Researcher | Research Overview
Our laboratory focuses on two types of early insults to the developing nervous system-- chemical exposures (e.g., lead, elemental mercury, methylmercury, arsenic, manganese, pesticides and anesthetic agents) and insults related to serious medical conditions (e.g., congenital heart lesions, schistosomiasis and congenital diaphragmatic hernia).
The specific aims of the chemical exposure studies are to: Develop new strategies for quantifying exposure. Define the "behavioral signature," if any, associated with different exposures and exposure scenarios. Identify factors that either increase or decrease an individual's risk associated with exposure to a chemical. The goal of the studies on endogenous insults related to medical conditions is to characterize the associated behavioral risks, particularly risks associated with drug therapies or with invasive interventions, such as procedures to repair serious congenital heart disease.
Researcher | Research Background
David Bellinger has a PhD in Psychology from Cornell University and a Master's degree in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health. He holds a secondary appointment as Professor in the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard School of Public Health. He is currently President of the International Society for Children's Health and the Environment.