Research Projects

Epigenetic age is an estimate of the biological age of a given tissue or organ based on the levels of methylation at specific sites. When an individual’s epigenetic age is higher than their chronological age, they are said to be experiencing epigenetic age acceleration (EAA). This type of accelerated aging, which can be measured with ‘epigenetic clocks’ based on DNA methylation, has been associated with several adverse health outcomes, including cancer. However, it is still unclear what the causes and consequences of EAA in cancer are. The purpose of this study is to determine the clinical and molecular correlates of EAA in cancer by performing multi’omic profiling on cancer and normal tissues.

Air pollution is increasingly concerning due to an escalating number of catastrophic wildfires. However, what remains unclear is how air pollution is driving the development of lung cancer. As such, there is an urgent need to identify which pollutants are driving lung cancer and the mechanisms by which they are doing so. This project aims to identify specific pollutants, especially those that emerge as a result of climate change, that are associated with the incidence of lung cancer subtypes. We will also develop new methods to determine pollution exposure in lung samples.

Air pollution is an emerging risk factor for lung cancer and its recurrence: high PM2.5 and wildfire smoke exposures are associated with reduced survival and reduced lung function following lung cancer surgical resection. Air pollution is increasingly concerning due to ongoing indoor wood burning and an escalating number of catastrophic wildfires. Emitted wood smoke (WS) from wildfires can travel miles and impact individuals across North America. As such, there is an urgent need to understand the adverse effects of WS and develop approaches to mitigate the effects of WS to prevent lung cancer and its recurrence. This project involves performing controlled wood smoke exposure experiments on lung cells and multi-omic profiling to identify disrupted genes and pathways. Particular arms of the study will also include molecular interventions to study if the effects of WS can be mitigated.