Folami Ideraabdullah

Dr. Folami Ideraabdullah is an Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Genetics at the UNC School of Medicine and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Nutrition at the Gillings School of Global Public Health. She serves as Research Director for Healthy Development and Aging in the NIEHS-funded P-30 UNC Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility and as Lead PI for the NHGRI-funded R25 training program, UNC EDGE Genomics. Dr. Ideraabdullah was elected to a three-year term as a director of the Genetic Society of America in 2021 and was named to the list of 100 Inspiring Black Scientists in America by Cell Press in 2020.

Dr. Ideraabdullah earned her BS in Biology (Genetics Option) from Pennsylvania State University in 2001, followed by a PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology from UNC Chapel Hill in 2007. She completed postdoctoral training in Biology at the University of Pennsylvania from 2007-2012 before joining UNC as an Assistant Professor. She was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure effective January 1, 2021.

Her research focuses on understanding gene-environment interactions through the lens of epigenetic mechanisms during development. The Ideraabdullah lab investigates how genetic background influences epigenetic responses to environmental factors such as nutrition (vitamin D, folate) and toxicants (endocrine disruptors like vinclozolin, arsenic). A key aspect of her work examines DNA methylation patterns during critical windows of germ cell and early embryonic development, with particular attention to how maternal health status affects offspring outcomes across generations. Her lab utilizes mouse models and has expanded to human studies including the SOWETO 1000 project in South Africa examining maternal obesity and gestational diabetes.

Analysis of Dr. Ideraabdullah's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, particularly how environmental exposures during critical developmental periods lead to persistent changes in DNA methylation patterns that affect metabolic and reproductive health across multiple generations. Her work bridges basic science with population health, examining how genetic variation influences susceptibility to environmental perturbations. Recent publications increasingly incorporate human studies alongside mouse models, reflecting a translational approach to understanding developmental origins of health and disease.

Dr. Ideraabdullah's scientific recognition includes:

• Election as Director for the Genetic Society of America (2021)
• Inclusion in Cell Press's list of 100 Inspiring Black Scientists in America (2020)

As a mentor and educator, Dr. Ideraabdullah leads the UNC EDGE Genomics program designed to increase diversity in the genomics workforce through undergraduate training. Her research program is supported by multiple NIH grants including the NIEHS-funded P-30 UNC Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility where she serves as Research Director for Healthy Development and Aging. Her work has significant implications for understanding how environmental factors interact with genetic background to influence disease risk across generations, particularly in diverse populations.

The Ideraabdullah lab maintains active collaborations across multiple disciplines, including toxicology, nutrition, genetics, and public health, with particular emphasis on creating more effective mouse models that better represent human population diversity. Her research group combines molecular techniques with computational approaches to analyze epigenetic changes across the genome.