Education

• B.S., Biology (Chemistry minor), Delaware State University, 2007
• Joined the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program in 2007
• Adviser:  Martha Sue Caraway and David Diaz-Sanchez
  

Research Interests

Epidemiological evidence has revealed a strong association between exposure to air pollution and increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality, but the mechanisms behind these associations are not clearly understood. One of the major components of air pollution is particulate matter (PM), which is classified into three categories based on the diameter: coarse particles, fine particles, and ultrafine (UF) particles. Increasing evidence suggests that UF particles are of particular importance in CV effects of air pollution because they constitute a majority of particles by number, have a significantly large surface area-to-mass ratio, and a small diameter that makes them more likely to deposit in the alveolar region of the lung. One potential mechanism behind the association between PM exposure and CV morbidity and mortality involves direct activation of cells of the vasculature from PM agents that have crossed into the circulatory system. UF particles may not leave the lung to directly mediate adverse CV effects, but their soluble components could enter the circulatory system and directly interact with vascular cells. In my studies, I examine the hypothesis that the soluble components of UF particles cause altered endothelial cell phenotype that contributes to vascular dysfunction through activation of oxidant signaling and induction of pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant responses in endothelial cells.

Personal Interests

I enjoy playing sports, reading, traveling, volunteering for the Special Olympics, and playing with my Golden Retriever, Maya!