Walker is internationally recognized for her work in environmental health and elucidation of molecular mechanisms of disease. Because of her impact on the science of toxicology and the more than 30 years she has spent in dedication to advancing the field, Walker was awarded the 2019 Society of Toxicology Distinguished Toxicology Scholar Award.

Her studies on the role of the epigenome in gene-environment interactions have yielded significant insights into mechanisms by which early life environmental exposures influence health and disease across the life-course.

The epigenome is often described as the “software” that operates our genome. This epigenomic software is installed very early in life at key developmental windows in utero and during early childhood and adolescence. Adverse environmental exposures experienced early in life can re-program the epigenome and increase susceptibility to many diseases in adulthood.

Walker’s research is providing new insights into how the environment molds the epigenome, and how developmental reprogramming induced in early life exposures can change normal physiology to increase risk for diseases such as obesity and cancer.

Research!Louisville runs Sept. 10-13. More details about this lecture and other presentations, seminars and research showcases are .听

Specifically, Petrosino will highlight the CMMR鈥檚 study of the microbiome and autoimmune disease, neurodevelopmental disorders, cancer and Type 1 diabetes. The center鈥檚 research efforts include benchmarking and validation of protocols and strategies for metagenomics analyses. Petrosino鈥檚 presentation will explain how research and development of advanced technologies have contributed to the understanding of how the human microbiome impacts health and disease, and the translation of this knowledge into microbiome-based therapeutics and diagnostics.

The keynote address and awards recognition ceremony will conclude Research!Louisville鈥檚 week-long series of health-related research forums. .听