Research Interests
Key words: gene-environment interactions in asthma, systems genetics, regulation of gene expression
I share the view of many of my UNC Genetics colleagues that most complex disease is the result of a myriad of interactions between genes and environment. My research is focused on the identification of gene-environment interaction (GEI) in allergic asthma, a disorder of major public health importance. In many ways, allergic asthma represents an ideal case study of GEI, because while airway exposure to allergen (environment) is necessary, not all exposed individuals develop asthma (genetics). Family-based linkage studies have shown that this variable response to allergens is partly heritable. Thus, the interaction between genetic variation and environmental exposure is likely to underlie the complex etiology of asthma.
Undoubtedly this complexity presents big research challenges. One has to employ an appropriate combination of reductionist (e.g. in vitro or in vivo models) and integrative, systems-level approaches to gain deeper understanding of the underlying biology. Likewise, one has to work with investigators in other fields (e.g. pulmonary medicine, environmental health, and epidemiology) to translate findings from laboratory models to humans. The goal of my lab is to tackle the challenges surrounding GEI in asthma by employing new genomic approaches. Our lab is fortunate to be a part of the new UNC Cystic Fibrosis and Pulmonary Disease Center, an assembly of investigators whose aim it is to understand the underlying causes Cystic Fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma. We are working collaboratively on several projects to make headway on these important diseases.
Mentor Training:
- ACCLAIM
- Bias 101
- Culturally Aware Mentoring
- Faculty Mentoring Workshop for Biomedical Researchers
Publications
Samir Kelada in UNC Genetics News

February 16, 2021
GENETICS article “Inferring the Allelic Series at QTL in Multiparental Populations” has been chosen for the 2020 GSA Spotlight
The paper, published by Drs. Wesley Krouse, Samir Kelada and William Valdar in GENETICS December 2020, was selected for the 2020 Spotlight collection of research and scholarship excellence published in the GSA journals.

December 18, 2020
Samir Kelada, PhD Receives Bridge Funding from SOM Dean’s Office
Dr. Samir Kelada (Associate Professor) was awarded bridge funding from the UNC SOM Dean’s Office for his project “Genome-wide analyses of gene-environment interactions with the air pollutant ozone”.

November 16, 2020
GENETICS Editors Highlight Paper by Crouse, Kelada and Valdar in December 2020 Issue
Drs. Wesley Crouse, Samir Kelada and Will Valdar (UNC Department of Genetics) published the manuscript “Inferring the Allelic Series at QTL in Multiparental Populations” in the October 20, 2020 edition of the journal GENETICS. This paper will be featured as an issue highlight in the December 2020 edition of the journal. The article follows: Multiparent …

September 8, 2020
Department of Genetics Publications for August 23 – Sept. 5, 2020
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published eight papers during August 23 – Sept. 5, 2020.

December 4, 2019
Department of Genetics Publications for Nov. 17-30, 2019
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published seventeen papers during Nov. 17-30, 2019.

October 21, 2019
Department of Genetics Publications for October 6-19, 2019
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published nine papers during October 6-19, 2019.

July 8, 2019
Lauren Donoghue Selected for Human Genomics Program
Lauren Donoghue, GMB Graduate Student in Dr. Samir Kelada’s laboratory, has been selected to attend the Leena Peltonen School of Human Genomics program in Switzerland on August 18-22, 2019.

July 8, 2019
Dr. Samir Kelada Accepted to Academic Career Leadership Academy in Medicine (ACCLAIM)
Samir Kelada, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Genetics, has been accepted into the ACCLAIM program for 2019-2020.

May 6, 2019
Department of Genetics Publications from April 21-May 4, 2019
Department of Genetics faculty, postdocs, students and collaborators published fourteen papers during April 21-May 4, 2019.