Understanding the Role of Neurotoxicant Exposure in Age at Onset of Neurodegenerative Disease

As a Board Certified Toxicologist and Behavioral Neuroscientist, I have a unique set of credentials that allow me to understand the complex relationships between occupational and environmental exposures to neurotoxic chemicals and the age at onset of neurodegenerative diseases. My early research in this area was the first to show a connection between age at onset of sporadic Parkinson's disease and duration of occupational exposure to metals and pesticides. This work has since been replicated and expanded upon by other investigators and now stands as the bedrock upon which future research is being built.

My training first at the bedside in the Department of Neurology at the Boston University School of Medicine and then at the bench as a Post Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Pharmacology at the BUSM where I was supported by a National Institute on Aging Training Grant in the Biochemistry of Aging has provided me with a truly unique set of highly translational skills necessary make a significant impact in this area of research.

What is it about?

It is becoming increasing clear that occupational and environmental exposures to neurotoxic chemicals plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The goal of my research is to understand both how and the extent to which these interactions influence age at onset of these debilitating age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Why is it important?

A better understanding of how occupational and environmental exposures to neurotoxic chemicals influences the age at onset of neurodegenerative diseases will allow public health officials to change policies such as OSHA permissible exposure limits (PEL) and EPA maximum contamination levels (MCL) which impact public health.