar, S, Sabaawy, HE, Love, S et al.. Breast intraductal nanoformulations for treating ductal carcinoma in situ II: Dose de-escalation using a slow releasing/slow bioconverting prodrug strategy. Drug Deliv Transl Res. 2022;12 (1):240-256. doi: 10.1007/s13346-021-00903-y. PubMed PMID:33590464
  6. Wilson, BK, Sinko, PJ, Prud’homme, RK. Encapsulation and Controlled Release of a Camptothecin Prodrug from Nanocarriers and Microgels: Tuning Release Rate with Nanocarrier Excipient Composition. Mol Pharm. 2021;18 (3):1093-1101. doi: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c01012. PubMed PMID:33440941
  7. Laskin, JD, Wahler, G, Croutch, CR, Sinko, PJ, Laskin, DL, Heck, DE, Joseph, LB. Skin remodeling and wound healing in the Gottingen minipig following exposure to sulfur mustard. Exp Mol Pathol. 2020;115 :104470. doi: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2020.104470. PubMed PMID:32445752 PubMed Central PMC7374066
  8. Al-Zubaydi, F, Gao, D, Kakkar, D, Li, S, Adler, D, Holloway, J, Szekely, Z, Gu, Z, Chan, N, Kumar, S et al.. Breast intraductal nanoformulations for treating ductal carcinoma in situ I: Exploring metal-ion complexation to slow ciclopirox release, enhance mammary persistence and efficacy. J Control Release. 2020;323 :71-82. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.04.016. PubMed PMID:32302762
  9. Chen, P, Zhang, X, Venosa, A, Lee, IH, Myers, D, Holloway, JA, Prud’homme, RK, Gao, D, Szekely, Z, Laskin, JD et al.. A Novel Bivalent Mannosylated Targeting Ligand Displayed on Nanoparticles Selectively Targets Anti-Inflammatory M2 Macrophages. Pharmaceutics. 2020;12 (3):. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12030243. PubMed PMID:32182675 PubMed Central PMC7150811
  10. Gu, Z, Al-Zubaydi, F, Adler, D, Li, S, Johnson, S, Prasad, P, Holloway, J, Szekely, Z, Love, S, Gao, D et al.. Evaluation of intraductal delivery of poly(ethylene glycol)-doxorubicin conjugate nanocarriers for the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)-like lesions in rats. J Interdiscip Nanomed. 2018;3 (3):146-159. doi: 10.1002/jin2.51. PubMed PMID:30443411 PubMed Central PMC6220801
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Photo of Thant Soe Ph.D.
Thant Soe, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow Rutgers UniversityEOHSI -Toxicology
Brenda Sookhram
Rutgers UniversityEOHSI – Clinical Research and Occupational Medicine
Photo of David Souren MCP, CompTIA Network+
David Souren, MCP, CompTIA Network+
Unit Computing Specialist Rutgers UniversityEOHSI – Central Administration/Network Services
Photo of Phoebe Stapleton Ph.D., A.T.C.
Phoebe Stapleton, Ph.D., A.T.C.
Associate Professor Rutgers University-Ernest Mario School of PharmacyEOHSI- Toxicology

Dr. Stapleton is an Assistant Professor in the Rutgers University, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and the Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology. She received her B.S. in Biology and Athletic Training from State University of New York (SUNY) College at Cortland, a M.S.Ed. in Kinesiology from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, and a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from West Virginia University. She completed her postdoctoral training within the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at West Virginia University.

Research Areas

The microcirculation branch of the cardiovascular system encompasses the arterioles, capillaries, and venules within an organ or tissue of interest. These highly active vessels serve to maintain homeostasis by regulating blood flow and tissue perfusion, thus providing nutrients and removing waste. Central to proper reactivity is the health and function of the endothelium, a single cell layer lining the vasculature. The Stapleton laboratory investigates the microvascular perturbations associated with normal physiological challenges (exercise or pregnancy), disease, and exposures to environmental and/or occupational xenobiotics.

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Using engineered nanomaterials, studies focus on the question: how can something we inhale affect the cardiovascular system? Recently, her research group has investigated non-traditional models of exposure by incorporating reproductive toxicology. These studies focus on exposures during pregnancy leading to the development of a hostile gestational environment identified through microvascular evaluations of the mother. These prenatal exposures impact fetal development and may predispose future generations to cardiovascular aberrations. The Stapleton laboratory is funded by a NIEHS ONES award, NIH R01 ES031285.

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Research Highlights

  • Identified and visualized nanoplastic particles are able to translocate from the maternal lungs to the fetal tissues after pulmonary exposure in late pregnancy.
  • Development of a novel placental perfusion technique to quantify material transfer from the maternal uterine circulation to the fetal umbilical circulation and measure biomarkers of uteroplacental function.
  • Identification of the development of a hostile gestational environment after engineered nanomaterial exposure during pregnancy.
  • Development of a novel intravital microscopy technique to visualize the vasculature of the pregnant uterus.
  • Investigations of mitochondrial function and bioenergetics in young exposed to xenobiotic matter during gestation.
  • Identification of microvascular dysfunction and behavioral alterations associated with engineered nanomaterial exposure in gestation.
  • Inhaled micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNP) aerosols were found to alter inflammatory, cardiovascular, and endocrine activity in virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats.
  • Identified and visualized micro- and nanoplastic particles that have translocated from the maternal lungs or GI system to the fetal tissues 24h after pulmonary or gastric exposure, respectively, in late pregnancy.”

Awards

 

  • Dr. Stapleton received the Outstanding New Environmental Scientist (ONES) Award from NIEHS.
  • Dr. Stapleton was awarded the Society of Toxicology (SOT) Achievement Award (2024)
  • Ms. Chelsea Cary’s manuscript (Single inhalation exposure to polyamide micro and nanoplastic particles impairs vascular dilation without generating pulmonary inflammation in virgin female Sprague Dawley rats) was awarded the Impact Award for the Cardiovascular Toxicology Specialty Section and the Best Manuscript Award for the Occupational and Public Health Specialty Section of SOT (2024)
  • Laboratory publication, Ingested polystyrene micro-nanoplastics (MNPs) translate to placenta and fetal tissues in pregnant rats identified as top 1% of NIEHS papers published in 2023″
  • Ms. Chelsea Cary awarded the Rutgers School of Graduate Studies Aaron Shatkin Graduate Award (2023)
  • Ms. Talia Seymore was a finalist for the Trophoblast Research New Investigator Award, International Federation of Placental Association (IFPA) (2023)
  • Ms. Chelsea Cary was awarded a Kirschstein-NRSA (F31) from NIEHS (2023)
  • Ms. Chelsea Cary and Talia Seymore were each awarded a Diversity Initiatives Career Development Award from SOT to attend the IFPA meetings, individually (2023)
  • Dr. Stapleton was awarded the Women in Toxicology (WIT) Outstanding Young Investigator award (2023)
  • Laboratory publication, Maternal, placental, and fetal distribution of titanium after repeated titanium dioxide nanoparticle inhalation through pregnancy identified as top 1% of NIEHS papers published in 2022
  • Mr. Andrés D. Rivera Ruiz was awarded the SOT Undergraduate Diversity Award in 2021 for his work as an 2020 Virtual SURF trainee.
  • Ms. Chelsea Cary won the 2021 Graduate Student Trainee Award from the Cardiovascular Toxicology Specialty Section of the Society of Toxicology (SOT).
  • Dr. Stapleton received the 2021 New Career Scientist Award from the Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Specialty Section of the Society of Toxicology (SOT).
  • Dr. Stapleton received the 2020 Young Investigator Award from the Inhalation and Respiratory Toxicology Specialty Section of the Society of Toxicology (SOT).
  • Invited speaker to the NIEHS 50th Anniversary Celebration with SOT titled SOT and NIEHS Past, Present, and Future: 50 Years of Collaboration.
  • Past-President of the Allegheny-Erie Regional Chapter of the Society of Toxicology.
  • Dr. Stapleton recently published a symposia review of Gestational Nanomaterial Exposures in the Journal of Physiology (2016) 594(8):2161-73. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26332609)
  • Dr. Stapleton has been awarded the Impact Award by the Cardiovascular Toxicology Specialty Section of SOT (2016), the Best Publication Award by the Nanotoxicology Specialty Section of SOT (2016), and the Best Postdoctoral Publication Award by the Postdoctoral Assembly of SOT (2014).
  • Appointed as Review Editor for Frontiers in Vascular Physiology (2012).

In the News

 

Recent Publications

  1. Qian, N, Stapleton, P, Yan, B, Min, W. Reply to Materić: Appropriate blanks should avoid major contamination sources in the lab. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024;121 (48):e2415874121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2415874121. PubMed PMID:39546558 PubMed Central PMC11621815
  2. Moreno, GM, Brunson-Malone, T, Adams, S, Nguyen, C, Seymore, TN, Cary, CM, Polunas, M, Goedken, MJ, Stapleton, PA. Identification of micro- and nanoplastic particles in postnatal sprague-dawley rat offspring after maternal inhalation exposure throughout gestation. Sci Total Environ. 2024;951 :175350. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175350. PubMed PMID:39117197 PubMed Central PMC11487574
  3. Cary, CM, Fournier, SB, Adams, S, Wang, X, Yurkow, EJ, Stapleton, PA. Single pulmonary nanopolystyrene exposure in late-stage pregnancy dysregulates maternal and fetal cardiovascular function. Toxicol Sci. 2024;199 (1):149-159. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfae019. PubMed PMID:38366927 PubMed Central PMC11057520
  4. Qian, N, Gao, X, Lang, X, Deng, H, Bratu, TM, Chen, Q, Stapleton, P, Yan, B, Min, W. Rapid single-particle chemical imaging of nanoplastics by SRS microscopy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024;121 (3):e2300582121. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2300582121. PubMed PMID:38190543 PubMed Central PMC10801917
  5. Adams, S, Stapleton, PA. Nanoparticles at the maternal-fetal interface. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2023;578 :112067. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112067. PubMed PMID:37689342 PubMed Central PMC10591848
  6. Stapleton, PA. The Application of Engineered Nanomaterials in Perinatal Therapeutics. Small. 2024;20 (41):e2303072. doi: 10.1002/smll.202303072. PubMed PMID:37438678 PubMed Central PMC10784409
  7. Cary, C, Stapleton, P. Determinants and mechanisms of inorganic nanoparticle translocation across mammalian biological barriers. Arch Toxicol. 2023;97 (8):2111-2131. doi: 10.1007/s00204-023-03528-x. PubMed PMID:37303009 PubMed Central PMC10540313
  8. Cary, CM, Seymore, TN, Singh, D, Vayas, KN, Goedken, MJ, Adams, S, Polunas, M, Sunil, VR, Laskin, DL, Demokritou, P et al.. Single inhalation exposure to polyamide micro and nanoplastic particles impairs vascular dilation without generating pulmonary inflammation in virgin female Sprague Dawley rats. Part Fibre Toxicol. 2023;20 (1):16. doi: 10.1186/s12989-023-00525-x. PubMed PMID:37088832 PubMed Central PMC10122824
  9. Cary, CM, DeLoid, GM, Yang, Z, Bitounis, D, Polunas, M, Goedken, MJ, Buckley, B, Cheatham, B, Stapleton, PA, Demokritou, P et al.. Ingested Polystyrene Nanospheres Translocate to Placenta and Fetal Tissues in Pregnant Rats: Potential Health Implications. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2023;13 (4):. doi: 10.3390/nano13040720. PubMed PMID:36839088 PubMed Central PMC9965230
  10. Bowdridge, EC, Thompson, J, Bourque, S, Stapleton, P. Editorial: Getting to the heart of developmental toxicities. Front Toxicol. 2023;5 :1138470. doi: 10.3389/ftox.2023.1138470. PubMed PMID:36726487 PubMed Central PMC9886310
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  1. Engler-Chiurazzi EB, Stapleton PA, Stalnaker JJ, Rambo-Hernandez KE, Sarkar SN, Jun S, Quintana DD, Ren X, Hu Heng, Nurkiewicz TR, McBride CR, Yi J, Simpkins JW. Adult Behavioral Consequences of Prenatal Engineered Nanomaterial Exposure in Rodents. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A. 2016; 79(11): 447-52. doi: 10.1080/15287394.2016.1164101.
  2. Stapleton PA. Gestational xenobiotic exposures: microvascular implications for the past, present, and future. Journal of Physiology. Apr; 594(8): 2161-73, 2016. (invited symposium review) doi: 10.1113/JP270581.
  3. Stapleton PA, Nichols CE, Yi J, McBride CR, Minarchick VC, Shepherd DL, Hollander JM, Nurkiewicz TR. Microvascular and mitochondrial dysfunction in the female F1 generation after gestational TiO2 nanoparticle exposure. Nanotoxicology. 2015 Nov;9(8): 941-51. doi: 10.3109/17435390.2014.984251.
  4. Nichols CE, Shepherd DL, Knuckles TL, Thapa D, Stricker JC, Stapleton PA, Minarchick VC, Alway SE, Nurkiewicz TR, Hollander JM. Cardiac and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Following Acute Pulmonary Exposure to Mountaintop Removal Mining Particulate Matter. American Journal of Physiology – Heart and Circulatory Physiology. Dec; 309(12): H2017-30, 2015. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00353.2015.
  5. Stapleton PA, McBride CR, Yi J, Nurkiewicz TR. Uterine microvascular sensitivity to nanomaterial inhalation: an in vivo assessment. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. Nov; 288(3): 420-8, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2015.08.013
  6. Stapleton PA, Minarchick VC, Yi J, Engels K, McBride CR, Nurkiewicz TR. Maternal engineered nanomaterial exposure and fetal microvascular function: does the Barker hypothesis apply? Am J Obstet Gynecol. Sep; 209(3): 227.e1-227.e11, 2013. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.04.036.
  7. Stapleton PA, Minarchick VC, Cumpston AM, McKinney W, Chen BT, Sager TM, Frazer DG, Mercer RR, Scabilloni J, Andrew M, Castranova V, Nurkiewicz TR. Impairment of coronary arteriolar endothelium-dependent dilation after multiwalled-carbon nanotube inhalation: a time course study. IJMS. Oct; 13: 13781-13803, 2012. doi: 10.3390/ijms131113781.
  8. Stapleton PA, Minarchick V, Knuckles TL, Nurkiewicz TR. Xenobiotic Particle Exposure and Microvascular Endpoints: A Call to Arms. Microcirculation. Feb; 19(2):126-42, 2012. doi: 10.1111/j.1549-8719.2011.00137.x.
Photo of Patricia Starke RN
Patricia Starke, RN
Nurse Case Manager Rutgers UniversityEOHSI Clinical Research and Occupational Medicine – World Trade Center
Photo of Jodi Streich Ph.D.
Jodi Streich, Ph.D.
Mental Health Director – World Trade Center Clinical Center of Excellence Rutgers UniversityEOHSI- Clinical Research and Occupational Medicine
Photo of Vasanthi Sunil Ph.D.
Vasanthi Sunil, Ph.D.
Associate Research Professor Rutgers University, Ernest Mario School of PharmacyEOHSI – Toxicology

Research Interests

  • Mechanisms of pulmonary inflammation and repair
  • Effects of bacterial toxins, environmental pollutants and chemical warfare toxicants on lung function and gene regulation
  • Age-associated alterations in signaling pathways in the lung

Awards and Honors

  • 2003 New Jersey Cancer Research Award for Scientific Excellenc

Recent Publications

  1. Malaviya, R, Meshanni, JA, Sunil, VR, Venosa, A, Guo, C, Abramova, EV, Vayas, KN, Jiang, C, Cervelli, JA, Gow, AJ et al.. Role of macrophage bioenergetics in N-acetylcysteine-mediated mitigation of lung injury and oxidative stress induced by nitrogen mustard. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2024;485 :116908. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.116908. PubMed PMID:38513841
  2. Cary, CM, Seymore, TN, Singh, D, Vayas, KN, Goedken, MJ, Adams, S, Polunas, M, Sunil, VR, Laskin, DL, Demokritou, P et al.. Single inhalation exposure to polyamide micro and nanoplastic particles impairs vascular dilation without generating pulmonary inflammation in virgin female Sprague Dawley rats. Part Fibre Toxicol. 2023;20 (1):16. doi: 10.1186/s12989-023-00525-x. PubMed PMID:37088832 PubMed Central PMC10122824
  3. Sunil, VR, Vayas, KN, Radbel, J, Abramova, E, Gow, A, Laskin, JD, Laskin, DL. Impaired energy metabolism and altered functional activity of alveolar type II epithelial cells following exposure of rats to nitrogen mustard. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2022;456 :116257. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.116257. PubMed PMID:36174670
  4. Carnino, JM, Lee, H, Smith, LC, Sunil, VR, Rancourt, RC, Vayas, K, Cervelli, J, Kwok, ZH, Ni, K, Laskin, JD et al.. Microvesicle-Derived miRNAs Regulate Proinflammatory Macrophage Activation in the Lung Following Ozone Exposure. Toxicol Sci. 2022;187 (1):162-174. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfac025. PubMed PMID:35201360 PubMed Central PMC9041552
  5. Malaviya, R, Bellomo, A, Abramova, E, Croutch, CR, Roseman, J, Tuttle, R, Peters, E, Casillas, RP, Sunil, VR, Laskin, JD et al.. Pulmonary injury and oxidative stress in rats induced by inhaled sulfur mustard is ameliorated by anti-tumor necrosis factor-α antibody. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2021;428 :115677. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115677. PubMed PMID:34390737 PubMed Central PMC8452183
  6. Malaviya, R, Abramova, EV, Rancourt, RC, Sunil, VR, Napierala, M, Weinstock, D, Croutch, CR, Roseman, J, Tuttle, R, Peters, E et al.. Progressive Lung Injury, Inflammation, and Fibrosis in Rats Following Inhalation of Sulfur Mustard. Toxicol Sci. 2020;178 (2):358-374. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa150. PubMed PMID:33002157 PubMed Central PMC7751178
  7. Sunil, VR, Vayas, KN, Abramova, EV, Rancourt, R, Cervelli, JA, Malaviya, R, Goedken, M, Venosa, A, Gow, AJ, Laskin, JD et al.. Lung injury, oxidative stress and fibrosis in mice following exposure to nitrogen mustard. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2020;387 :114798. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.114798. PubMed PMID:31678244 PubMed Central PMC7066865
  8. Sunil, VR, Radbel, J, Hussain, S, Vayas, KN, Cervelli, J, Deen, M, Kipen, H, Udasin, I, Laumbach, R, Sunderram, J et al.. Sarcoid-Like Granulomatous Disease: Pathologic Case Series in World Trade Center Dust Exposed Rescue and Recovery Workers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16 (5):. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16050815. PubMed PMID:30845693 PubMed Central PMC6427752
  9. Sunil, VR, Vayas, KN, Cervelli, JA, Ebramova, EV, Gow, AJ, Goedken, M, Malaviya, R, Laskin, JD, Laskin, DL. Protective Role of Surfactant Protein-D Against Lung Injury and Oxidative Stress Induced by Nitrogen Mustard. Toxicol Sci. 2018;166 (1):108-122. doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy188. PubMed PMID:30060251 PubMed Central PMC6204765
  10. Sunil, VR, Vayas, KN, Fang, M, Zarbl, H, Massa, C, Gow, AJ, Cervelli, JA, Kipen, H, Laumbach, RJ, Lioy, PJ et al.. World Trade Center (WTC) dust exposure in mice is associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and epigenetic changes in the lung. Exp Mol Pathol. 2017;102 (1):50-58. doi: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2016.12.005. PubMed PMID:27986442 PubMed Central PMC5472054
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