Lisa Bain

Professor Lisa Bain is a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences at Clemson University within the College of Science. Her research focuses on understanding how environmental toxicants like arsenic affect developmental processes and cell fate determination. She holds a Ph.D. in Toxicology from North Carolina State University and a B.S. in Environmental Health Sciences from the University of Georgia.

Her research investigates mechanisms by which toxicants in drinking water disrupt stem cell differentiation and development in models such as rodents, zebrafish, and human pluripotent stem cells. Techniques employed include molecular biology, epigenetic analysis, and biochemical assays. Key findings include arsenic's impact on intestinal stromal cells, neuronal differentiation, and long-term functional effects.

Recent publications emphasize sex-specific effects of arsenic on intestinal signaling, Hippo pathway involvement in stem cell differentiation, and osteogenic impairment by synthetic compounds. Her work has been supported by grants such as a $367K initiative to trace arsenic's disruption of developing cells.

Lab members include Ph.D. students Melanie Garcia, Erin Levon, and Scott Ventrello, along with undergraduate Kayla Lea. Courses taught include Toxicology, Cell Biology, and Senior Seminar. She actively participates in professional organizations like the Society of Toxicology and Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.