SWEHSC Research Summaries

The International Society of Exposure Science (ISES) and the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) held their joint conference from August 17-20, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. ISES and ISEE provide opportunities for career development, exchanges of innovative research and ideas, and networking opportunities for exposure scientists and environmental epidemiologists worldwide. This conference featured a women’s networking event, multiple symposia showcasing research, poster sessions, and flash talks to encourage conversation and collaboration.

Auto repair shops employ approximately 1% of the U.S. labor force. Workers in this industry are routinely exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are gases emitted from certain solids or liquids found in many products and processes. Exposure to VOCs is often associated with irreversible health effects, including asthma, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and cognitive and neurological symptoms. Despite these risks, VOC exposure studies are quite sparse.

Working with members of the Hopi Tribe, this project recruited 76 households throughout Hopi lands and conducted chemical analyses to assess arsenic levels in various water sources at two different time points. The team also administered questionnaires for a more comprehensive understanding of participants’ usual food intake.

This summer, the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center (SWEHSC) Community Engagement Core (CEC) hosted four summer programs and facilitated one designed to introduce students from middle school through community college to environmental health, research, grant writing, and professional development. Each program offers a unique hands-on experience designed to encourage students to enter STEM and environmental health areas of study at four-year universities. Below are highlights from each of the summer programs, showcasing their activities, projects, photos, and meaningful memories from the students. 

Recently published results from a research study by Cedar Mitchell, PhD, Kate Ellingson, PhD, Jeff Burgess, MD, MPH, MS, and others, sought to assess the differences in blood concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) among a range of frontline workers in Arizona. The findings reveal that, compared to other essential workers, firefighters have higher concentrations of certain PFAS, and healthcare workers have more frequent detection of other PFAS, in their blood.

A recent study by SWEHSC member Mónica D. Ramírez-Andreotta, PhD with Dr. Aminata Kilungo, PhD, explored how drinking water quality, community perceptions, and socioeconomic factors affect metalloid exposure and contribute to vulnerability. The study integrated the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) framework for a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding water quality, access, and public health. The study found that many residents of Naco and Nogales rated their water around 7 out of 10, often considering it unsafe to drink. As a result, many rely on bottled water, especially since they also reported water shortages in the past month. This study highlights factors such as income, education, housing conditions, and employment status influence how individuals perceive water quality and affect their behaviors, including choosing bottled water or avoiding tap water.

SWEHSC had the pleasure of hosting a “What’s Brewing in Your Lab” session featuring Dr. Chris Lim and his students from the Health & Urban Modeling (HUM) Lab, who shared their impactful environmental research. A total of 9 students presented on a diverse range of topics, including air pollution, U.S. infrastructure, healthcare accessibility, and playground shade structures.

Investigators at the Zuckerman College of Public Health led a study that found negative mental health conditions among women firefighters may reduce levels of key hormone associated with ovarian reserve

A recent study by Nathan Cherrington, PhD, examined the impact of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) on hepatocyte hopping, a critical process in the liver that aids in filtering fluids and waste. His findings revealed that inducing NASH in rodent animal models disrupts the function of transporters involved in this process. This research underscores the significance of understanding the mechanisms underlying NASH and their influence on drug metabolism and disposition.