Prenatal effects of cigarette smoke

We know that the epigenome is different in babies who were exposed to cigarette smoke in utero or in early life. What we don't know is why, or how these epigenetic changes influences their health. We hope to discover the specific mechanisms that link these together, with the goal of discovering ways to change health trajectories and make sure every child is as healthy as possible.

Epigenetic age

Recently, researchers discovered that we can predict someone's age by measuring a small number of sites in the epigenome. Referred to as epigenetic age, we know that people with advanced epigenetic age have poorer health outcomes, but we do not really understand how the epigenetic clock moves faster in these individuals, or what causes it to accelerate. 

Cellular mechanisms of epigenetic changes

One of our fundamental questions is how epigenetic changes are induced by environmental exposures. With our collaborators, we are investigating specific cellular mechanisms that transmit environmental signals to the cell.