# Multi-generational Effects of Maternal Engineered Nano-Material Inhalation Exposure on Microvascular and Reproductive Health Outcomes

> **NIH ALLCDC K01** · WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $108,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Elizabeth Bowdridge, Ph.D., is a reproductive toxicologist whose overarching career goal is to establish a
successful laboratory focused on the effects of occupational and environmental factors on microvascular
adaptations during gestation that ultimately impact fetal outcomes. Her proposed project combines an
occupationally relevant inhalation exposure model during gestation and epigenetic analysis of offspring, which
will establish the impact of hormones and vascular adaptations that are critical for healthy reproductive
outcomes. Acquiring this knowledge is a critical step for ensuring optimal maternal and fetal health.
 Career Development Plan: Dr. Bowdridge is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of
Physiology and Pharmacology at West Virginia University (WVU). The proposed career development plan will
build upon her previous training with four training goals to enhance her trajectory toward becoming an
independent investigator: 1) Acquire advanced training in placental pathologies and identification of
nanomaterials using techniques such as FESEM and TEM; 2) Broaden my knowledge of how the dose of
specific toxicants are applicable in an occupational setting and ways in which these affect critical windows of
embryonic and fetal developmental, oxidant formation, and epigenetics; 3) Increase technical expertise in
occupational exposure relevance, dose deposition and epigenetic analysis across generations; 4) Develop
professional skills in grant writing, research and laboratory leadership, statistical analysis, and research ethics.
Mentors/environment: Dr. Bowdridge and her primary mentor, Dr. Timothy Nurkiewicz, Ph.D., have
assembled a strong team of co-mentors and advisors to guide her through the proposed training and research
activities. The proposed career development plan utilizes the intellectual, microscopy, free radical biology, and
genomics resources available through WVU and at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
The WVU Genomics and Bioinformatics cores provide centralized genomic and biostatistical analysis training
to investigators at WVU and other universities across WV. As an institution WVU is committed to supporting
junior faculty members through internal grants, administrative support and structured opportunities for faculty
networking and education.
Research: Adverse reproductive outcomes, such as miscarriages, are common in pregnant women working in
occupational settings. These women are exposed to ENM such as, nano-titanium dioxide (nano-TIO2) via
inhalation. One likely, but uninvestigated, way that ENM may mediate these poor outcomes in an occupational
setting is by decreasing hormones critical pregnancy hormones such as estradiol (E2). This proposal is the first
step in linking E2 and the peptide Kiss with vascular dysfunction and adverse reproductive outcomes due to
occupationally relevant maternal nano-TiO2 inhalation exposure. Aim 1 identifies the roles of E2 and Kiss...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10831078
- **Project number:** 5K01OH012320-03
- **Recipient organization:** WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Elizabeth Compton Bowdridge
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $108,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10831078

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10831078, Multi-generational Effects of Maternal Engineered Nano-Material Inhalation Exposure on Microvascular and Reproductive Health Outcomes (5K01OH012320-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10831078. Licensed CC0.

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