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Your Environment. Your Health.

DNA & Your Environment (Environmental Polymorphisms Registry – DNA Registry for Diseases)

Study Background

For Researchers

The NIEHS is pleased to announce the availability of a repository of DNA samples collected as part of the Environmental Polymorphisms Registry (EPR). The EPR is an ongoing DNA repository established by the NIEHS Clinical Research Branch to help NIEHS and other scientists screen for genetic polymorphisms in "environmentally sensitive genes."

For more information about this study, visit ClinicalTrials.gov

Looking to Join This Study?
Visit the Join an NIEHS Study Website

The Environmental Polymorphisms Registry (EPR) is a long-term initiative to collect approximately 20,000 DNA samples from individuals. These DNA samples will be used to examine risk factors for common health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, asthma, and Alzheimer’s disease. Genetic data, along with health information (e.g., family history of disease, environmental exposure, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle data) will be used to select participants for voluntary follow-up studies to help researchers prevent, diagnose, and treat common health conditions in individual patients and whole populations.

By donating a blood sample to the EPR, you will be helping scientists discover changes in our genes that make us more or less sensitive to environmental factors and that can increase or decrease our risk for disease.

Principal Investigator

Shepherd H. Schurman
Shepherd H. Schurman, M.D.
Associate Medical Director, NIEHS Clinical Research Unit
Principal Investigator, EPR
Tel 984-287-4411
Fax 301-480-3416
shepherd.schurman@nih.gov
P.O. Box 12233
Mail Drop CU-01
Durham, N.C. 27709

Collaborating Investigators

Adam I. Schiffenbauer
Adam I. Schiffenbauer, M.D.
Staff Clinician
Environmental Autoimmunity Group, Clinical Research Branch
Tel 301-451-6270
adam.schiffenbauer@nih.gov
10 Center Dr
Clinical Center Surgical Wing
Bethesda, MD 20892-1627
Not Pictured
Rita Volochayev, Ph.D., C.R.N.P., C.P.M.N.
Family Nurse Practitioner
Tel 301-451-6266
rita.volochayev@nih.gov
10 Center Dr
Magnuson Clinical Center
Bethesda, MD 20892-1627

Project Manager

Not Pictured
Emily Learner, Ph.D.
Project Director, EPR
Tel 919-287-4353

EPR Steering Committee

The EPR Steeing Committee is composed of

  • Stavros Garantziotis: Medical Director, Clinical Research Unit and EPR Steering Committee Chair, NIEHS
  • Shepherd H. Schurman: Associate Medical Director, Clinical Research Unit and EPR Principal Investigator, NIEHS
  • Perry J. Blackshear: Group Leader, Polypeptide Hormone Action Group, NIEHS
  • Fred Miller: Chief, Environmental Autoimmunity Group, Office of Clinical Research, NIEHS
  • Jack Taylor, Group Leader, Molecular & Genetic Epidemiology Group, NIEHS
  • Paul Watkins, Director, UNC Institute for Drug Safety Sciences
  • Subject matter experts – as needed for specific requests
  • Michael B. Fessler, Acting Chief, Immunity, Inflammation, and Disease Laboratory and Principal Investigator
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