Alexander Suvorov

Alexander Suvorov is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst's School of Public Health and Health Sciences. He also serves as Graduate Program Director for Environmental Health Sciences and maintains an active research laboratory focused on developmental toxicology.

• Location: 173B Goessmann Education
• Contact: asuvorov@schoolph.umass.edu | 413-545-3487

Dr. Suvorov earned his Doctor of Science from the Russian Academy of Sciences in 2006, a PhD from the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1994, and an MSc from Moscow State Pedagogical University in 1990.

His research focuses on the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis, specifically investigating how exposure to environmental stressors during vulnerable developmental windows impacts long-term health outcomes. His laboratory has developed animal models to study the connections between environmental exposures, social behavior, and physiological changes, with particular emphasis on endocrine disruptors like PBDE flame retardants and their effects on metabolic pathways including the mTOR signaling pathway. His work combines molecular biology, toxicology, and behavioral science to understand the mechanisms by which early life exposures lead to lasting health consequences.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on PBDE exposure effects on liver metabolism, testicular function, and social behavior, with publications appearing in journals like Toxicology and Endocrine Society publications. His work has gained significant attention, including features in The Conversation with over 20,000 readers in the first week.

Scientific recognition includes multiple awards for his lab members from the Society of Toxicology, with students receiving prestigious Pfizer Awards, Women in Science awards, and Graduate Travel Awards.

• Joseph McGaunn and Menna Teffera received the Pfizer Award
• Victoria Salemme received Women in Science and 2nd place Molecular and Systems Biology Specialty Section Undergraduate Research Award
• Saira Amir received Graduate Travel Award
• Joseph McGaunn also received the Rising Researcher award

Dr. Suvorov actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students, with several of his students co-authoring publications. His laboratory uses a broad range of molecular biology and toxicology methods including exposure experiments with rodents, RNA-seq, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and various epigenomic analyses. He teaches EHS667: Environmental and Occupational Toxicology, where classroom experiments have directly led to published research.