Brian Merkel

Human Biology

 

The effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on human health remain controversial.  The use of ineffective biosensors and a failure to study humans at greatest risk have contributed to the problem.  The goal of my research is to overcome these challenges by examining the effects of PCBs on immune competence in residents living in the Fox River Watershed.  A parallel to the human approach has been developed in the mouse in collaboration with St. Norbert College to explore further our understanding of PCB-mediated immunotoxicity.