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