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Admission Criteria
Several criteria will be considered when determining priority for MBCIF Core use by investigators meeting the requirements described above. The criteria are listed here in an approximate order of priority:

The use of new technologies that could significantly advance laboratory research within CIREEH in specific and in environmental health in general.
Interdisciplinary projects that will promote new collaborations within CIREEH and between current CIREEH members and/or non-members will be considered high priority. Non-members that may wish to collaborate with CIREEH members need not be associated with Boston University.
Young investigators who require more advanced technical training and added resources to promote their research and their careers in environmental health.
Translational projects that will have a direct impact on environmental health in a clinical setting or on the human population in general will be considered of high priority.
Support of nascent pilot projects either by CIREEH members or non-members aspiring to address scientific issues critical to CIREEH’s goals.
The development of techniques that would significantly reduce operating costs.

Requests by faculty or postdoctoral fellows for training in specific molecular biology or cellular imaging techniques required for their work will be prioritized essentially according to the same criteria, although junior faculty will receive a higher priority than senior faculty who may have other resources at their disposal.

Current Core Members
Gloria V. Callard, PhD, is Professor of Biology at Boston University. Her research interests include neuroendocrinology, reproductive and developmental endocrinology, estrogen biosynthesis and actions, and gene regulation. She is currently investigating the actions of environmental estrogens and other xenobiotics that disrupt normal endocrine and neuroendocrine mechanisms of reproduction and which affect brain development. Her laboratory uses a wide range of animal models from fish to mammals to identify estrogen-sensitive control points, target genes, and physiological processes during spermatogenesis. Dr. Callard is a Principal Investigator in BU’s Superfund Research Program, collaborates with Drs. Sherr and Schlezinger, and has published 152 peer-reviewed publications. She is a Center Member focusing on lifespan developmental research and is a founding member of the MBCIFC. To learn more about Dr. Callard's work, look here.

Wellington V. Cardoso, MD, PhD, is Associate Professor of Medicine and Pathology at BUSM. His research interests include: control of lung epithelial morphogenesis and differentiation by retinoids and fibroblast growth factors, mechanisms of primary lung bud induction and cell fate, FGF-heparin sulfate interactions in epithelial morphogenesis, and the role of the AhR in and the effects of environmental AhR ligands on lung development (in collaboration with Drs. Sherr and Schlezinger). His current research is focused on the mechanisms that regulate the initial stages of embryonic lung development. His work combines classical cell and organ culture techniques with gene discovery tools, including DNA microarrays, computational analyses, large scale in situ hybridization, and functional mouse genetics. Dr. Cardoso has 44 peer-reviewed publications. He contributes to the molecular toxicology and lifespan developmental research focus of CIREEH as a Center Member and is a founding member of the MBCIFC. To learn more about Dr. Cardoso's work, look here.

Jennifer J. Schlezinger, PhD, is Assistant Professor of EH at BUSPH. Her studies focus on the mechanisms by which environmental contaminants impair the immune system, with particular emphasis on the effects of these contaminants on B cells developing in the bone marrow. Dr. Schlezinger’s studies investigate the role of two receptors, the AhR and the peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPAR)(proteins that are activated by endogenous prostaglandins, anti-diabetic drugs, and environmental phthalates), in the death of bone marrow B lymphocytes and, in translational studies, in the growth inhibition of human cancers. She uses a variety of biochemical and molecular technologies to map intracellular signaling pathways activated in developing lymphocytes by environmental chemicals. She is a Principal Investigator in BU’s Superfund Research Program. She also studies the effects of complex mixtures on the immune system (in collaboration with Dr. Webster), the effects of environmental AhR ligands on brain development (in collaboration with Drs. Killiany, White, and Callard) and on lung development (in collaboration with Drs. Cardoso and Sherr), and the potential for use of a biologic assay for assessment of human AhR agonist exposure (in collaboration with Drs. McClean and Sherr). Dr. Schlezinger has over 25 peer-reviewed publications. She is Associate Director of the MBCIFC. To learn more about Dr. Schlezinger's work, look here.

David H. Sherr, PhD, is Professor of Environmental Health at BUSPH and Professor of Pathology at BUSM. Since 1993, David Sherr’s laboratory has conducted research on how common environmental pollutants mimic immunosuppressive drugs, compromising immune responses and altering immune cell development, using cutting edge technologies including molecular biology, cellular biology, and advanced imaging techniques. Dr. Sherr also conducts studies related to the molecular mechanisms through which environmental chemicals initiate and maintain breast cancer. These studies focus on the role of an environmental chemical receptor, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in deregulated tumor cell growth and resistance to death signals. A third area of investigation centers on the use of molecular and computational technologies to identify AhR-related proteins (e.g. AhR and CYP1B1) for vaccination against several types of cancer. Dr. Sherr is a member of the BUSM Immunology Training Program, the Amyloid Treatment and Research Program, the Hematology/Oncology Training Program, and the Women’s Health Interdisciplinary Research Center and has over 85 peer-reviewed publications. To learn more about Dr. Sherr's work, look here.

Jean M. van Seventer, VMD, is Associate Professor of EH at BUSPH. Dr. van Seventer’s research is concentrated on characterizing the molecular mechanisms by which adaptive immunity is regulated. Her studies primarily focus on the role of type I interferons (IFNs) in regulating dendritic cell and T cell function, through effects on IFN-inducing cytokines, interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-23, IL-27 and IL-18. This translational research provides insight into the pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, and also contributes to new avenues of vaccine development. Her work on cytokine storms has important implications for the genesis and treatment of toxic shock induced by exposure to NIAID Category A pathogens (i.e. agents with bioterrorism potential). Dr. van Seventer collaborates with Dr. Sherr on vaccine development and is a founding member of the MBCIFC.