Aaron Bowman

Areas of Expertise

• Neurotoxicology
• Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
• Metals
• Neurodegenerative Disease

HHS Signature Research Area(s)

• Developmental Health and Wellness
• Healthy Lifestyles and Vital Longevity

School of Health Sciences Research Area(s)

• Toxicology

Biography

Aaron Bowman is Professor and Head of the School of Health Sciences and member of the Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN). His lab utilizes a combined approach of molecular genetics, pharmacology, biochemistry, cell and developmental biology to understand the role of gene-environment interactions between metal exposure and neurodegenerative diseases. The lab employs a diverse range of model systems including patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), neuronal cultures and mouse models. The lab aims to define mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction and understand the basis of selective neuropathology, by characterizing the molecular function of disease genes and their interaction with environmental toxicants under both normal and pathological conditions. The lab has been applying iPSC technology to neurotoxicity research for 10+ years, and has established protocols to generate iPSC lines and differentiate them down forebrain, striatal, midbrain and other neural lineages. The lab applies toxicological and functional approaches, in addition to novel high-throughput screening, -omics, and high-content approaches. The long-term goal is to use a personalized medicine approach to investigate patient-specific toxicant vulnerabilities, the basis of persistent and latency toxic effects, and to develop neuroprotective strategies that mitigate neurological diseases with environmental etiologies.

Education

• PhD, 2000, Biomedical Health Sciences, University of California San Diego
• B.S. 1995, Microbiology, Brigham Young University

Websites

• Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience
• Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease
• Institute for a Sustainable Future

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Culturally Aware Mentoring training from CIMER

Current Courses

• HSCI 19501, 29501, 39501, 49501 - HSCI Honors Seminar
• HSCI 19601, 29601, 39601, 49601 - HSCI Honors Project
• HSCI 36000 - Everyday Toxicology: Poisoning from Clinics to Courtrooms
• HSCI 61300 - Professionalism and Professional Development in Health Sciences

Selected Honors/Awards

• Outstanding New Environmental Scientist (ONES) Award NIEHS - 2008-2013

Selected Grants

• R01 ES031401; (Bowman and Harrison, MPI), 2/1/2020– 10/31/2024 NIH/NIEHS (RO1) Bowman Sub-Award Annual Total Costs (awarded, period 1): $255,718 Total Costs (awarded, periods 1 thru 5): $2,660,600 Manganese exposure susceptibility as a modifier of excitotoxicity in Alzheimer's Disease
• R01 ES010563-17; (Aschner and Bowman, MPI), 4/1/2018 – 3/31/2023 NIH/NIEHS (RO1) Bowman Sub-Award Annual Total Costs (awarded, period 1): $290,163 Total Costs (awarded, periods 1 thru 5): $2,943,649 Mechanisms of Manganese Toxicity
• RO1 ES07331-21 (Aschner and Bowman, MPI), 2/15/2012 – 11/30/2026 NIH/NIEHS (RO1) Bowman Sub-Award Annual Total Costs (awarded, period 1 of 5): $279,000 Total Costs (awarded, periods 1 thru 5): $3,015,551 Mechanisms of Methylmercury-Induced Neuronal Toxicity

Professional Affiliations

• Member, Society of Toxicology
• President elect, International Neurotoxicology Association
• Advisory Board Member, United States Department of Labor, Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program
• Associate Editor for Toxicological Sciences, Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, NeuroToxicology