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Dale P. Sandler, Ph.D.
Chief, Epidemiology Branch and Senior Investigator -
Tel 984-287-3711
Fax 301-480-3290
[email protected] -
P.O. Box 12233Mail Drop A3-05Durham, NC 27709
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Kelly K. Ferguson, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Deputy Chief and Senior Investigator -
Tel 984-287-3700
[email protected] -
P.O. Box 12233Mail Drop A3-05Durham, NC 27709
Research Summary
The Epidemiology Branch addresses the mission of NIEHS by carrying out research on the effects of the environment on human health. Our research covers a wide range of conditions with potential links to environmental exposures. Studies address health across the lifespan from pregnancy and child development to chronic diseases of aging.
Many Epidemiology Branch studies take advantage of biological and environmental samples to measure biomarkers of exposure, susceptibility, or effect. Our research portfolio includes a mix of “big science” and more narrowly defined work. Large multi-purpose cohorts and multi-investigator pooling projects and research consortia address health effects of lifestyle and environmental exposures, gene-environment interactions and genome- and epigenome-wide associations. Our portfolio also includes laboratory-based observational and mechanistic studies. Cohorts developed and followed by the Branch facilitate multi-disciplinary studies of health effects of environmental exposures and foster collaborations both within NIEHS and with the extramural community.
The Epidemiology Branch, led by Branch Chief Dale P. Sandler, Ph.D., and Deputy Branch Chief Kelly K. Ferguson, Ph.D., M.P.H., is part of the NIEHS Division of Intramural Research (DIR), which encompasses both basic and applied research. The Epidemiology Branch staff includes three tenured Senior Investigators, two Tenure-track Investigators, three Scientists Emeriti, several Staff Scientists, and affiliated investigators, along with many predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows. The Branch regularly hosts international visitors, guest researchers, summer interns, and other short-term trainees.
The Epidemiology Branch research program comprises five Principal Investigator-led research groups, with active participation by our three contributing Scientists Emeriti, and a research support team:
- Chronic Disease Epidemiology Group - Led by Dale Sandler, Ph.D., this group uses prospective cohorts to study the impact of environmental and lifestyle exposures on a range of health outcomes. The Agricultural Health Study (in collaboration with the NCI) focuses on cancer and non-cancer health risks associated with pesticides and other agricultural exposures. The Sister Study focuses on environmental and genetic contributors to breast cancer and other cancer and non-cancer outcomes. The GuLF STUDY follows persons who cleaned up after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster. Interests of the group include breast and other hormonal cancers, metabolic conditions, autoimmune, kidney and neurological diseases, and respiratory health in relation to individual and ambient environmental and psychosocial exposures across the lifespan.
- Environment and Cancer Epidemiology Group - Led by Alexandra White, Ph.D., this group aims to identify potentially modifiable environmental risk factors for cancer. Current research in this group focuses on evaluating the relationship between breast cancer and environmental exposures including air pollution, metals and other chemicals, and identifying relevant underlying biologic mechanisms. This group also uses advanced statistical methods to study how mixtures of chemicals work together and interact to influence cancer risk.
- Environmental and Social Determinants of Health Group - Led by Chandra Jackson, Ph.D., this group focuses on identifying biological mechanisms by which social and physical environmental factors affect health and contribute to differential health outcomes—for example, how neighborhood/housing and work environments affect sleep health and subsequent cardiometabolic health.
- Fertility and Reproductive Health Group - Led by Anne Marie Jukic, Ph.D., this group aims to identify environmental factors that influence fertility and early pregnancy health. Research in this group focuses on menstrual cycle function, conception, pregnancy loss, and early placental development. The group explores the use of innovative digital tools such as menstrual cycle tracking apps, for reproductive health research. Research studies include prospective studies of time to pregnancy and early pregnancy loss, and a clinical trial of vitamin D and menstrual cycles (the inVitD trial).
- Perinatal and Early Life Epidemiology Group - Led by Kelly Ferguson, Ph.D., M.P.H., this group conducts research on how maternal exposure to chemicals impacts pregnancy and the development of the fetus and child. The group also investigates biological mechanisms, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption, which may explain links between chemical exposures and adverse birth outcomes.
- Scientists Emeriti: Donna Baird, Ph.D., previously led the Women’s Health Research Group. She continues to engage in research on uterine fibroids, a high morbidity condition for women that poses significant public health burden for women. Jack Taylor, M.D., Ph.D., led the Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology Group. He continues to collaborate on studies of epigenetic modifications to DNA in relation to human exposures and cancer risks. Allen Wilcox, M.D., Ph.D., formerly led the Reproductive Epidemiology Group. He continues to contribute to research on fertility, conception and early fertility, and birthweight and preterm delivery.
- Scientific Program Support Team - Led by Paula Juras, Ph.D., these staff scientists, specialists, and administrators provide scientific and administrative support for management of the Epidemiology Branch research program.
Requesting Data from Epidemiology Branch Studies
The Epidemiology Branch readily shares data for collaborative research and validation of published work. Please see Data Sharing within the Resources section.