Disseminated coccidioidomycosis among pediatric patients in the San Joaquin Valley (2018; role: Co-I)
This is a retrospective chart review of pediatric patients (ages 0 to 21) who were treated at Valley Children's Hospital for disseminated coccidioidomycosis (i.e., Valley fever). The purpose of the project is to investigate the epidemiology and risk factors for disseminated disease. The project is in collaboration with physicians at Valley Children's Hospital.
Breathe-Wellbeing, Environment, Lifestyle and Lung Function (B-WELL-Mom) Study (2015 – 2021, role: collaborator)
The B-WELL-Mom Study enrolls pregnant women before 14 weeks of gestation. It is a multicenter prospective cohort study, which aims to increase understanding of factors that predict poor asthma control during pregnancy, and that add to our knowledge of the basic immunology of pregnancy. Asthma is a common chronic disease. It affects about 9 out of 100 pregnant women and is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We know that one-third of all pregnant women with asthma experience worsening symptoms throughout pregnancy, while one-third improve. However, the reason for this change is not known. This study funeded by NICHD (PI: Pauline Mendola. For more information, please visit http://www.b-well-mom.org.
Incidence of pediatric antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis in the San Joaquin Valley (2019, role: consultant)
ANCA-associated vasculitis is a rare but serious autoimmune condition characterized by self-destruction of the small blood vessels. However, it's incidence and risk factors are not well-understood, especially in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV). This project aims to determine the incidence of ANCA-associated vasculistis in the SJV and explore risk factors associated with the condition. A retrospective chart review will be conducted for the SJV, and hospital discharge/emergency department visits data will be used to explore how SJV is different form the rest of California with respect to ANCA-associated vasculitis. This project is conducted in collaboration with Valley Children's Hospital.
Exploring congenital syphilis in the San Joaquin Valley (2020 - 2022, role: consultant)
In collaboration with physicians from UCSF Fresno, this project explores factors contributing to the recent sharp increase in congenital syphillis in the San Joaquin Valley.
Ambient temperature and premature delivery in the San Joaquin Valley (2019 - 2020, role: Co-PI)
In collaboration with faculty and physicians at UCSF Fresno, this retrospective study investigates the effects of temperature changes on the risk of preterm delivery among pregnancies in the San Joaquin Valley. The project is funded by the Central California Faculty Medical Group and is conducted in collaboration with UCSF Fresno.
Air pollution and neurodevelopment (2018 – 2019)
This study aims to examine whether prenatal and early-life exposures to ambient air pollution affects neurodevelopmental outcomes in early childhood. The study uses data from the Upstate KIDS study (PI: Edwina Yeung from NICHD), a cohort study funded by NICHD to look at the impact of infertility treatment on growth and development. Neurodevelopmental outcomes are assessed using a standardized, well-validated assessment called the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. To achieve the study aim, I collaborate with staff and researchers from the New York Department of Health and University at Albany to geocode (assigning latitude and longitude) participants from the Upstate KIDS cohort (n~5,000), and estimate their air pollution exposures using data from the EPA air monitor network. This study will contribute to the limited literature on the potential impact of prenatal and early life exposure to air pollution and neurodevelopment.
Air Quality and Reproductive Health (2015 – 2018)
AQRH aims to investigate the relationship between exposures to various air quality parameters and the risk of adverse reproductive health outcomes across the US. The study links local environmental data (e.g. air pollution and meteorological parameters) to participants from three existing cohort studies at the Division of Intramural Population Health Research at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: the Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment (LIFE) Study, the Consortium on Safe Labor, and the Consecutive Pregnancy Study. The study is led by Dr. Pauline Mendola from NICHD.
Associations between ambient air pollution and adverse birth outcomes in Florida (2013-2015)
The project is a retrospective cohort study aimed to study the effects of air pollution during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes among all births occurring in the state of Florida from 2000-2010. Air pollution exposures was assessed at the mothers’ residential addresses during pregnancy using the Bayesian Hierarchical Model developed by the USEPA. Adverse birth outcomes such as preterm delivery, low birthweight, gestational complications, and birth defects were obtained from birth certificates. This study was led by Dr. Xiaohui Xu, who is now at Texas A&M.