Thivanka Muthumalage

Areas of Expertise

• Inhalation Toxicology
• Tobacco Regulatory Science
• Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
• Eco Toxicology

HHS Signature Research Area(s)

• Developmental Health and Wellness

School of Health Sciences Research Area(s)

• Toxicology

Biography

Our current research is focused on the inhalation toxicity and immunotoxicity of combustible tobacco and emerging tobacco products such as flavored electronic cigarettes containing additives such as flavoring chemicals, nicotine, and THC/CBD.

Our lab uses novel in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo pulmonary exposure and disease models to study the lung injury responses (acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome) and mechanisms of pathogenesis by chronic exposures.  By understanding the underlying mechanisms, such as immunometabolic changes in the immune cells of the lung, we investigate the effects of these environmental toxicants in healthy and under pre-existing disease conditions such as asthma, COPD, fibrosis, and systemic infections (e.g., HIV).

Key mechanistic research areas include DNA damage, telomere dysfunction, immunometabolism, and exposome concerning pulmonary disease pathogenesis.

Education

• Postdoctoral Fellow ( 2017-2023), Toxicology Program, Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
• PhD, Environmental Toxicology, University of Nevada, Reno
• BS, Biology, University of Nevada, Reno

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• ABIDE Diversity Task Force, School of Health Sciences, Purdue University
• Diversity and Inclusion Group, Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center

Selected Grants

• Principal Investigator, Pulmonary toxicological evaluation and chemical interactions of menthol, mint, and tobacco flavored e-cigarette products (K99/R00), National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences

Professional Affiliations

• Society of Toxicology
• American Thoracic Society
• Society for Research in Nicotine and Tobacco