Nicholas Fitz

Nicholas Fitz is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. His research focuses on characterizing the Alzheimer's Disease Exposome, examining how environmental factors interact with genetic factors to influence disease risk across different ages and durations of exposure.

Dr. Fitz earned his PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Duquesne University's Mylan School of Pharmacy in 2008 and completed his BS in Animal Bioscience at Pennsylvania State University in 2001.

His primary research interests center on understanding the interplay between environmental exposures and genetic susceptibility in Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Fitz investigates how factors such as air pollution, socioeconomic status, diet, exercise, and toxicant exposures interact with endogenous factors to influence disease progression. His work specifically explores how the exposome, using low-level arsenic exposure as a model, impacts neural function through changes in cell-specific epigenome, homeostatic functions, and lipid transport.

Analysis of Dr. Fitz's publication record reveals a strong focus on Alzheimer's disease mechanisms, particularly examining the role of APOE isoforms, microglial activation, and cholesterol metabolism. His research employs transgenic animal models, transcriptomics, and molecular genetics approaches to understand neurodegenerative processes. Recent work has expanded into areas including extracellular vesicles, histone modifications, and the identification of novel biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Fitz has secured significant research funding, including a K01 grant from the National Institute on Aging titled 'Peripheral & Brain Cholesterol Metabolism in Neurodegenerative Mouse Models' (2014-2019) and an F32 grant 'Role of LXR and ABCA1 in Abeta Aggregation and Toxicity' (2009-2012).

With expertise spanning transgenic animal models, transcriptomics, microscopy, molecular genetics, cellular and molecular biology, Dr. Fitz contributes to advancing our understanding of molecular pathogenesis and experimental therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and neuroinflammation.