# Inequality and Health-Risk Behavior: Investigating Genome-Environment Interplay

> **NIH NIH K01** · GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $136,134

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Significant advances in genomics knowledge reveal the importance of gene-environment interplay and epigenetic mechanisms
in health outcomes. Yet, considerable knowledge gaps remain because few investigators have sufficient training in both
genomics and social science to confront the challenges and complexities of conducting rigorous gene-environment (G-E)
research. Recognizing the importance of these gaps, both the NIH and NICHD's Population Dynamics Branch have
highlighted gene-environment health research as a strategic priority. I am seeking a Population Research Scientist
Development (K01) Award to procure essential career development training in a new discipline (genomics) in order to
integrate gene-environment-epigenome interplay into my research linking social disadvantage to health-risk behaviors through
psychosocial schemas. My prior social science training in social inequality, social psychology, life course and development, and
risky behavior as well as my quantitative skills provide a strong sociological foundation. The proposed training plan would
expand on this foundation by providing essential training in genomics under the supervision of an excellent team of mentors
and advisors with complementary expertise. Formal coursework in genetics, statistical genetics, and epigenetics as well as legal,
ethical, and social issues in human genetics; directed study under my mentors; and workshops will prepare me for a mentored
research project exploring how social adversity interacts with genetic variation and `gets onto the genome' to influence
psychosocial schemas and health-risk behaviors. My mentors, public-health geneticist Bruce Weir and social geneticist Jason
Boardman will supervise all aspects of my training, research, and scholarly development, and my advisors, Drs. Edward Barker
and Esther Walton, will provide me with specialized social epigenetic knowledge, methodological skills, and guidance for
working with the ALSPAC data resource. This integrative training program will be applied in projects exploring (1) the role of
gene-(social) environment interplay on the linkages between social adversity, `riskogenic' psychosocial orientations, and health-
risk behaviors from a developmental perspective [e.g., (polygenic)G x E(adversity)], (2) DNA methylation (DNAm) as a
biological pathway through which social adversity calibrates riskogenic psychosocial orientations, and (3) tissue specificity in
DNAm patterns. I will utilize the ALSPAC data, a population-based panel study of mother-child pairs from the former county
of Avon followed from gestation to child age 23. These data contain not only extensive measures of social and physical
environments, psychological orientations, health behaviors and health outcomes, but also genotype data and repeated
measures of DNAm to assess changes over time. Overall this award will provide me with the protected time and mentorship
to (1) gain expertise in genetics, statistical ge...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9998679
- **Project number:** 5K01HD094999-04
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Callie Burt
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $136,134
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-20 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9998679

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9998679, Inequality and Health-Risk Behavior: Investigating Genome-Environment Interplay (5K01HD094999-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9998679. Licensed CC0.

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