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The Longitudinal Effect of Arsenic on DNA Methylation and Blood Pressure in Pediatric Populations

Award Number: F31ES038753
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 11/13/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/12/2027

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The Longitudinal Effect of Arsenic on DNA Methylation and Blood Pressure in Pediatric Populations - ABSTRACT Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States and many communities globally. Arsenic is a toxic metalloid found in drinking water worldwide, and exposure to this element has been associated with an increased risk of CVD, potentially through increased blood pressure. One possible mechanism underlying the association between arsenic exposure and blood pressure is the alteration of DNA methylation, which affects gene transcription. However, few studies have interrogated this mechanism, particularly in early life. To enhance our understanding of the role of arsenic exposure on cardiovascular endpoints, the proposed study leverages secondary data from the Bangladesh Environmental Research in Children’s Health (BiRCH) cohort, which enrolled participants aged 5–7 years and has followed them into adolescence. The proposed research will leverage existing data on arsenic exposure assessed in toenail clippings and spot urine samples, blood pressure measurements, and whole blood epigenome-wide DNA methylation data available from two time points (ages 5–7 years and 12–14 years). Under the supervision of Dr. Maria Argos (primary sponsor) and my mentorship committee, with expertise in arsenic and cardiovascular epidemiology, biostatistical methods, and epigenetic analyses, I propose to explore the association between arsenic exposure in early childhood and longitudinal blood pressure changes between early childhood and adolescence. I will also evaluate the relationship between arsenic exposure and changes in DNA methylation between early childhood and adolescence. These represent critical life stages for epigenetic programming due to them being periods of rapid growth and development. Linear regression models will be employed to assess the associations between arsenic exposure and longitudinal change in blood pressure (Aim 1) and longitudinal change of DNA methylation at individual CpG loci in an epigenome-wide analysis (Aim 2). In conducting these analyses, I will expand existing knowledge and develop new skills and experience in biostatistical methods and the analysis of epigenetic data. I will enhance my training through external workshops, additional coursework, and direct mentorship from my sponsor and mentorship team. The proposed study addresses several research gaps, including contributing knowledge on early-life impacts of arsenic exposure and underlying mechanisms of toxicity. The results of the proposed analyses may help to inform future research on later-life cardiovascular health and support the inclusion of environmental health as a factor in reducing the public health burden of CVD. The proposed study is also well-aligned with the NIEHS Strategic Goals, including strengthening mechanistic biology and toxicology research as we seek to contribute novel data from a human study evaluating DNA methylation as a mechanism of arsenic toxicity.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $50,114 )
2026	2026	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	85 EAST NEWTON ST # M-921	BOSTON	MA	02118	SUFFOLK	USA	Environmental Health	000	1	5/18/2026	NEW	$50,114
														Subtotal = $50,114

Grand Total All Awards = $50,114

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The Longitudinal Effect of Arsenic on DNA Methylation and Blood Pressure in Pediatric Populations

Award Number: F31ES038753

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 11/13/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/12/2027

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