What is your professional background?
I obtained my BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Mercer University in Macon, and an MS in Molecular Biology and Cellular Pathology from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. I then moved to Birmingham Alabama, where I completed my PhD in Pathology and Biomedical Sciences in 2016 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham under the leadership of Drs. Aimee Landar and Victor Darley-Usmar. I then relocated back to Georgia for a postdoctoral fellowship position, where I am currently developing my knowledge in multiple omic based techniques and working with a great team.
In what division do you work, and who is your mentor?
I work in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine with my mentors Dr. Dean P. Jones and Dr. Young Mi-Go.
Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
My research interests are centered on understanding how chemicals that we expose ourselves to everyday influence our metabolic health. These chemicals can be present in our diet, our daily routine, such as our commute to work or through our daily habits, and even through occupational hazards, such as burn-pits or laboratory work. Many of these chemicals have been identified as carcinogens or risk factors for disease. Importantly, more and more studies are showing that environmental chemicals are associated with increased incidences of asthma, stroke, and cancer. It is therefore important to understand how much of these chemicals we expose ourselves to, and how they cause disease in humans. My research involves identifying and quantifying the levels of these chemicals in humans, and then establishing valid cellular models to identify the mechanisms of how these chemicals perturb our metabolism. I use a variety of omics platforms, such as untargeted chemical profiling, metabolomics, elemental metal analysis as well as extracellular flux analysis to monitor changes in metabolic homeostasis. In summary, I study how chemicals that we come in contact with through living our daily life impacts our long-term health, which is extremely important, especially now in a time when air quality and pesticide use are being impacted by regulatory inaction.
What do you like most about Emory?
One of the things I most enjoy about Emory is the collaborative environment that our departments and division offer. I routinely interact with basic scientists as well as clinical researchers, and it is always refreshing to get constructive feedback and points of view in order to better get your message across to different groups of people. Additionally, teamwork is highly encouraged here, both within our laboratory team as well as within our division. This is enhanced through excellent mentoring and other activities put forth by the departments. Lastly, the campus itself is absolutely beautiful, and I love to walk around the Hahn woods and Lullwater Preserve to enjoy the outdoor air.
What is your favorite movie or TV show?
My favorite movie would have to be Seven, but my runners-up are The Crow, Short Circuit, and Across the Universe. As far as TV shows, I enjoy a variety, and I’m currently watching New Amsterdam and Chopped with my wife. I was totally addicted to The Alienist when it was on air.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I hang out with my wife, who is also a postdoc here at Emory, as well as our two cats, Mushu and Tinkerbell. My brother also lives in town, so we get together to play video games, build computers, and visit our family in Roberta GA. I also enjoy experimenting in the kitchen with new styles of food and recipes.
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