Alison Elder

Alison Elder, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She is affiliated with several research programs including the Environmental Health Sciences Center, the Inhalation Exposure Facility, the Toxicology Training Program (as Co-Director), the Lung Biology and Disease Program, and the Multidisciplinary Training in Pulmonary Research Program. Her research focuses on the toxicology of inhaled ultrafine particles (UFPs) and engineered nanomaterials, with implications for pulmonary, cardiovascular, and central nervous system health.

• Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Irvine (1997)
• B.S. in Chemistry, Chatham College (1992)
• Post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester (1997–2000)

Dr. Elder’s research centers on the health impacts of airborne particulate matter, particularly how age, co-pollutants, and health status influence responses to inhaled particles. Her work explores the translocation of particles to extrapulmonary tissues, including the brain, and their role in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. She investigates mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and glymphatic dysfunction. Her lab also studies airborne micro- and nanoplastics, focusing on exposure characterization and health implications.

Her recent publications span topics including Alzheimer’s disease models, glymphatic impairment, nanoparticle dissolution, and diesel exhaust effects on lung barriers. These works emphasize particle-induced inflammation, neurotoxicity, and the intersection of environmental exposure with neurological outcomes.

• Young Investigator Award, Society of Toxicology (2009)
• Cornerstone Alumna Award, Chatham University (2007)
• Graduate Student Fellowship, U.S. EPA (1995–1996)
• College Chemistry Award, Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (1992)

Dr. Elder mentors graduate students in toxicology and has trained numerous postdoctoral fellows and technicians. She leads an active research laboratory funded by NIH and DOD, investigating air pollution’s role in brain health and military burn pit exposures. Her collaborative research includes work with experts in neuroscience, materials science, and environmental engineering. She is also involved in national workshops on nanomaterial risk assessment and children’s environmental health.

She leads the Elder Lab, which conducts studies on air pollution and Alzheimer’s disease, characterizes airborne micro- and nanoplastics, and develops models for nanoparticle toxicity. The lab uses advanced techniques in particle characterization, animal modeling, and cellular assays to assess health risks.