Daniel A. Notterman

Roles and Affiliations: Daniel A. Notterman is a Professor of the Practice in Molecular Biology and Senior Research Scholar at Princeton University. He serves as the Senior Advisor to the Provost for Biomedical Affairs and MolBio Medical Career Advisor. His primary affiliation is with the Department of Molecular Biology, and he leads the Notterman Lab.

Research Focus: Notterman's work centers on the interplay between genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors in child development and health. Key areas include:

• Gene-Environment Interactions: Examines how genetic variants (e.g., HTT promoter variants) modulate sensitivity to environmental stressors, such as socioeconomic conditions influencing postpartum depression.
• Epigenetic Mechanisms: Investigates DNA methylation and telomere dynamics as mediators of long-term health outcomes. For example, his team linked adverse early environments to accelerated telomere shortening, moderated by serotonergic gene variants.
• Autism Genetics: Analyzes whole-genome sequencing and epigenetic data in families with multiple affected siblings, focusing on monozygotic twins to identify genetic/epigenetic correlates of autism spectrum disorders.

Collaborations and Projects: The lab collaborates with the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (Woodrow Wilson School), tracking 5,000+ children for genomic and social data. This cohort provides insights into how early adversity impacts health trajectories via epigenetic and telomere changes.

Advising and Leadership: As Medical Career Advisor, Notterman guides students in biomedical pathways. He also participates in national networks, such as the NIH-funded Pediatric Critical Care Research Network, contributing to studies on pediatric resuscitation and sepsis outcomes.

Labs and Resources: The Notterman Lab integrates molecular biology, computational analysis, and social science data to address translational questions in child health. Core facilities at Princeton, including the Sequencing & Microarray and Proteomics labs, support his research.