Research Summary
My laboratory studies gene-environment interactions in the pathogenesis of lung disease. We are currently investigating 1) the role of epithelial dysfunction on pulmonary fibrosis; 2) the changes in epithelial-immune cell crosstalk in the inflammatory response; 3) the impact of acute and chronic environmental exposure (ozone, cigarette/wildfire smoke and particulate) on disease incidence in healthy and susceptible populations (genetic predisposition, age, preexisting conditions).
Education
- Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania
- Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Rutgers University School of Pharmacy
- PhD, Toxicology, Rutgers University. Project: Identification of Distinct Macrophage Subpopulations in Nitrogen Mustard-Induced Lung Injury and Fibrosis: Mechanisms of Recruitment and Activation
- PharmD, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Universita' degli Studi di Urbino, Italy
Professional Experience
| Vice-President/President, Mountain West Regional Chapter, Society of Toxicology (2023-2026) |
| Vice-President/President, Immunotoxicology Specialty Section, Society of Toxicology (2022- 2025) |
| Councilor, Immunotoxicology Specialty Section, Society of Toxicology (2020-2022) |
| Postdoctoral Representative, Immunotoxicology Specialty Section, Society of Toxicology (2018-2020) |
| Postdoctoral Representative, Toxicologic and Exploratory Pathology Specialty Section, Society of Toxicology (2016-2018) |
| Postdoctoral Representative, Division for Toxicology, Experimental Biology (2016-2017) |
| Young Scientist Committee Representative, Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology (2015-2018) |
| Chair, Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity Gordon Research Seminar (2013-2015; 2015-2017) |
| Chair, Graduate Student Leadership Committee Board, Society of Toxicology (2014-2015) |
| Coordinator, Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting Continuing Education Courses (2014-2015) |
| Secretary, Graduate Student Leadership Committee Board, Society of Toxicology (2013-2014) |
| Graduate Student Representative, Toxicologic and Exploratory Pathology Specialty Section, Society of Toxicology (2012-2014) |
| Student Officer, Graduate Program in Toxicology Teaching Assistant/Graduate Assistant Personnel Grievance Procedure Committee (2012-2014) |
| Program Developer and Instructor, Toxicology Health and Environmental Diseases High School student summer program, Rutgers University Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute. (2013, 2014, 2015) |
| Graduate Student Leadership Committee Communication Subcommittee Member, Society of Toxicology (2012-2013) |
| Teaching Assistant for Research Initiatives, Rutgers University (2012-2014) |
| President, Rutgers Association of Toxicology Students (2012-2013) |
Editorial Service
| Editor | Elsevier Comprehensive Toxicology 4th edition, Respiratory Toxicology Volume |
| Reviewer | Cell Cycle; Experimental and Molecular Pathology; Toxicological Sciences; Environmental Health Perspectives; American Journal of Physiology Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology; Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology; Communications Biology |
| Review Editor | Frontiers in Toxicology |