William P. Melega

William P. Melega is a Professor in the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His research explores the health impacts of ambient particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air pollution, focusing on oxidative stress and inflammation as drivers of respiratory, cardiovascular, and central nervous system diseases.

• Education: PhD from UCLA (1981)
• Academic Career: 1989-1991 Assistant Research Neuropharmacologist; 1992-1998 Assistant Professor; 1999-2007 Associate Professor; 2008-present Professor at UCLA

His work bridges chemical analysis and biological studies to identify molecular interactions between air pollution components and cellular targets like macrophages and tumor cells, aiming to elucidate environmental contributions to disease progression.