
We study the interaction of drugs, hormones and environmental factors with the developing organism, with particular emphasis on the fetal and neonatal nervous system. The role of biochemical factors mediating development of nerve cells and other types of tissue is a major thrust, since they influence the subsequent structural and physiological status of critical organ systems. Ongoing projects comprise five areas: (1) Mechanisms regulating development of synapses - role of endocrine and other trophic factors, intracellular messengers in developing cells, control of target organ differentiation by neural input; (2) Adverse effects of exogenous agents on development, with an emphasis on identification of mechanisms by which behavioral or physiological damage occurs - drugs of abuse (especially nicotine), hormonal imbalances, environmental contaminants (especially pesticides), food additives, intrauterine growth retardation, fetal and neonatal hypoxia; (3) Control of fetal and neonatal cardiovascular and respiratory function by the immature nervous system - normal physiological mechanisms, responses to stress, factors mediating the transition from fetal to neonatal function, reactivity during delivery, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; (4) Breast cancer cell growth regulation - role of hormone and neurotransmitter receptors converging on common cell signaling mechanisms, and targeting of these receptors for cancer therapeutics.
Education and Training
- University of Rochester, Ph.D. 1970
Selected Grants and Awards
- Pharmacological Sciences Training Grant
- Duke University Program in Environmental Health
- Alzheimer's Disease, Genes, and Pesticide Use in the Agricultural Health Study
- Pharmacological Sciences Training Program
- Paternal Transgenerational Epigenetic Legacy from Use of Cannabis
- Pharmacology Industry Internships for Ph.D. Students
- Duke University Program in Environmental Health
- Establishing an AOP for the Role of the Vitamin D Receptor in Developmental Neurotoxicity
- The Effect of Perinatal Nicotine Exposure on the Development of Autonomic Responses
- Mechanisms of sarin neurobehavioral teratogenicity
- Project 1 (supplement)
- In vitro studies of perfluorinated chemicals
- MECHANISMS OF CHLORPYRIFOS DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROTOXICITY
- Fetal & Adolescent Nicotine Effects on CNS 5HT Systems
- Drugs and Development of the Adrenergic Nervous System
- Superfund Chemicals Impact on Reproduction & Development (Supplement)
- Superfund Chemicals Impact on Reproduction & Development (Supplement)
- EPA STAR Fellowship - Melissa Garofolo
- Pharmacologic reversal of behavioral teratogenesis: pilot study
- Graduate Fellowship
- Fellowship for Christina Dam
- Study Of Depression
- Crc/Pe For The Study Of Depression
- Drugs And Development Of Adrenergic Nervous System
- Drugs And Development Of The Adrenergic Nervous System
- Molecular And Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Dose-Response
- Molecular And Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Dose-Response
- Drugs And Development Of Adrenergic Nervous System(Supp)
- Neuronal And Hormonal Factors In Normal And Abnormal
- Neuronal And Hormonal Factors In Normal And Abnormal Kidne
- Role Of Ornithine Decarboxylase And Polyamines In Kidney
- Drugs And The Development Of The Nervous System