The ESPINA Study 18th Year Follow-Up: A Longitudinal Investigation of Pesticide Exposures in relation to Fertility and Hormonal Health
NIH/NIEHS R01ES030378Sep 1, 2025 - Aug 30, 2030
Role: Principal Investigator
Description: Major Goals: This 18th-year follow-up of the ESPINA study examines young adults in an agricultural region of Ecuador with high pesticide use. By analyzing pesticide exposure and reproductive biomarkers across multiple follow-ups, the project aims to understand how endocrine-disrupting pesticides influence reproductive health from adolescence through young adulthood during key developmental stages. |
A Thorny Problem: Predictors of pesticide exposure and breastmilk PFAS levels among women working in the cut rose export industry versus other types of employment in Pedro Moncayo, Pichincha Province, Ecuador
Seed Grant, Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility (CGHSR), University of Minnesota. Jul 1, 2025 - Jun 30, 2027
Role: Co-Investigator
Description: This project will pilot a survey to assess breastfeeding practices, and pesticide exposure risks among women in floriculture. Breastmilk samples will be collected and analyzed for PFAS, to identify occupational and household predictors |
Dust on the Horizon: Assessing Current and Projecting Future Health Risks From the Shrinking Salton Sea
California Air and Sea Board 24RD001Mar 1, 2025
Role: Co-Investigator
Description: Major Goals: This project aims to identify which communities are most exposed to dust from the expansion of the California Salton Sea playa and to characterize the chemical composition and health risks of exposure to playa and non-playa dust in the region. We will assess how dust exposure is likely to evolve with continued sea shrinkage and climate change, and project future health impacts. |
Irrigation channels as conduits of contamination: A study of Neonicotinoids and microbiological water quality in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador
University of California GloCal Health Fellowship Program Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025
Role: Mentor and Co-I
Description: This study aims to evaluate the presence of neonicotinoids (imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, dinotefuran, acetamiprid, and sulfoxaflor) and their transformation products in irrigation water during the rainy and dry seasons, analyzing their interactions with other contaminants and environmental factors in two irrigation systems of Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador. Funding includes fellow stipend, coursework, research funds, travel costs related to attending the NIH orientation in Bethesda and a visit to the University of California San Diego. |
Executive functions in urban Hispanic/Latino youth: exposure to mixture of arsenic and pesticides during childhood
NIH/NIEHS F31 ES035630-01Feb 1, 2024 - Jan 31, 2027
Role: Mentor
Description: This study aims to estimate the association of arsenic and insecticides (chlorpyrifos and pyrethroids) on executive function of adolescent participants (11-18 years) living in Montevideo, Uruguay as part of the Salud Ambiental Montevideo (SAM) cohort. |
Global Center on Climate Change and Water Energy Food Health Systems P20.
Fogarty International Center TW012709-01Sep 18, 2023 - Aug 30, 2026
Role: Co-Investigator
Description: This center grant, based in Jordan, brings together scientists in partnership with affected communities, local academics, and public officials to focus on capacity building and community engagement. The project includes a pilot study in the Azraq Basin to assess the feasibility of health-focused solutions to climate-related water scarcity. This pilot serves as a scalable model for climate adaptation strategies across regions. By integrating the Water-Energy-Food-Health (WEFH) nexus, the project supports vulnerable populations in making informed trade-offs that enhance resilience and improve access to sufficient, high-quality water in the face of climate change. |
Pesticide Exposure among Children under Five Years in Kampala Metropolitan Area in Uganda: Comparison between Dietary Intake and Biomonitoring Data (PEACH-U5KA)
University of California GloCal Health Fellowship Program, NIH/NIEHS Sep 1, 2023 - Feb 28, 2025
Role: Mentor
Description: This study aims to determine the correlation between environmental and biomonitoring exposure assessment to pesticides in fruits and vegetables among children under five years in the Kampala Metropolitan Area in Uganda. |
PFAS, pesticides and imaging of the liver and thyroid of young adults within the ESPINA study
Oncoustics, UCSD 102584Jun 1, 2022 - May 1, 2025
Role: Co-PI
Description: This ancillary study to the 2022 follow-up examination of the study of Secondary Pesticide Exposures among Children and Adolescents (ESPINA) aims at understanding the health effects of perfluoro alkyl substances (PFAS) and fungicides on liver steatosis, fibrosis and thyroid size in young adults. |
Cyclical alterations in neurocognitive performance and mood over two years in relation to pesticide spray seasons among adolescent and young adult participants of the ESPINA study
NIH/NIEHS 1R01ES025792-06A1May 10, 2022 - Feb 28, 2027
Role: Principal Investigator
Description: This project builds on the ESPINA study 2022 examination and proposes to assess whether pesticide spray seasons are associated with cyclical alterations in mental health symptoms and cognitive performance assessed over two years using a smartphone-based assessment platform, and to test whether pesticide exposure biomarkers are related to elevated depressive and externalizing symptoms and decreased cognitive performance. |
The 2020 ESPINA study follow-up Exam: Fungicides, Insecticides, Inflammation and Child Development
NIH/NIEHS R01ES030378Sep 1, 2020 - Jun 30, 2025
Role: Principal Investigator
Description: This project involves the 12-year follow-up of participants of the Study of Secondary Exposure among Children and Adolescents (ESPINA study). The major goals of this project are to determine the longitudinal associations of sub-clinical exposures to fungicides and insecticides with inflammatory markers (vascular, monocyte, systemic and liver) and cognition among adolescent participants living in agricultural communities in Ecuador as part of the longitudinal “Secondary Pesticide Exposures among Children and Adolescents” (ESPINA) study. |
Pesticide exposures, mental health and endocrine disruption among children growing up near pesticide spray sites (ESPINA study).
NIH/NIEHS K01ES031697Sep 1, 2020 - Aug 30, 2024
Role: Mentor
Description: This training grant within the ESPINA study is aimed at characterizing the geospatial determinants of pesticide exposure, mental health and endocrine disruption among participants living within agricultural settings in which pesticides are used. Additionally, it will aim to measure neonicotinoid insecticides in water collected at various places within these communities. |
Pesticides, Perfluorinated Compounds, and the Development of Adolescents in Agricultural Communities
Children's Health Exposure Analysis Resource - NIEHS 2018-1599Jul 1, 2019 - Dec 1, 2024
Role: Principal Investigator
Description: The goals of this project are to are to assess whether herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can affect adolescent health in outcomes including metabolomic patterns, neurobehavioral performance, mental health and body composition among participants of the ESPINA study |
Pesticide Exposures and Risks of Adverse Motor and Cognitive System Health Effects Among Latino Residents of Imperial Valley, California
CTRI Pilot Grant Program Apr 1, 2017 - Mar 31, 2018
Role: Co-Investigator |
GHI FLAGSHIP SITE: ECUADOR
GLOBAL HEALTH INSTITUTE, UCSD Jul 1, 2016 - Jun 30, 2018
Role: Principal Investigator |
The ESPINA Study Follow-up Examination in 2016: Environmental Pollutants and Child/Adolescent Development
NIH R01ES025792Apr 1, 2016 - Mar 31, 2021
Role: Principal Investigator |
Pesticides and Mental Health among Adolescents in Ecuadorian Agricultural Communities
NIH R21ES026084Sep 1, 2015 - Aug 31, 2018
Role: Principal Investigator |
Nuts and Olestra for Persistent Organic Pollutant Reduction (NO-POPs) Trial
JPB Foundation - JPB Environmental Health Program Oct 1, 2014 - Feb 28, 2018
Role: Principal Investigator |
Environmental Pollutants, Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents
FPM PILOT GRANT PROGRAM Aug 1, 2014 - Jul 31, 2016
Role: Principal Investigator |
Effects of Secondary Occupational Pesticide Exposure on Childhood Growth
NIH R36OH009402Sep 30, 2007 - May 31, 2009
Role: Principal Investigator |