Laboratory Facilities and Research Groups

Air Polution Laboratory
Social Ecology I Room 134, 340B

Rufus Edwards, Ph.D. - My research focuses on air pollution in both the developing and developed world. My work in the developed world has focused on particulate (PM 2.5) and VOC personal exposures in 7 European Urban Environments (Helsinki, Athens, Basel, Prague, Milan, Grenoble, Oxford) as part of the EXPOLIS collaboration. In the developing world my interests are on improvements in the health of communities exposed to high indoor air pollutant levels as a result of burning solid fuels. A major focus of these studies are the co-benefits that may be realized for health, climate and energy use through improvements in fuel use. In addition over the last few years I have been part of a team to develop economical particle monitors for use for health surveys in the developing world.


Environmental Geology & Geographic Info. Systems Lab.
Social Ecology I Room 134

The mission of the Environmental Geology & Geographic Information Systems Laboratory is to advance the education of students and to advance the science of the field. To achieve this mission, the lab provides a physical and social setting that encourages a stronger understanding of the relationships among natural, built, and policy environments with special consideration to the field of geology.


Environmental Health Science Lab./Ultra Clean Lab.
Social Ecology I Room 138, 340A

The Environmental Health Science Laboratories under the direction of Professor Jonathon E. Ericson, are developing a tooth enamel biomarker for assessment of heavy metal exposure during prenatal and early postnatal development. We are focused on predicting the incidence of ADHD and hyperactive behaviors of children doe to manganese exposure controlling for lead exposure, calcium and iron deficiencies. Our most recent work indicates a strong multiple correlation of manganese exposure during the 20th gestational week with six measures of impulsivity and hyperactive behaviors of children 3, 4, and 6 years of age. Additionally, we have used a rat model to demonstrate that brain Mn in pups undergoes a 4-fold increase when dams are exposed to Mn-rich aerosols during the third trimester. Graduate Student Tony Chan will be examining the role of genetic susceptibility in controlling Mn metabolism for dissertation research. Graduate Student Rinderknecht is continuing to advance the study of brain dysfunction from relationships of Mn exposure and methamphetamines in a rat model for her dissertation.

The following articles represent our group interests in this area:

1. J.E. Ericson, A. Rinderkneckt, M.T. Kleinman, E.J. Gonzalez, and F. M.Crinella. Measurement of Manganese in Histological Enamel Cross-sections: Toward a Tooth Manganese Biomarker. Environmental Research, Section A 86, 46-50 (2001).
2. J.E. Ericson. Enamel Lead Biomarker for Prenatal Exposure Assessment. Environmental Research, Section A87, 136-140 (2001).
3. J.E. Ericson, F.M. Crinella, K.A. Clarke-Stewart, V.D. Allhusen, T. Chan, R.T. Robertson. Prenatal manganese absorption in the 20th gestational week linked to behavioral disinhibition at three to six years of age. (Submitted Sept. 2004, Neurology and Teratology.)
4. Rinderknecht, M.T. Kleinman, J.E. Ericson (corresponding author). Pb Enamel Biomarker: Deposition of pre- and post-natal Pb Isotope Injection in Restricted Time Points Along Rat Enamel Transects. (Submitted to Environmental Research, 8/2004.)
5. J.E. Ericson, H. Shirahata, J. Kim. Mobilization of Heavy Metals During Osteoporosis: An Animal Model Simulating Microgravity. (In preparation for Environmental Health Perspectives.)

The Environmental Health Laboratory has continued to study soil lead in urban environments to understand exposure of children to lead deposited in urban soils. The Lab has undertaken the CDC-EPA funded Tijuana Childhood Lead Study 1998-2001, the Pacoima Soil Study and currently undertaking a study in South Central Los Angeles. These studies are providing critical data for the setting of the industrial structures supporting the State of California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. This area of research cross-cuts into public policy.

The following articles represent our group interests in this area:

1. J.E. Ericson, H. Shirahata, J. Kim. Mobilization of Heavy Metals During Osteoporosis: An Animal Model Simulating Microgravity. (In preparation for Environmental Health Perspectives.)
2. Rinderknecht, M.T. Kleinman, J.E. Ericson (corresponding editor). Pb Enamel Biomarker: Deposition of Pre- and Post-Natal Pb Isotope Injection in Reconstructed Time Points Along Rat Enamel. Environmental Research (submitted 7/04).
3. J.E. Ericson and E.J. Gonzalez. Hierarchical Sampling of Multiple Strata: An Innovative Technique in Exposure Characterization. Environmental Research, 92, 221-231. (2003)
4. R. Lejano & J.E. Ericson (corresponding author). Enduring Tragedy of the Commons: Soil Bound Lead and the Anachronicity of Risk. (Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, in press).
5. J.E. Ericson, F.M. Crinella, K.A. Clarke-Stewart, V.D. Allhusen, T. Chan, R.T. Robertson. Prenatal manganese absorption in the 20th gestational week linked to behavioral disinhibition at three to six years of age. (Submitted Aug. 2004, American Journal of Public Health.)
6. J.E. Ericson, D.B. Baker, P.G.Pham, E. Gonzalez, H. Yang, M. Vasquez, J. Rubio Soto. Prevalence and Sources of Childhood Lead Exposure in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. (Submitted May 2004 to Environmental Health Perspectives.)

Graduate Student Patrick Pham is currently using the Laboratory facilities to study radon and lead emissions from a local power plant for his dissertation.

The following article represents our research in this area:

1. J. E. Ericson & P.G. Pham. High Radon Levels in Combustion Stream of a Natural Gas Incinerator. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 66:59-63 (2001).

This research group has received over $800,000 in funded research and contracts in the last five years.


Marine Biotechnology Laboratory
Social Ecology II Room 1376

Professor Sunny Jiang directs the Marine Biotechnology laboratory. She is also a member of campus-wide Center for Virus Research. Students and professional researchers in Professor Jiang's group focus on understanding the fate and effects of microbial pollutants on coastal systems, and the linkages between water quality and the human health outcomes. Following articles represent their group interests in this area:

• Jiang, S. C., W. Chu. 2004. PCR detection of pathogenic viruses in southern California urban rivers. Journal of Applied Microbiology.97: 17-28.
• Turbow, D., T. Lin, S. Jiang. 2004. Impacts of beach closure events on perception of swimming-related health risk in Orange County, California. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 48: 312-136
• Turbow, D., N. Osgood, S. Jiang. 2003 Evaluation of recreational health risk in coastal waters based on enterococcus densities and bathing patterns. Environmental Health Perspectives. 111: 598-603

The other area of her group research interest is to understand the ecology of bacterial and viral interaction in aquatic environment. Following articles represent their research in this area:

• Jiang, S., G. Steward, R. Jellison, W. Chu, S. Choi. 2004. Abundance, Distribution and Diversity of Viruses in Alkaline, Hypersaline, Mono Lake, California. Microbial Ecology, Featured on the cover of January issue of Microbial Ecology. 47: 9-17
• Jiang, S., W. Fu, W. Chu, J. Fuhrman. 2003 The vertical distribution and diversity of marine bacteriophage at a station off southern California. Microbial Ecology.45:399-410

Research in Professor Jiang?s lab is well funded by extramural agencies including the National Science Foundation; Water and Environmental Research Foundation; National Water Research Institute and Center for Water Resources. Her group has received a total of over 1.5 million dollars of funding support in the past five years.


Public Health Microbiology and Ecology Laboratory
Social Ecology II, Room 1360
Program in Industrial Ecology
MPAA Room 325

"Professor Dele Ogunseitan directs the public health microbiology and ecology laboratory as well as the Program in Industrial Ecology. Students and professional researchers in Professor Ogunseitan's group focus on understanding the fate and effects of industrial pollutants on environmental systems, and the linkages between environmental quality and the burden of diseases. One favored strategy is to discover molecular markers that evolved in diverse microorganisms inhabiting polluted environment, and whose derivatives mediate human response to toxic pollutants. Researchers also investigate the interdisciplinary dimensions of alternative materials that present less pollution problems. Research in Professor Ogunseitan is currently funded by the National Science Foundation's Biocomplexity Initiative; the UC Toxic Substances Research and teaching Program; The University of Southern California Sea Grant Program; The Center for Urban Water Research; and the Program in Industrial Ecology."


Trandisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center
Social Ecology I Room 263

The UCI Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center (UCI-TTURC) is one of seven centers in a national network funded jointly by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Cancer Institute in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Its purpose is to integrate basic research in the biology of nicotine addiction with social and policy research.


Urban Water Research Center
Social Ecology I Room 254

The Urban Water Research Center's (UWRC) mission is to advance the understanding of the distinct characteristics of the urban water environment in order to assist people and institutions in their effort to promote health, enhance the efficient use of water resources, and protect environmental values.

The UWRC links the faculty in four departments at UCI: Civil & Environmental Engineering; Earth Systems Sciences; Environmental Health, Science, and Policy; and Planning, Policy and Design. Working together they can effectively address the multitude of interdisciplinary water problems that people are facing in the modern urban environment.

An important part of the Center's mission is to conduct a public information program. This is accomplished primarily through sponsored meetings, workshops, and conferences.


Support for our labs
Social Ecology II Building

2400 Square Feet - Joint Media Prep Room, Shared Equipment Room, Glass Wash Room and Radiosotope Biochemistry Lab