James W. Squires Professor and Chair Department of Epidemiology
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
One Medical Center Drive
7927 Rubin Building
Lebanon, NH 03756
Tel: 603-653-9010
Fax: 603-653-9093
E-mail: Margaret.R.Karagas@Dartmouth.Edu
Areas of Expertise: Epidemiology and children’s health
Research Topics/Working Groups: Molecular biomarkers; Epidemiology of arsenic/Group leader; Epidemiology of environmental agents in children
Research: Margaret Karagas’ research encompasses interdisciplinary studies to illuminate the etiology of human cancers, along with adverse pregnancy and children’s health outcomes. Her work seeks to identify emerging environmental exposures, host factors and mechanisms that impact health from infancy to adult life, and to apply novel methods and technologies to understand disease pathogenesis. Among her current investigations are population-based studies of the temporal increases in the incidence rates of keratinocyte cancers in the US and the contribution of widespread exposures such as indoor tanning, as well as drinking water contaminants. More recently she established a cohort of pregnant women and their offspring in New Hampshire to assess the sources and potential health impacts of arsenic and other factors on childhood infection, allergy/atopy, growth and neurodevelopment through the Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center. The cohort entails multiple collaborative studies of exposure biomarkers, individual susceptibility, and biological response to environmental agents, including the developing microbiome and immune response.