Fall 2020 Seminar Series (ENV 847-S/PHARM 847-S)
Duke Integrated Toxicology & Environmental Health Program
Friday, November 20, 2020, 12:00 – 1:15 pm
*Live Zoom Presentation. Register HERE to receive Zoom link!*
LINCHEN HE, PhD CANDIDATE
Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment
The Role of Melatonin in Pathophysiologic Responses to Air Pollution Exposure
Melatonin is a hormone excreted by the pineal gland with a marked circadian rhythm. It is an important hormone that regulates many biological functions, including sleeping, reproduction, and immunity. Melatonin is also a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecular and may affect the lung function in asthmatic patients. However, the role of melatonin in pathophysiological responses to air pollution exposure is still unknown. Specifically, my research is to investigate the impacts of melatonin on the relationships of air pollution exposure with systemic oxidative stress and inflammation in healthy adults and pulmonary physiology in asthmatic children.
BIOGRAPHY: Linchen He is a 5th year PhD candidate in the Environment program at Duke. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering in 2013 from Shanxi University and Master’s degrees in Environmental Management in 2015 and Environmental Sciences in 2020 from Duke University. Linchen started his doctoral program at Duke University in 2016 under the supervision of Dr. Junfeng (Jim) Zhang. Linchen is very interested in exploring new biomarkers, molecular mechanisms, and statistical methods for assessing the health effects of conventional and emerging environmental risk factors, such as air pollution.