Associate Professor, Physiological Sciences - GIDP | Associate Professor, BIO5 Institute | Associate Professor, Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences | Member of the Graduate Faculty | Assistant Dean, Research
I develop experimental models to study the impact of environmental chemical exposures on female fertility.
Dr. Zelieann R. Craig earned her Bachelor's of Science in Industrial Microbiology University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, 2004) and her Ph.D. in Physiological Sciences University of Arizona, 2009) She completed postdoctoral training in Reproductive Toxicology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and joined The University of Arizona in 2013. She is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences ACBS) Dr. Craig holds memberships in the BIO5 Institute and the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center SWEHSC) where she serves as co-leader of the Adaptive Responses to Environmental Stress Research Focus Group.
The Problem
Many women struggle with infertility, often due to issues with their ovaries. The ovaries contain follicles, which are crucial for producing eggs and hormones. Environmental chemical exposures can damage these follicles, potentially causing fertility problems.
Current Research Limitations
Most studies on ovarian toxicity have been done on experimental models, which are slow and costly. Computational approaches combining data from various relevant species to model ovarian toxicity in humans are lacking.
Proposed Solution
This grant creates a virtual consortium bringing together experts in mouse and nonhuman primate ovarian biology, toxicology, and computer modeling.
This team will:
1. Study how ovarian follicles behave normally and when exposed to chemicals (using phthalates as an example) in both mice and nonhuman primates.
2. Use these data to create computer models that can predict how human ovarian follicles might respond to various chemicals.
Expected Outcome
This research aims to develop better tools for understanding and predicting how environmental toxins affect female fertility in humans. By combining animal studies with computer modeling, the team hopes to create more accurate and useful ways to assess potential reproductive toxicants.