Exposomics Research Accelerator

PIs: Maya Nadimpalli , Terry Hartman, Doug Walker, Xin Hu, and Donghai Liang

Ultra-processed foods make up more than 50% of the total calories consumed by U.S. adults and have been increasingly linked to diabetes, early-onset colorectal cancer, and other chronic diseases that affect U.S. adults. Yet, scientists still lack reliable ways to measure these foods in people’s diets to understand how they harm health. 

This project fills these gaps by developing new tools to measure ultra-processed food intake and by identifying gut microbiome changes associated with high consumption of these foods. By clarifying how ultra-processed foods affect gut bacteria that promote inflammation, this research will generate practical evidence that can inform future dietary guidelines and support policies designed to reduce chronic diseases tied to the U.S. food environment.

PIs: Lauren McCullough, Jeremy Sarnat, Doug Walker 

Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, even though they are diagnosed less often. One reason may be that environmental exposures—such as air pollution, chemicals, and neighborhood stressors—affect how tumors develop and respond to treatment. This project studies how environmental exposures are reflected in both blood and breast tumor tissue among women receiving care at Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute.

Project Aims:

1. Assess tissue-specific and treatment-related determinants of the internal exposome.
2. Characterize the external exposome and integrate with internal biomarkers and tumor features. 

PIs: Xiangqin Cui, Steve Qin, Howard Chang, Stefanie Ebelt, and Jennifer Weil

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the leading genetic cause of end-stage kidney disease worldwide. While the disease is genetically determined, its rate of progression is highly variable and susceptible to environmental influences. By identifying actionable environmental factors like air and water pollutant exposures, this research paves the way for accessible, non-pharmacological interventions to improve the health of millions ADPKD patients and empowering patients in long-term disease management.

Project Aims:

1. Identify and prioritize residential environmental exposures associated with accelerated ADPKD progression.
2. Nominate candidate serum metabolites and/or biomarkers linking prioritized exposures to ADPKD outcomes.
3. Establish VA regulatory and data-access infrastructure to 
   enable future confirmatory larger studies in the VA ADPKD cohort

PIs: Stephanie Eick, Dana Barr, Melanie Pearson

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS or “forever chemicals”) are long‑lasting man‑made chemicals that have contaminated drinking water and other parts of the environment, especially in some North Georgia communities, where residents have high PFAS levels relative to the larger U.S. population. Because PFAS stay in the body for many years and are linked to serious health problems, many affected residents have asked whether there is any safe way to lower their levels. 

This pilot study, tests whether an existing, commonly used medication can help people remove PFAS from their bodies. If successful, the results could provide the first evidence‑based medical option to reduce PFAS already stored in the body, offering real hope to highly exposed communities and potentially millions of people worldwide who are living with long‑term PFAS exposure. 

Read more about this study