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Ajay PillarisettiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Household Energy Use
• Air Pollution Exposure
• Human Health Impacts
• +5 more

Ajay Pillarisetti is an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Berkeley's School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences. His research focuses on the interplay between household energy use, air pollution exposure, health outcomes, and climate change in low- and middle-income countries. A graduate of UC Berkeley (PhD) and Emory University (MPH, BS), he has led global projects in India, Mongolia, Nepal, Guatemala, Peru, and Rwanda. PhD – Environmental Health Sciences, UC Berkeley MPH – Global Environmental Health, Emory University BS – Biology, Emory College His work employs low-cost air quality sensors, longitudinal surveys, and randomized controlled trials like the HAPIN study to assess health impacts of clean fuel interventions. Key subfields include exposure assessment, implementation science, pollution's metabolic effects, and policy-driven energy transitions. He collaborates with teams across four continents and has published extensively on household air pollution's multi-scale health burdens. Recent articles (2023–2025) highlight trends in quantifying PM2.5's health effects, optimizing sensor networks, and evaluating LPG interventions for maternal/child health. His studies span Guatemala's RESPIRE cohort, Rwanda's HAPIN trial, and India's community monitoring systems, addressing gaps in exposure-response modeling, biomarker analysis, and policy advocacy.

Taina LajunenView profile

Associate Professor

• Public Health
• Environmental Health
• Gene-environment interaction
• +4 more

Taina Lajunen is a Docent in Public Health and Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research (CERH) within the Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu in Finland. She is also affiliated with the Research Unit of Population Health and holds the academic title of University Researcher . Research Interests: Gene-environment interactions in respiratory diseases Genetic epidemiology of asthma Tobacco smoke exposure and respiratory outcomes Environmental health and public health interventions Multifactorial disease mechanisms Her work spans translational research from molecular genetics to population-level epidemiology, focusing on how genetic susceptibility interacts with environmental exposures such as tobacco smoke, indoor mold, and occupational hazards to influence asthma and other respiratory conditions. Scientific Contributions: Lajunen has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, many of which are high-impact studies combining genetic data with environmental exposure metrics. Her research often uses large cohorts and case-control designs to uncover how IL6-related pathways, gene polymorphisms, and occupational exposures contribute to adult-onset asthma and respiratory infections. Contact & Affiliation: Email: taina.lajunen@oulu.fi Location: CERH, Faculty of Medicine, Aapistie 5 B, 1st floor, Oulu, Finland Postal Address: CERH, Faculty of Medicine, PO Box 5000, FI-90014 University of Oulu, FINLAND

Mehmet Oktay TaşkapanView profile

Professor

• Dermatology
• Allergology
• Immunology
• +5 more

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Oktay Taşkapan is a faculty member at Yeditepe University Faculty of Medicine within the Department of Dermatology . With a career spanning over two decades, he has contributed extensively to clinical dermatology and allergy research. Research Interests: His work focuses on atopic dermatitis, hypersensitivity reactions, autologous serum skin testing, and interactions between dermatological conditions and systemic diseases like tuberculosis. He investigates diagnostic methodologies (e.g., skin prick tests) and therapeutic interventions (e.g., retinoids, immunomodulators). Scientific Awards & Memberships: President of Turkish Dermatology Association (2010-2012) Board Member of Turkish Dermatology Association (2012-2014) Member of European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Member of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Professional Experience: Previously served as Chair of Allergic Diseases at GATA Haydarpaşa Eğitim Hastanesi until 1996, progressing through academic ranks from assistant to full professor. Currently teaches Basic Structure & Function of the Skin (2009-2010).

• Gut Microbiome
• Paediatric Immunology
• Mucosal Immunology
• +5 more

Dr. Mona Bajaj-Elliott serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation at University College London's Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (Faculty of Population Health Sciences). She concurrently holds the position of Co-Departmental Graduate Tutor at UCL. External appointments include Lecturer for the MSc Cancer program at the University of Nottingham, External Reviewer for Oxford's MSc Experimental Immunology, membership on the British Society of Gastroenterology's Gut Microbiome for Health Expert Panel, and Scientific Officer at BoobyBiome since April 2022. Her educational background includes a PhD from Birkbeck College (1984) and a BSc (Hons) from the University of London (1980). Her research centers on the gut microbial-immune axis in pediatric contexts, with five primary focus areas: (a) Gut microbiome dynamics in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation outcomes, (b) Microbial metabolite impacts on gastrointestinal homeostasis, (c) Gut microbiome roles in infant development, (d) Microbiome contributions to antimicrobial resistance, and (e) Mucosal defense mechanisms in infection and food allergy. Her laboratory investigates host-microbe-food antigen interactions at mucosal surfaces. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant research themes in pediatric microbiome-immunology interfaces, with significant emphasis on stem cell transplantation, renal transplantation, and infant/maternal microbiome dynamics. Key methodological approaches include longitudinal microbiome tracking, metabolome analysis, and translational models of infection and inflammation. Her work consistently bridges basic microbial science with clinical pediatric applications. Teaching responsibilities encompass Module Directorship for Acute & Chronic Infectious Diseases (BSc Population Health Year 2), co-direction of Epidemiological Transition (BSc Year 1) and Personalised Medicine (MSc) modules, and cross-faculty instruction on gut microbiome roles in intestinal/extraintestinal health including mental health connections. Her work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).

• Obstetrics
• Gynaecology
• Oncology
• +4 more

Dagmara Adamczak is a medical researcher at the Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Oncology within the Faculty of Medicine at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland. Identified as a physician ("lek.") in her professional title, she holds an academic position as Assistant in her department. Her research specializes in the immunological aspects of pregnancy and women's health, with particular focus on allergic conditions including atopy, asthma, and anaphylaxis. The research profile indicates investigation into cytokine patterns, blood group factors, and their relationship to allergic responses during pregnancy. Dr. Adamczak has contributed to scholarly literature with 2 publications that have earned a total impact factor of 1.3 and a ministerial score of 60 according to the university's bibliometric system. Her work appears to bridge clinical practice with immunological research in obstetrics. Her research output shows consistent focus on the intersection of reproductive health and immune responses, suggesting potential clinical applications for managing allergic conditions in pregnant patients.

Dilyana VichevaView profile

Professor

• Rhinology
• Otorhinolaryngology
• Allergic Rhinitis
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Dilyana Vicheva is a distinguished Professor of Otorhinolaryngology at the Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, serving as Vice-Rector for International Cooperation and Project Activities since 2019. An internationally recognized rhinology expert, she has delivered over 50 guest lectures at global forums and shaped clinical guidelines through major consensus documents. Education and Academic Career: Graduated from Medical University of Plovdiv (1995) Specialized at Department of Otorhinolaryngology (1996) Doctor of Medicine degree (2002) Associate Professor title confirmed (2006) Professor habilitation at Ruse University 'Angel Kanchev' (2016) Professor title at Medical University of Plovdiv (2017) Research Focus: Prof. Vicheva's work centers on rhinology with emphasis on allergic rhinitis pathogenesis, nasal polyposis mechanisms, and chronic rhinosinusitis management. Her research bridges clinical practice and translational neuroscience, investigating vitamin D's role in atopy and advancing innovative diagnostic methodologies in ENT. Scientific Recognition: Invited lecturer at Mayo Clinic's prestigious courses (2011) Elected Congress President of European Rhinology Association (2023) Academic Leadership: As Vice-Rector, she drives international project development while maintaining active roles in 10 national and 12 international consensus groups. Her research integrates with the university's Simulation-Training Technologies and Molecular Regenerative Medicine divisions, fostering global collaborations in ENT innovation.

Lidwien SmitView profile

Professor

• One Health
• Environmental Epidemiology
• Respiratory Diseases
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Lidwien Smit is a Full Professor of One Health and Environmental Epidemiology at Utrecht University, leading the One Health Microbial group at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS). She holds academic roles in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and serves as Scientific Director of the Netherlands Center for One Health. Her research focuses on environmental and occupational risk factors affecting human health, particularly respiratory diseases and antimicrobial resistance linked to livestock farming. She leads large-scale studies like the VGO study on farm emissions and the CLAIRE project evaluating air purification systems against airborne pathogens. Education: MSc (cum laude) in Environmental Sciences (Wageningen University, 2001), PhD in Environmental Epidemiology (Utrecht University, 2008), and postdoctoral training at INSERM in Paris. Over 140 scientific publications include landmark studies on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in mink farms and antimicrobial resistance in European livestock. Research Interests: One Health frameworks, zoonotic diseases, air quality, microbiome dynamics, and occupational health. Her work bridges human, animal, and environmental health with a focus on sustainable agriculture and disease prevention strategies. Publications highlight her contributions to understanding farm-related health risks, viral transmission pathways, and environmental policy. Awards include the NWO ASPASIA Grant (2018) and European Respiratory Society recognition (2016). Leadership roles: Theme Leader for One Health (Utrecht Veterinary Medicine), Board member of the Netherlands Center for One Health, and committee roles with ZonMW, Dutch Lung Foundation, and Health Council. Labs/Teams: Heads the One Health Microbial group at IRAS, collaborates on interdisciplinary projects like CLAIRE and the VGO study. Active in policy advising for agricultural sustainability and public health.

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Type 1 Diabetes
• Autoantibodies
• +4 more

Cecilia K Andersson is a Postdoctoral Researcher and Consultant specializing in Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Research at Lund University, affiliated with the EXODIAB initiative (Excellence of Diabetes Research in Sweden). Her primary focus is on autoimmunity mechanisms in type 1 diabetes, particularly investigating islet cell antibodies, beta-cell function, and genetic factors influencing disease progression. She has contributed to studies on glucose tolerance in autoantibody-positive children and the role of tissue transglutaminase autoantibodies in diabetes pathogenesis. Research Interests Autoantibody profiling in pediatric autoimmune diabetes Beta-cell dysfunction and glucose metabolism HLA genotype correlations in autoimmune disorders Clinical biomarkers for diabetes risk stratification Secondary prevention strategies in high-risk populations Her work bridges basic immunology and clinical endocrinology, with recent studies exploring stress-induced gene expression in COPD patients. Collaborations include EXODIAB's multidisciplinary diabetes research network. Labs/Teams Active member of EXODIAB: Excellence of Diabetes Research in Sweden, collaborating with Lund University's Department of Pediatrics and clinical partners in pediatric endocrinology.

• Allergy and Immunology
• Asthma
• Pediatric Allergies
• +3 more

Dr. Sharon Ahluwalia is a researcher at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) , affiliated with the School of Medicine and Department of Pediatrics . She is based at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, focusing on clinical research in allergy and immunology. Bachelor's in Biology, Harvard College MD from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Pediatric Internship/Residency, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Allergy & Immunology Fellowship, Johns Hopkins University Her research explores the intersection of urban environments and childhood asthma , particularly examining allergen exposure and respiratory outcomes. Key contributions include analyzing mouse allergens in urban settings and endotoxin exposure in laboratory workers. Recent publications highlight trends in environmental health and public health relevance of allergen mapping across different populations. Her work emphasizes clinical immunology applications in epidemiological contexts and occupational health .

Qingling DuanView profile

Associate Professor

• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• Genomics
• +6 more

Qingling Duan is an Associate Professor and Queen's National Scholar in Bioinformatics at Queen's University, jointly appointed in the School of Computing and Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences. She leads the Computational Genomics Laboratory, focusing on genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in multifactorial diseases. PhD in Human Genetics, McGill University BSc in Biology, McGill University Her research integrates genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics to investigate gene-environment interactions in asthma, COPD, and drug response variability. Key areas include: Multi-Omics Data Integration Environmental Exposure Effects Pharmacogenomics Microbiota-Host Interactions Developmental Disease Trajectories Recent publications examine epigenetic aging, human milk microbiota, and prenatal exposure effects. Her work has appeared in leading journals like Nature Communications and American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Queen’s National Scholar Award in Bioinformatics CIHR Grant Recipient International Collaboration with CHILD Cohort Study Dr. Duan advises numerous graduate students and postdocs in bioinformatics and biomedical research. Her lab collaborates with Kingston General Hospital, Hotel-Dieu Hospital, and the IMPACTT network.

• Occupational and Environmental Exposure
• Safety Assessment of Chemicals
• Non-Animal Toxicity Testing
• +4 more

Dr. Esmeralda Krop serves as Project Manager at Utrecht University's Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) within the Department of Population Health Sciences under the Veterinary Medicine school. With a PhD in occupational allergy from the University of Amsterdam, she has dedicated her career to studying human exposure scenarios in occupational and environmental contexts. Project Manager for VHP4Safety (Virtual Human Platform for Safety Assessment) Lead for AFARA (Animal-Free Assays for Endocrine Disruption) Specializes in transitioning from animal-based to human-relevant safety testing Expertise in exposure assessment, immunotoxicology, and environmental epidemiology Her research focuses on: Developing animal-free safety assessment frameworks Understanding exposure-response relationships for chemicals Creating integrated modeling approaches for resident pesticide exposure Studying immune marker dynamics in environmental contexts Advancing human biology-based toxicity testing Recent publications highlight her work on: Pesticide exposure pathways in agricultural communities Longitudinal immune marker stability in health research Microbial exposures in moisture-damaged buildings Endocrine disruption assessment methodologies Occupational health in construction and livestock industries She works closely with: International consortia including NWO, H2020 EXPANSE Interdisciplinary teams across toxicology, epidemiology, and data science Regulatory bodies and industry partners in chemical safety

• Breath Tests in Pediatrics
• Helicobacter pylori Infection
• Nutrition
• +6 more

Caterina Anania is an Associate Professor at Sapienza Università di Roma within the Department of Materno Infantile e Scienze Urologiche . With a career spanning decades at Sapienza, she has held teaching roles in Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology, and Allergology. Academic Roles: Insegnamento di Gastroenterologia alla Scuola di Specializzazione in Pediatria (2002–present), Docente al Master di II livello in Allergologia ed Immunologia Pediatrica (2017–2019), and Membro del Collegio dei Docenti per Dottorati di Ricerca (2003–2011). Education: Laurea in Medicina e Chirurgia (1982), Specializzazione in Pediatria (1986), Perfezionamento in Neonatologia (1987). Research Interests Her research focuses on Breath Tests in Pediatrics , Helicobacter pylori Infection , Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease , Celiac Disease , and Food Allergy . She explores intersections between nutrition, metabolic disorders, and immune responses in pediatric populations. Publications & Collaborations Recent work includes studies on probiotics in allergic disease prevention , non-IgE gastrointestinal allergies , and autoimmune comorbidities in celiac disease . She collaborates with international societies like ESPGHAN and EAACI . Scientific Contributions Key publications address metabolic syndrome in pediatric liver disease , vaccine responses in celiac children , and cardiometabolic risks under gluten-free diets . Her 15 most recent articles (2025–2020) span topics from food allergy pathogenesis to immunotherapy advancements in pediatric asthma.

• Paediatrics
• Midwifery
• Clinical Sciences
• +7 more

Dr. Chinnadurai Amutha serves as an Assistant Professor in the Paediatrics department at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore . Her research spans multiple domains including pediatrics, maternal-child health, clinical psychology, and public health. Key research areas: Pediatrics, maternal mental health, developmental psychology, neonatal resuscitation, ethnic-specific growth charts, and perinatal nutrition Notable contributions: Development of ethnicity-specific neonatal growth charts, pandemic response frameworks for neonatal care, and longitudinal studies on maternal feeding patterns Her publications reveal a focus on maternal-child health outcomes , with particular emphasis on: Quality improvement initiatives in pediatric mental health screening Clinical guidelines for neonatal resuscitation during pandemics Ethnic differences in gestational diabetes screening Impact of maternal feeding patterns on neonatal brain development Adiposity pathways in Asian neonates Postpartum practices across ethnic groups

• Allergy Prevention
• Microbiome Research
• Pediatric Health
• +3 more

Torbjørn Øien is Professor in Public Health and Nursing at NTNU. His research investigates early-life interventions for allergy prevention, particularly maternal probiotic supplementation and infant nutrition strategies to reduce atopic dermatitis and asthma incidence. Research examines microbiome development, immune programming, and dietary factors influencing allergic disease trajectories. Longitudinal cohort studies track probiotic effects on inflammatory biomarkers and allergy outcomes from infancy through childhood. Recent work explores filaggrin gene-environment interactions and fish consumption impacts on pediatric respiratory health. Contributes to evidence-based preventive healthcare strategies.

• Asthma
• Bronchial Diseases
• Bronchiectasis
• +7 more

Dr. Geoffrey Chupp is a Professor of Medicine in the Yale School of Medicine's Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine. He directs the Yale Center for Asthma and Airways Disease (YCAAD), a multidisciplinary program focusing on severe asthma and airway diseases. His research explores biomarkers like YKL-40 and molecular phenotyping to improve asthma treatment. He leads clinical trials evaluating biologics such as mepolizumab and tezepelumab. Educated at Tufts University and George Washington University School of Medicine, he has been recognized with awards including Connecticut Magazine's Top Docs and the Yale Technology Summit Innovation Award. Education: Bachelor's Degree: Tufts University (1986) MD: George Washington University School of Medicine (1990) Residency: Tufts University School of Medicine (1993) Fellowship: Boston University School of Medicine (1997) Research Focus: Asthma pathogenesis, chitinase biology, biomarker discovery, precision medicine approaches for severe airway diseases, and translational clinical trials. Awards: Yale Technology Summit Second Place (2017) Connecticut Top Docs (2015-2016) Yale New Haven Hospital Distinguished Service Award (2008) Key Programs: Director of YCAAD and the Pulmonary Function Laboratory at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Principal Investigator for NIH-funded studies on CHI3L1 genetics and asthma severity. Clinical Trials: Active trials include the REALITI-A mepolizumab study and NAVIGATOR tezepelumab trials, focusing on severe asthma management and biomarker-guided therapies. Labs & Teams: Chupp Lab at the Anlyan Center, collaborating with teams like the Center for Precision Pulmonary Medicine and the Tuberculosis Program.