Adrienne S Ettinger ScD, MPH, MSc

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology (Chronic Diseases)

Research Interests

Effects of environmental exposures on reproductive, perinatal, and children's health; Global health; Nutrition; Molecular epidemiology

Current Projects

1. NIEHS K01-ES014907 (P.I. A. Ettinger) “Genetic & Epigenetic Modifiers of Maternal-Fetal Transfer of Toxicants & Perinatal Outcomes” 01/15/2008–11/30/2011
2. CDC/ATSDR U01-TS000135 (P.I. J. Lewis) "A Prospective Birth Cohort Study Involving Uranium Exposure in the Navajo Nation" 09/01/2010 – 08/31/2013
3. NIEHS P20-ES018171/U.S. EPA RD834800 (P.I. K.Peterson) “Perinatal Exposures, Epigenetics, Child Obesity & Sexual Maturation” 08/09/2010 – 03/31/2013
4. Health Canada (P.I. T.Arbuckle, W. Frasier) “Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC): A National Profile of In Utero and Lactational Exposure to Environmental Contaminants” Co-sponsored by Health Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment 2007 – 2012

Research Summary

Dr. Ettinger’s research focuses on the effects of environmental exposures on reproductive, perinatal, and children's health. The objective of her work is to understand how common genetic variants, epigenetic events, and dietary nutrients may modify susceptibility to environmental exposures in the maternal-fetal unit and, ultimately, impact toxicant-induced pregnancy and developmental outcomes. Her research involves the epidemiologic analysis of environmental exposure to metals and the associated human health effects in several new and ongoing longitudinal birth cohort studies. These studies are currently being carried out in: Mexico, in collaboration with researchers at the National Institute for Public Health; Canada, in collaboration with Health Canada; and in the U.S. (Oklahoma), at the Tar Creek Superfund site. In addition, Dr. Ettinger is working with colleagues in Asia, Europe, and South America to develop similar studies which may provide new insights to better understand how environmental risks within and between populations vary with respect to exposure, underlying susceptibility and developmental stage.

Selected Publications

  • Ettinger AS, Zota AR, Amarasiriwardena CJ, Hopkins MR, Schwartz J, Hu H, Wright RO. Maternal arsenic exposure and impaired glucose tolerance during pregnancy. Environ Health Perspect 2009 Jul; 117(7):1059-1064.
  • Pilsner JR, Hu H, Ettinger A, Sanchez BN, Wright RO, Cantonwine D, Lazarus A, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Mercado-García A, Téllez-Rojo MM, Hernández-Avila M. Influence of prenatal lead exposure on genomic methylation of cord blood DNA. Environ Health Perspect 2009 Sept;117(9):1466–1471.
  • Ettinger AS, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Téllez-Rojo MM, Mercado-García A, Peterson K, Schwartz J, Hu H, Hernández-Avila M. Effect of calcium supplementation on blood lead levels in pregnancy: a randomized control trial. Environ Health Perspect 2009 Jan; 117(1):26–31.
  • Hennig B, Ettinger AS, Jandacek RJ, Koo S, McClain C, Seifried H, Silverstone A, Watkins B, Suk WA. Using nutrition for intervention and prevention against environmental chemical toxicity and associated diseases. Environ Health Perspect 2007 April; 115:493–495.
  • Ettinger AS, Téllez-Rojo MM, Amarasiriwardena C, Peterson KE, Schwartz J, Aro A, Hu H, Hernández-Avila M. Influence of maternal bone lead burden and calcium intake on levels of lead in breast milk over the course of lactation. Am J Epidemiol. 2006 Jan 1;163(1):48-56.
  • Janakiraman V, Ettinger A, Mercado-Garcia A, Hu H, Hernández-Avila M. Calcium supplements suppress bone resorption during pregnancy: a randomized crossover trial. Am J Prev Med 2003;24(3):260-264.

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