DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
INSIDE
Message from the Chair
Dear Faculty, Trainees, Staff, and Friends,
As summer settles in, I hope you’re finding time to recharge, reconnect, and enjoy the longer days. Whether you’re catching up on research, taking a well-earned vacation, or just savoring a slower pace, I want to thank each of you for your continued dedication and energy.
To celebrate the season and spend some time together, I hope you’ll join the upcoming Ice Cream Social on August 13—a chance to cool off, catch up, and enjoy a sweet treat with colleagues.
Wishing you a joyful and restful summer. See you soon!
Robert O. Wright, MD, MPH
Ethel H. Wise Chair, Department of Environmental Medicine
Co-Director, Institute for Exposomic Research
Exposome Perspectives
In his latest essay, Dr. Bob Wright reflects on a pivotal patient encounter that challenged his assumptions and reshaped his understanding of disease. Dr. Wright explores how environmental change, not genetics alone, is driving today’s health crisis. Blending personal narrative, Taoist philosophy, and scientific critique, this piece calls for a more integrated view of public health and clinical medicine—one that embraces the exposome as essential to understanding and treating disease. Subscribe Today
Stay Informed
June 2025 Faculty, Trainees, and RN Retreat
Thanks to everyone who joined the departmental retreat for faculty, trainees, and nurses on June 11. In addition to team-building activities led by Talent and Development, presentations were given by the Development team. Special thanks to Allison Devia, Hannah Choi, Andrea King-Vilaro, and Giselle Candelario for all of their work on this special day where we all enjoyed beautiful views from Battery Park.
New Study: “Forever Chemicals” Linked to Higher Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Exposure to a class of synthetic chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—often called “forever chemicals”—may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new study led by Department of Environmental Medicine faculty Dania Valvi, MD, PhD, MPH and Vishal Midya, PhD, MStat. The findings were published in eBioMedicine. Additional DEM contributors include Meizhen Yao, Elena Colicino, Dinesh Barupal, Chris Gennings, Ryan Walker. Read more.
New Study: Prenatal and Childhood Lead Exposure Linked to Faster Memory Decay in Children
A study published in Sciences Advances led by Department of Environmental Medicine researchers shows that exposure to lead during pregnancy and early childhood may accelerate the rate at which children forget information—a critical marker of memory impairment that may have implications for learning and development. DEM Faculty: Katherine Svensson, Jamil M. Lane, Chris Gennings, Robert Wright. Read more
Dr. Manasi Agrawal Named Director of Environmental Gastroenterology at Mount Sinai
The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has announced the appointment of Manasi Agrawal, MD, MS, as the inaugural Director of Environmental Gastroenterology in the Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology.
In her new role, Dr. Agrawal will expand Mount Sinai’s leadership in environmental gastroenterology through research innovation, trainee mentorship, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. A leading physician-scientist in the field, Dr. Agrawal directs multiple projects investigating how environmental toxins impact gut health—including as Principal Investigator of the groundbreaking PLANET Study (Exploring the Role of Plastics and Toxins in Intestinal Inflammation). Read more
New Study: Gut Microbiome and Food Insecurity Linked to Cognitive Impairment
A new study led in part by Mount Sinai researchers has found a compelling link between the composition of the gut microbiome and the risk of cognitive impairment in adults, underscoring the role biology and social determinants—such as food insecurity— in brain health. “Future studies investigating why cognitive problems develop in people should consider food insecurity as one possible contributing factor,” says Vishal Midya, PhD, MStat, Assistant Professor of Environmental Medicine, senior author of the study. Additional DEM contributors: Jamil Lane, Elza Rechtman, Chris Gennings. Read more.
New Study: Cardiorespiratory Effects of Wildfire Smoke Particles Can Persist for Months, Even After a Fire Has Ended
Exposure to lingering fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from wildfire smoke can have health effects up to three months afterwards, well beyond the couple of days that previous studies have identified. The exposure can occur even after the fires have ended. These findings were reported in a new study published in Epidemiology by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Yaguang Wei, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is first author. Dr. Wei is also a Department Associate in the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Read more.
Listen to Ismail Nabeel’s Latest Podcast on Happiness
In this episode of OccPod, Dr. Ismail Nabeel is joined by Dr. Yohama Caraballo-Arias, an occupational physician and expert in workplace health and well-being. She is a visiting researcher and professor at the University of Bologna, Italy, and recently published her book, “The 7 Secrets to Happiness at Work: Neuroscience for Healthy, Productive and Happy Work Life.” Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health Workshops
In May 2025, the Selikoff Centers hosted workshops for patients and community stakeholders focused on nutrition, mindfulness, and sleep. Our guest speakers delivered insightful, engaging presentations.
Upcoming Events
2025 Santiago Exposome Symposium
Integrating Environmental Exposures into Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
September 25-27, 2025 | Santiago, Chile
The Second Latin American Exposome Symposium will be held in Santiago, Chile, focusing on the theme “Integrating Environmental Exposures into Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias.”
This event will bring together leading scientists in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), Environmental Health, and Exposomics to examine how environmental exposures impact ADRD. The team from Mount Sinai participating includes Robert Wright, Sean Morrison, Manish Arora, Dinesh Barupal, Lauren Petrick, Itai Kloog, Iván Gutiérrez Avila, Mike He, Maayan Yitshak-Sade, Gary Joseph, Ismail Nabeel, and Weixin Li.
The symposium is organized by faculty from the Institute for Exposomic Research and the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (New York), the Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology at the University of Chile, the Center for Geroscience, Mental Health and Metabolism (GERO) – Chile, and the National Institute of Public Health of Mexico. Learn more.
View the departmental calendar.
Recognitions
Dr. Betty Kolod Appointed to Citywide Board on Gender and Racial Equity
We are proud to announce that Betty Kolod, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Environmental Medicine and Internal Medicine, has been selected to serve on the New York City Gender and Racial Equity Advisory Board, established under Local Law 30 in 2021. This board, created by the NYC Health Department, plays a critical role in advising the Mayor and City Council on policies that promote equity in the delivery of healthcare and hospital services across the city. The Board will meet quarterly from September 2025 to September 2027.
Dr. Kolod also received the David E. Rogers Junior Faculty Award for presenting a workshop judged to be the most outstanding among those presented at the Society of General Internal Medicine 2025 annual meeting. The workshop, titled “Learn from a Lawmaker: Lobbying Lessons from Experts,” featured mock legislative advocacy visits with real legislators and lobbyists.
We commend Dr. Kolod for her many achievements.
Welcome New Residents!
Zulfau Agwedicham, MD, MPH (Occupational Medicine)
Originally from Navrongo, Ghana, and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Dr. Agwedicham recently graduated from the UMass Chan Medical School Preventive Medicine Residency Program, where she also earned a Master of Public Health degree. Her passion for employee health and wellness led her to pursue further training in the Occupational Medicine Residency Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Agwedicham is excited to begin this next chapter and deepen her expertise in protecting and promoting the health and safety of the workforce. Her interests include addressing workplace health disparities and integrating lifestyle medicine to create healthier, more equitable work environments. She is grateful to be part of such a dedicated and inspiring medical community.
Rebekah Cesar, MD (Public Health and General Preventive Medicine)
Dr. Cesar earned her medical degree from Downstate College of Medicine in 2020 and completed her Internal Medicine residency at Westchester Medical Center in 2023. Her academic interests focus on the intersection of climate change and health, particularly how environmental changes influence infectious diseases. Outside of medicine, she enjoys baking, spending time outdoors on trails, and exploring ceramics and pottery.
Sharon Johnson, MD (Occupational Medicine)
Originally from Chicago, Dr. Johnson earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she also completed her preliminary year of internal medicine. She is thrilled to join Mount Sinai as an occupational and environmental medicine resident. Her clinical interests include workplace injury prevention, environmental health impacts, and toxic exposures. Outside of medicine, she enjoys salsa dancing, freshwater fish keeping, and learning more about interior design.
Maxwell Li, MD (Occupational Medicine)
Dr. Li is excited to join the Occupational Medicine residency at Mount Sinai after completing his preliminary year in Internal Medicine at the University of California, Riverside. With a strong interest in the intersection of clinical medicine and workplace health, Dr. Li is passionate about preventing and managing musculoskeletal injuries, promoting ergonomic solutions, and addressing mental health and wellness in occupational settings. He is particularly driven by a commitment to public health advocacy and hopes to improve work environments through thoughtful, evidence-based interventions that support both individual and community well-being.
Joseph Wendt, MD (Public Health and General Preventive Medicine)
Dr. Wendt completed his undergraduate and medical education at Indiana University, followed by a pediatric internship at Navy Medical Center San Diego. He attended the Navy Aeromedical Institute for flight surgeon training in preparation for a tour with Training Wing Four in Corpus Christi, Texas. His clinical interests include sexual and reproductive health—particularly STI prevention and treatment, access to long-acting contraception, self-managed abortion, women’s health, and fertility—as well as lifestyle medicine. His public health interests focus on governmental public health, emergency preparedness, and communication. Outside of medicine, he enjoys swimming, biking, running, hiking, reading fiction, watching prestige television, and listening to podcasts on politics and science.
IRB and Research Ethics
Developing recruitment flyers for research studies
Posting recruitment flyers in appropriate public spaces can be an effective way of recruiting subjects into research. Institutional research policy requires all study advertisements be reviewed and approved by the Mount Sinai IRB before posting. In this edition of IRB and Research Ethics we offer guidance on how to craft ads that are compliant and effective.
Below are Do’s and Don’ts for preparation of recruitment ads:
DO:
- Summarize the purpose of the research and major research procedures
- Include a sentence about what is being tested, if applicable
- Provide the length of time the study will take to complete
- The advertisement must include the word “research”
- Briefly list major eligibility or major exclusion criteria (bullets work well here)
- Describe benefits of participation in the study, if applicable (e.g., “Participants will receive a free assessment of the air quality in their home.”)
- List compensation, if any, but do not over-emphasize remuneration. You can indicate the amount (e.g., Participants will receive $25 for completion of the survey)
- List the location of the research and contact information for the investigator or research office
- Allow sufficient space at the top or bottom of the ad for the IRB approval stamp
- Feel free to include perforated tabs with study contact information at the bottom of the flyer, a QR code, or both
DO NOT:
- No underlining of text
- No bold or enlarged font for the statement regarding compensation
- Do not use exclamation points
- Do not provide study detail to the extent where the ad becomes dense and difficult to read
The IRB provides guidance on advertisements for study recruitment: See HRP-315 – WORKSHEET – Advertisements (09.22.2023).docx
Feel free to reach out to Ilene or Holly with any questions regarding your study recruitment plan and related materials: ilene.wilets@mssm.edu, holly.miller@mssm.edu
Wellness and Community
Wellness Walks
The next DEM wellness walk is scheduled for Wednesday, August 6, at 12pm, departing from East 102nd Street and Fifth Avenue (weather permitting). This is your last chance to make sure you are entered for the Spring/Summer 2025 Wellness Raffle. The 6-month raffle cycle will start again on the first Wednesday in September. A healthy lunch will be provided afterward for those who RSVP. Please reach out to Erika Molina with questions.
Junior Faculty Meetings
Hybrid Junior Faculty meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month and include a healthy lunch for in-person attendees. Last month’s session, “Conversation: Insights into IRB and GCO”—featuring former IRB Chair Ilene Wilets, PhD, and DEM Grants Manager Moneesha Malloy—shared important updates on appointment tracks, promotions, and related processes. All forms are available on the DEM J-drive in the Common Folder. For more information or to suggest future topics, please contact Sofia Pendley, PhD, MPH.
AIDE Committee
The AIDE Committee aims to reflect the Department of Environmental Medicine’s commitment to Amplifying, Inspiring, Developing, and Empowering our colleagues, trainees, patients, research study participants, and the communities we serve. All DEM faculty and staff are invited to join AIDE meetings and initiatives. For more information, contact Malika Garg, MD, MS. The next meeting is Tuesday, September 2 at 2pm.
Civic Engagement
Department members interested in learning how to translate public health research to educate decision makers and communities are invited to join the Civic Engagement and Policy Working Group. The first meeting was held in February 2025. This group explores how to share research findings and clinical expertise with local, state, and federal decision-makers; engage with environmental and public health legislation, including chemical regulations; support policies that address social and structural determinants of health; and promote academic scholarship through civic and community involvement. Contact Sarah Evans, PhD, MPH, for details about upcoming meetings.
Resources
Mount Sinai Daily is the employee communications platform for the Mount Sinai Health System. You may need to log in using your Mount Sinai email and password. Want to learn more and sign up? Click here.
Pure Scholars Portal at Mount Sinai
The Scholars Portal is a tool that enables insights into the scholarly expertise and collaborative opportunities that exist within the Mount Sinai research community and beyond. The aim is to organize scholarly products and publications by researchers. The publications list on faculty profiles will be pulled from this resource space. Click here to explore the portal and review your profile.
Department of Environmental Medicine
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