Natalie Johnson, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Environmental & Occupational Health
Chair, Interdisciplinary Program in Toxicology
Texas A&M University School of Public Health
She/Her
Description: Particulate matter (PM), a major component of ambient air pollution, accounts for a substantial burden of diseases and death worldwide. Maternal exposure to PM during pregnancy is particularly harmful to children’s health since this is a phase of rapid human growth and development. In this seminar, I will highlight recent findings from our mouse model of prenatal ultrafine particle (UFP) exposure. Our findings demonstrate in utero UFP exposure leads to dysregulated bile acid/lipid homeostasis through increased FXR expression in placenta and fetal lung tissue, augmented in female offspring. Disruption of the Nrf2 antioxidant signaling pathway further exacerbates effects. Alterations in placental develop may play a role in long-term consequences on offspring metabolic and pulmonary health. Overall, policies to reduce maternal exposure and health consequences in children should be a high priority. Keywords: Air pollution, particulate matter, ultrafine particles, prenatal exposure, children’s environmental health, placenta development, NRF2, oxidative stress.
About the Speaker: Dr. Natalie Johnson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental & Occupational Health and Chair of the Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program at Texas A&M University. Her research focuses on investigating effects of air pollution on maternal and infant immune and respiratory dysfunction. Dr. Johnson obtained her PhD in Toxicology, with an emphasis on exposure biomarkers and translational toxicology, from Texas A&M University. She then completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins University, focusing on molecular toxicology and mechanisms of chemoprevention. Dr. Johnson is the recipient of an Outstanding New Environmental Scientist award from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and Interdisciplinary Research Leaders Fellowship from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Friday, October 18, 2024, 12:00-1:15pm Eastern
Field Auditorium, Room 1112, Grainger Hall (9 Circuit Drive, Durham, NC)
This seminar will also be presented live via Panopto. Click HERE for the livestream.