Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences
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Faculty Research: Toxicology & Environmental Health
Dr. William H. Hanneman
Director for Center for Environmental Medicine, Associate Professor, Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences
Email: william.hanneman@colostate.edu
Office Phone: (970) 491-5652
Faculty Profile
- PhD, Toxicology, Texas A & M University
- MS, Physiology, California State Polytechnic University
- BS, Animal Science, University of California, Davis
Chemicals that cause nerve injury and neurological deficits are a structurally diverse group and not well understood. Cellular toxicity occurs when electrophilic adduct formation disrupts protein structure and/or function, which secondarily causes damage to organelles, metabolic pathways, and/or physiological processes. Since many neurotoxicants are also electrophiles, our laboratory has hypothesized that the corresponding pathophysiological mechanisms of neuroendocrine disruption involve protein adduction and dysfunction.
Dr. Katherine Horak
Research Scientist
Email:katherine.e.horak@aphis.usda.gov
- PhD, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona
- BS, Biology, Northern Arizona University
- BS, Mathematics, Northern Arizona University
Dr. Horak’s primary interest is the development of novel toxicants to protect food crops. Damage to food crops by wildlife is a major risk factor in the stability of the global food supply. Novel toxicants are species specific and have low accumulation in animal tissue and the environment. The process of toxicant development involves physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling, in-vitro metabolism studies, and the development of quantitative structure-activity relationships.
Dr. Marie E. Legare
Associate Director Education, Center for Environmental Medicine, Assistant Professor, Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences
Email: marie.legare@colostate.edu
Office Phone: (970) 491-7043
Faculty Profile
- PhD, Veterinary Anatomy, Texas A & M University
- DVM, Texas A & M University
- MS, Biomedical Science, Montana State University
- BS, Zoology, Montana State University
Dr. Legare’s research interest is in the analysis of genes and gene expression. She is interested in how lead, mercury, pesticide residues and other agents influence health and risk of disease. Her laboratory has several different projects on-going, including a March of Dimes grant to identify genes that are disregulated after exposure to alcohol. A second study is examining the exposure of embryonic stem cells to environmental chemicals and how genes are impacted.
Dr. Takamistsu Kato
Assistant Professor, Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences
Email: takamitsu.kato@colostate.edu
Office Phone: (970) 491-1881
Faculty Profile
- PhD, Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University
- BA, Liberal Arts, International Christian University
Dr. Kato’s research is focused on DNA damage and repair after environmental stress including ionizing radiation, heat, carcinogenic agents and anti-tumor drug. DNA damage is a major cause of tumorigenesis. As a member of National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) in Japan and a visiting scientist, I work with a NIRS team that uses a special synchrotron accelerator called HIMAC (Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba) and studies biological effects of high LET accelerated heavy ions which are used for cancer therapy.
Dr. Jennifer L. Peel
Associate Professor, Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences
Email: jennifer.peel@colostate.edu
Office Phone: 970-491-6391
Faculty Profile
- PhD, Epidemiology, Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health
- MPH, Epidemiology, Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health
- BS, Molecular and Cell Biology, Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Peel's research focuses on environmental epidemiology, specifically the health effects of ambient and indoor air pollution. Her primary research focus is to examine the occurrence of respiratory, cardiovascular, and adverse birth outcomes in relation to ambient air pollutants, including species and sources and fine and coarse particulate matter. Additionally, Dr. Peel has conducted projects in Honduras and Nicaragua examining the impacts of improved indoor biomass cook stoves on air pollution exposure and health.
Dr. Ronald B. Tjalkens
Associate Directory Research, Center for Environmental Medicine; Associate Professor, Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences
Email: ron.tjalkens@colostate.edu
Office Phone: (970) 491-7168
Faculty Profile
- PhD, Toxicology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
- BS, Chemistry/Biochemistry, University of California at San Diego
Research projects focus on neuroinflammatory mechanisms in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly disorders of the basal ganglia such as manganism and Parkinson’s disease. Specific areas of interest include inflammatory activation of microglia and astrocytes, astrocyte biology and calcium signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction, and molecular regulation of neuro-inflammatory genes. Approaches emphasize multi-dimensional fluorescence imaging, transgenic models, and molecular approaches to modulate gene expression in neural cells.
Dr. Howard S. Ramsdell
Associate Director Consulting Services, Center for Environmental Medicine; Associate Professor, Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences
Email: howard.ramsdell@colostate.edu
Office Phone: (970) 491-5698
Faculty Profile
- PhD, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University
- BA, Chemistry, Pomona College, California
Dr. Ramsdell's research involves the use of biochemical approaches for the study of toxic chemical exposures and effects. His interests include the processes responsible for the bioactivation and detoxification of toxic chemicals as well as the biochemical changes caused by toxic chemical exposure. Recent and ongoing projects include field and laboratory biomarker studies of wildlife species (mammalian, avian, amphibian) and humans potentially exposed to environmental contaminants.
Center for Environmental Medicine
Colorado State University
1681 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1681
Phone: (970) 491-8635
Fax: (970) 491-2940
cvmbs-cem@colostate.edu
