Ilaria came to environmental toxicology with a background in biochemistry (B.S. 2017, Univ of Chicago) and cell biology (research technician, OHSU). Her thesis work in the Jayasundara Lab has focused on environmental drivers of kidney health, and specifically, how chronic exposure to metals and glyphosate in drinking water can undermine renal function at the subcellular and physiological levels. Next, she hopes to further contribute to understanding the role of environmental exposures in kidney health or otherwise leverage her expertise in toxicology to provide scientific support to environmental protection processes and advocacy. She is passionate about native plant restoration and enriching urban land use for biodiversity, hiking, video games, and improving the translatability of toxicology research to citizens and other scientific fields.
PhD Program: Environment
Faculty Advisor: Nishad Jayasundara, PhD
2025-2026 Status: 6th year
Contact: ilaria.merutka@duke.edu
Pronouns: she / her / hers
