Research Areas:

Analytical Toxicology:

The Analytical and Biochemical Toxicology Research Section focuses on the analytical characterization of exposure to environmental contaminants and the development of biomarkers of contaminant exposure and effect. Analytical capabilities encompass the following: the ability to determine organic volatile species including pesticides that require highly specific detection, qualitative confirmation of these volatile analytes using gas chromatography equipped with mass spectrometric detectors, volatile/semi-volatile analysis for aqueous samples, non-volatile and ion analysis in aqueous samples, determination of total and inorganic mercury in aqueous and biological samples, and the ability to determine alkali, alkaline earth, and heavy metals in aqueous samples.  Instruments currently in place in the analytical/environmental laboratories include Agilent quaternary pump Liquid Chromatographs with Variable Wavelength Absorbance and Flourescence Detectors; Agilent 6890 Gas Chromatographs equipped with dual ECD, FPD/ECD, ECD/FID Detectors; Agilent 6890/5973 GC/MSDs; Thermo SOLaaR Atomic Absorption Spectrometer; Thermo Scientific LC-MSs, DXR3 Raman Microscope.

Faculty Contacts: 
Dr. Todd Anderson
Dr. Jaclyn Cañas-Carrell
Dr. Céline Godard-Codding
Dr. Ernest Smith

........................................................................... BACK TO TOP

 

 

Aquatic Toxicology:

Aquatic toxicology research at TIEHH currently involves a number of our faculty as well as collaborations with faculty in other departments at Texas Tech University. One of the primary goals and applications of most of the aquatic toxicology research at TIEHH is to expand the knowledge base of the fate and effects of anthropogenic stressors in order to accurately assess and minimize exposure risk to species and communities within the aquatic environment. In general, research has addressed the fate and effects of contaminants and other anthropogenic stressors on aquatic vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant species. Effect endpoints have ranged from physiological to ecological, while anthropogenic stressors have included numerous classes of pesticides, energetic compounds, persistent organic compounds, nanomaterials, and abiotic stressors. One current research focus area within the Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory addresses questions that lie at the interface of aquatic toxicology and aquatic ecology, utilizing a variety of tools and approaches from each of these fields. The goal is to improve our understanding of the influence of anthropogenic stressors such as contaminants on ecological processes. Our laboratory is equipped for conducting a variety of experiments ranging from multi-species microcosm experiments to standardized toxicity testing, with equipment support for quantifying physicochemical parameters and sample preparation for chemical analysis. In addition, laboratory-based research has often been complemented with field-based aquatic assessments and research effort.

Faculty Contacts:
Dr. Jaclyn Cañas-Carrell
Dr. Jordan Crago
Dr. Céline Godard-Codding
Dr. Greg Mayer
Dr. Philip Smith

........................................................................... BACK TO TOP

Human Health Sciences:

The primary objectives of the Division of Human Health Sciences are to study etiological role of various environmental toxicants in pathogenesis of acute and chronic human diseases, to determine adverse effects of environmental toxicants on humans, and to design effective prevention strategies for reducing human diseases risks linked to exposure to environmental toxicants.

Major approaches used by members of the Division include:

1. to develop sensitive methods to detect environmental toxicants in human body fluids for assessing human diseases risks;2. to develop various animal and human cell models for studying potentialmolecular mechanisms of known human diseases related to exposure    to environmental toxicants;3. to validate molecular biomarkers for environmental toxicants in high-risk human populations; and4. to study modulative effects of various agents, especially natural products, on prevention of toxicants-caused human diseases.5. the role of gene-environment interactions in human cancer development

Faculty Contacts:
Dr. Steven Presley
Dr. Kamaleshwar Singh
Dr. Ernest Smith
Dr. Degeng Wang 

........................................................................... BACK TO TOP

Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Toxicology:

The Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Toxicology Research Sections at TIEHH are comprised of faculty conducting research throughout the United States and abroad. We focus on exposure to, and effects of a wide variety of stressors on wildlife and ecosystems. Our approach often integrates complimentary field and laboratory studies. We are equipped for, and have expertise in, biochemical and physiological toxicology, and collaborate extensively with other faculty at TIEHH with expertise in analytical chemistry, molecular biology, etc. Our research has been funded by a variety of sources, including the U.S. EPA, NIEHS, NSF, USDA, DoD, DoE, SERDP, and numerous private corporations. In addition to our core TIEHH scientists, we benefit from numerous strong collaborative relationships with other faculty at Texas Tech University and other universities.Our students are integral to all our research endeavors, and are fully engaged in all field and laboratory studies. After graduation, our students enjoy exciting careers in academia, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. EPA, and private business.

Faculty Contacts: 
Dr. Céline Godard-Codding
Dr. Ron Kendall
Dr. Steven Presley
Dr. Philip Smith

........................................................................... BACK TO TOP

Nonwovens and Advanced Materials

The advanced materials laboratory at the Institute of Environmental and Human Health focuses on fundamental and applied research activities on developing sophisticated materials that help with improving human health and the environment. The laboratory utilizes burgeoning and cutting-edge techniques such as nano science and nonwovens technology. Research activities are truly multidisciplinary in nature involving environmental toxicology, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering and chemical sciences. The nonwovens laboratory houses the “state-of-the-art” needle punching and through-air thermal bonding machines. The laboratory has carried out fundamental and applied research on nonwovens technologies. Light weight nonwovens fabrics that find advanced applications such as chemical warfare and toxic chemicals decontamination wipes, inner liner for protective clothing, and filtration fabrics have been successfully developed. nonwovens technologies available at ENTX are being used to develop value-added products from cotton, wool  and their blends. A research project is underway to develop a cotton-based light weight chemical decontamination wipe. The research activity on the development of novel nonwovens chemical decontamination wipe has received international recognition. "Textile World Magazine" has featured the decontamination wipe as the “Quality Fabric of the Month” in the April 2004 issue. ENTX is the leading research institution that utilizes nonwovens technologies for developing protective and barrier materials.

Faculty Contacts:
Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar

........................................................................... BACK TO TOP

 

Vibrational Spectroscopy-based Machine Learning Applications

Vibrational Spectroscopy-based Machine Learning Applications section specializes in leveraging vibrational spectroscopy techniques, such as Raman spectroscopy and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy, in conjunction with advanced machine learning algorithms, to address a diverse group of research objectives. The projects include various applications, including human phenotyping from human nails, drug screening from human tissue and body fluids, studying the mechanisms of enzyme inhibition by organophosphate compounds using Raman spectroscopy, and screening for different diseases affecting both human and wildlife populations.

At the core of our research are instruments like the DXR3 Raman microscope and the Nicolet iS20 mid-infrared spectrometer. These instruments enable us to obtain high-resolution vibrational spectra from a wide range of samples, allowing for detailed analysis and characterization. By combining these spectroscopic techniques with sophisticated machine learning models, we aim to extract valuable insights and patterns from complex datasets, ultimately advancing our understanding of various biological, environmental, and biomedical phenomena.

Faculty Contacts:
Dr. Lenka Halamkova

........................................................................... BACK TO TOP

 

Zumwalt Program:

Starting as early as January 1999, discussions between Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. (USN Ret.) and key administrators at Texas Tech University were focused upon the growing and realistic threat our nation faced from the potential use of biological and chemical weapon agents by domestic and foreign enemies of the United States. Within The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) a joint venture was established with Texas Tech University/Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTU/TTUHSC) to design, develop and implement a research and development, training, and response program at Reese Technology Center to investigate and promulgate approaches, methods and technologies to counter the emerging threats posed to homeland defense and security by biological and chemical weapon agents. This program and its associated capabilities and facilities are a permanent resource for the American public that draws expertise from academia, federal and state government, military, industry, and the private sector. The initial focus of the Zumwalt Program was to further address research areas of need as identified by the National Research Council, including:
• Pre-incident communications and intelligence.
• Personal protective equipment.
• Detecting and measuring chemical and biological agents.
• Recognizing covert exposure.
• Mass-casualty decontamination and triage procedures.
• Availability, safety and efficacy of drugs, vaccines and other therapeutics.
• Developing computer-related tools for training and operations.
 
This program at Texas Tech was named in honor of the late Admiral Zumwalt for his far-reaching vision and tireless support in the pursuit and accomplishment of establishing a world-class research and development resource for the protection of the American Homeland.

In addition to more than 30 Texas Tech University System faculty directly and indirectly associated with the Zumwalt Program, there are approximately six Post-Doctoral Researchers and 30 Graduate Research Assistants working within the auspices of the program. 
 
RESEARCH MISSION:

The Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. National Program for Countermeasures to Biological and Chemical Threats (Zumwalt Program) is a multidisciplinary research, education and service consortium with the primary mission of defining, investigating, mitigating, and furthering the understanding and ability of operational military forces to prevent the threats associated with biological and chemical weapons.

........................................................................... BACK TO TOP

Research Areas

Analytical Toxicology

Aquatic Toxicology

Human Health Sciences

Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Toxicology

Nonwovens Advanced Materials

Vibrational Spectroscopy-based Machine Learning Applications 

Zumwalt Program