Folami Ideraabdullah

Building frameworks for better understanding of the intricate relationships between genetics, environment, and development, Dr. Folami Ideraabdullah is a distinguished Associate Professor in the School of Medicine and Nutrition at the Gillings School of Global Public Health. She also serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her pioneering research delves into the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that govern development and disease, with a keen focus on how maternal health and environmental exposures influence offspring development through DNA methylation modifications. Dr. Ideraabdullah's work is characterized by its innovative use of both animal models and human studies to explore these complex interactions. She employs mouse models to investigate the effects of maternal folate and vitamin D deficiencies, as well as exposure to various toxicants, on developmental outcomes. These models provide critical insights into the biological processes that underlie gene-environment interactions and their implications for health. In addition to her work with animal models, Dr. Ideraabdullah conducts human studies that examine the impact of maternal obesity and gestational diabetes on offspring health. By integrating findings from these diverse research approaches, she aims to elucidate the multifaceted interplay between genetics and environmental factors, particularly within diverse populations. Her research contributes significantly to the understanding of how developmental programming and epigenetic plasticity can influence susceptibility to diseases later in life. Dr. Ideraabdullah's research interests encompass a broad range of topics, including developmental biology, genetics, maternal health, and epigenetic reprogramming. She is particularly interested in the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHAD) hypothesis, which posits that early-life environmental factors can have lasting effects on health and disease risk. Her work in this area seeks to uncover the underlying mechanisms of epigenetic plasticity and developmental programming that contribute to these long-term health outcomes. Through her research, Dr. Ideraabdullah aims to advance the field of toxicology by identifying critical windows of susceptibility during development and understanding how gene-environment interactions can influence disease risk. Her contributions to the field have the potential to inform public health strategies and interventions aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes. Dr. Ideraabdullah's dedication to her research is matched by her commitment to education and mentorship. She is actively involved in training the next generation of scientists and public health professionals, fostering a collaborative and inclusive research environment that encourages innovation and discovery. Her work continues to push the boundaries of our understanding of the complex interactions between genetics, environment, and development, with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes for future generations.