A5073500326- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Climate Change and Health Impacts
- Air Quality Monitoring and Forecasting
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Environmental Justice and Health Disparities
- Noise Effects and Management
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Groundwater flow and contamination studies
- Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols
- Dental Research and COVID-19
- Groundwater and Isotope Geochemistry
- Risk and Safety Analysis
- Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Emergency and Acute Care Studies
- Disaster Response and Management
- Injury Epidemiology and Prevention
- COVID-19 diagnosis using AI
- Antibiotics Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy
- Vehicle emissions and performance
Rice University
2014-2024
Houston Health and Human Services Department
2013-2024
University of California, Davis
2024
Memorial Hermann
2024
Harvard University
2024
Texas Children's Hospital
2024
Health Foundation
2024
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
2019
Faculty (United Kingdom)
2016
New York City Fire Department
2013
Background— Evidence of an association between the exposure to air pollution and overall cardiovascular morbidity mortality is increasingly found in literature. However, results from studies acute risk out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) are inconsistent for fine particulate matter, and, although pathophysiological evidence indicates a plausible link OHCA ozone, none has been reported. Approximately 300 000 persons United States experience each year, which >90% die. Understanding...
Abstract As clinical testing declines, wastewater monitoring can provide crucial surveillance on the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variant concerns (VoCs) in communities. In this paper we present QuaID, a novel bioinformatics tool for VoC detection based quasi-unique mutations. The benefits QuaID are three-fold: (i) provides up to 3-week earlier detection, (ii) accurate (>95% precision simulated benchmarks), and (iii) leverages all mutational signatures (including insertions & deletions).
Abstract Wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 has been suggested as an epidemiological indicator of community infection dynamics and disease prevalence. We report wastewater viral RNA levels in a major metropolis serving over 3.6 million people geographically spread 39 distinct sampling sites. Viral were followed weekly 22 weeks, both before, during, after surge cases, simultaneously by two independent laboratories. found strong predictive trends the nasal positivity rate two-weeks advance....
Abstract A new hydrogeologic database, the HGDB, was developed from a national survey of National Water Well Association (NWWA) members. The database contains general information 400 field site investigations across country and detailed statistical summaries five ground‐water parameters: hydraulic conductivity, seepage velocity, gradient, saturated thickness, depth to top aquifer. HGDB verify expand distributions used in Monte Carlo model by EPA for land disposal regulation ( Federal...
Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater surveillance has emerged as a powerful tool used by public health authorities to track SARS-CoV-2 infections in communities. In May 2020, Houston Health Department began working with coalition municipal and academic partners develop monitoring reporting system for city Houston, Texas. Data collected from are integrated other data communicated through different channels local general public. This information is shape policies inform actions...
Abstract Background From 2006 to 2011, the City of Houston received nearly 200 community complaints about air pollution coming from some metal recycling facilities. The investigation by Health Department (HHD) found that while operating within legal limits, emissions facilities use torch cutting, a technique generating aerosols, may increase health risks for neighboring residents. Choosing collaborative problem solving over legislative rulemaking, HHD reached out University Texas Science...
Hydrological model demonstrated a reduction in wastewater travel time by more than 60% when using novel metric for placement of upstream samplers within large sewershed, thus reducing SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA degradation.
Evidence indicates that asthma attacks can be triggered by exposure to ambient air pollutants, however, detailed pollution information is missing from action plans. Asthma commonly associated with four criteria pollutants standards derived the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Since multiple trigger and risks depend upon city-specific mixtures of there lack specific guidance reduce exposure. Until multi-pollutant statistical modeling fully addresses this gap, some on pollutant...
Abstract Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide insights learned from disaster research response (DR2) efforts following Hurricane Harvey in 2017 launch DR2 activities the Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) fire Deer Park, Texas, 2019. Methods: A multidisciplinary group academic, community, and government partners launched a myriad activities. Results: focused on enhancing environmental health literacy around clean-up efforts, measuring contaminants soil water impacted...
Viruses of concern for quantitative wastewater monitoring are usually selected as a result an outbreak and subsequent detection in wastewater. In addition, targeted metagenomics could proactively be used widespread identification sequencing viruses when initial screening tool. To evaluate the utility screening, we ViroCap, panel probes designed to target all known vertebrate viruses. Untreated was collected from treatment plants (WWTPs) building-level manholes associated with vulnerable...
Estimates of emissions for processes and point sources at petroleum refineries chemical plants provide the foundation many other environmental evaluations policy decisions. The most commonly used method, based on emission factors, results in unreliable estimates. More information regarding actual within a facility is necessary to improving factors prioritizing which need improvement. Identification both perform poorly introduce largest error needed such prioritization. To address this need,...
Abstract Wastewater surveillance has proven a cost-effective key public health tool to understand wide range of community diseases and been strong source information on levels spread for departments throughout the SARS- CoV-2 pandemic. Studies spanning globe demonstrate association between virus observed in wastewater quality clinical case population served by sewershed. Few these studies incorporate temporal dependence present sampling over time, which can lead estimation issues turn impact...
Abstract Wastewater surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases may provide early warning outbreaks and identify areas to target for immunization. To advance wastewater monitoring measles, mumps, rubella viruses, we developed validated a multiplexed RT-ddPCR assay the detection their RNA. Because measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is an attenuated live virus vaccine, also that distinguishes between wild-type strains measles in it using sample collected from facility with active outbreak....
Abstract Building on the success of initiatives put forth during COVID-19 pandemic response, US health officials are expanding wastewater surveillance programs to track other target pathogens and diseases public interest. The Houston Health Department in Houston, Texas, USA, conducted a hypothesis-generating study whereby infectious disease subject matter experts suggested potential targets. This addressed 2 criteria recommended by National Academies Sciences, Engineering, Medicine for...
Background: Exposures to environmental contaminants can be influenced by social determinants of health. As a result, persons living in socially disadvantaged communities may experience disproportionate health risks from exposures. Mixed methods research used understand community-level and individual-level exposures chemical nonchemical stressors contributing disparities. Furthermore, community-based participatory (CBPR) approaches lead more effective interventions. Objectives: We applied...
Primary liver cancer is a significant cause of cancer-related death in both the United States and world at large. Hepatocellular carcinoma comprises 90% these primary cancers has numerous known etiologies. Evaluation identified etiologies other traditional risk factors cannot explain high incidence rates hepatocellular Texas. Texas home to second largest petrochemical industry agricultural nation; industrial activity exposure pathogenic chemicals have never been assessed as potential links...