Clinical Research Branch | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Clinical Research Branch | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Skip Navigation
Clinical Research Branch
Close the left navigation
Add
Michael B. Fessler, M.D.
Chief, Clinical Research Branch;
Clinical Director and Chair - Clinical Advisory Committee (CAC);
Principal Investigator
Tel 984-287-4081
[email protected]
Research Summary
Many human diseases result from environmental exposures that can affect individuals who are genetically susceptible to the development of a disease. NIEHS has an active research program that investigates the mechanisms of such diseases. The mission of the Clinical Research Branch is to enhance NIEHS-led research by:
Translating basic laboratory findings to humans
Studying interactions between genetic susceptibility (host factors) and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of complex human traits and diseases
Identifying populations at risk and developing novel preventative and therapeutic strategies to combat human diseases
View all
Clinical Studies
performed by NIEHS
Looking to join a study?
Visit the
Join an
NIEHS Study
Website
The Clinical Research Branch pursues this mission by:
Developing resources and systems for NIEHS investigators involved in the conduct of human investigation
Fostering growth in clinical research and building new areas of collaboration between basic and clinical scientists
Providing an effective interface between investigators, health care professionals, the clinical research unit and other clinical facilities in the Research Triangle Park area.
Developing and conducting clinical research educational programs for investigators, coordinators and administrators
Minimizing obstacles to translational research at NIEHS
The Clinical Research Branch supports multiple NIEHS research groups that focus on a wide variety of environmental conditions including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, reproductive diseases, neurological disorders, cancer, and many others. The branch’s ultimate goal is to combat environmentally-induced human disease in three substantive ways:
Developing better diagnostic tools to identify high risk populations for environmentally induced diseases
Developing novel therapeutic strategies
Developing novel preventative strategies
Key Components of the Clinical Research Branch
Clinical Research Unit, North Carolina
Our facility allows our scientists to conduct studies that involve on-site human sample collection, analysis and functional assessment.
NIEHS Medical Student Research Fellowships
NIEHS offers one-year research fellowships for third-year medical students for medical students to train at NIEHS.
Office of Human Research and Community Engagement
Supports NIEHS scientists by ensuring that human research subjects' protection is at the forefront of clinical research planning, and engages to enhance health resiliency, disease prevention, and health.
PEGS: Personalized Environment and Genes Study
The Personalized Environment and Genes Study (PEGS) integrates genetic and environmental data to understand disease etiology, identify disease risk factors, and improve disease prevention.
Principal Investigators
Environmental Autoimmunity Group
Lisa G. Rider, M.D.
Head and Senior Clinician
Tel 301-451-6272
[email protected]
Frederick W. Miller, M.D., Ph.D. (Retired)
Scientist Emeritus
Tel 984-287-3593
[email protected]
Pediatric Neuroendocrinology Group
Natalie D. Shaw, M.D., MMSc.
Senior Investigator
Tel 984-287-3716
[email protected]
Reproductive Physiology & Pathophysiology Group
Janet E. Hall, M.D., M.S. (Retired)
Senior Investigator
Tel 617-877-1112
[email protected]
Contact
Lawrence S. Kirschner, M.D., Ph.D.
Senior Clinician;
Medical Director, NIEHS Clinical Research Unit
Tel 984-287-3562
[email protected]
Support Staff
Beverly Sellers-Robinson
Administrative Specialist
Tel 301-451-6269
[email protected]
Publications
Recent Publications
Nelson M, Rider L, Kim H, Gillespie S, Do V, Fuller J, Rouster-Stevens K, Schiffenbauer A. Reliability of durometry to assess firmness of calcinosis lesions in Juvenile and adult dermatomyositis.
PloS one
2026;21(3):e0343708.
Abstract
Nelson M, Rider L, Kim H, Gillespie S, Do V, Fuller J, Rouster-Stevens K, Schiffenbauer A. Reliability of durometry to assess firmness of calcinosis lesions in Juvenile and adult dermatomyositis. PloS one. 2026
Rebollo-Giménez A, Baird T, Feldman B, Hinze C, McCann L, Reed A, Rider L, Cunningham J, Consolaro A, Ravelli A, MacMahon J, Rosina S. Systematic literature review informing PReS/CARRA-endorsed recommendations for the treat-to-target strategy in juvenile dermatomyositis.
The Journal of rheumatology
2026 Apr 15 [Epub ahead of print].
Abstract
Rebollo-Giménez A, Baird T, Feldman B, Hinze C, McCann L, Reed A, Rider L, Cunningham J, Consolaro A, Ravelli A, MacMahon J, Rosina S. Systematic literature review informing PReS/CARRA-endorsed recommendations for the treat-to-target strategy in juvenile dermatomyositis. The Journal of rheumatology. 2026 Apr 15
Akhtari F, Madenspacher J, D'Agostin D, Shuptrine S, MacNell N, Ritter R, Burkholder A, Xu Z, Mack J, House J, Schaid D, McDonnell S, Schurman S, Fargo D, Schmitt C, Hall J, Motsinger-Reif A. Personalized Environment and Genes Study (PEGS) Dataset-a resource for genomic, exposomic, and geospatial data.
Scientific data
2026 Apr 02 [Epub ahead of print].
Abstract
Akhtari F, Madenspacher J, D'Agostin D, Shuptrine S, MacNell N, Ritter R, Burkholder A, Xu Z, Mack J, House J, Schaid D, McDonnell S, Schurman S, Fargo D, Schmitt C, Hall J, Motsinger-Reif A. Personalized Environment and Genes Study (PEGS) Dataset-a resource for genomic, exposomic, and geospatial data. Scientific data. 2026 Apr 02
Malave-Ortiz S, McNeley S, Denslow S, Bangma J, Ferguson K, Fenton S, Shaw N. The association between PFAS exposure, menstrual cycle parameters, and reproductive hormones in adolescent girls.
The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
2026 Apr 01 [Epub ahead of print].
Abstract
Malave-Ortiz S, McNeley S, Denslow S, Bangma J, Ferguson K, Fenton S, Shaw N. The association between PFAS exposure, menstrual cycle parameters, and reproductive hormones in adolescent girls. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 2026 Apr 01
Ward J, Ambatipudi M, Manna Z, Schiffenbauer A, Smith M, Rahman S, Miller F, Kaplan M, Li J, Casey K, Hasni S, Rider L. Distinct Interferon and Intracellular Signaling Signatures in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Dermatomyositis by Integrative Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis.
ACR open rheumatology
2026 Feb;8(2):e70161.
Abstract
Ward J, Ambatipudi M, Manna Z, Schiffenbauer A, Smith M, Rahman S, Miller F, Kaplan M, Li J, Casey K, Hasni S, Rider L. Distinct Interferon and Intracellular Signaling Signatures in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Dermatomyositis by Integrative Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis. ACR open rheumatology. 2026 Feb
More Recent Publications from PubMed
Related Links
Fred Miller retires from NIEHS Clinical Research Branch
- Environmental Factor, April 2021
Genome Integrity & Structural Biology Laboratory Seminars
Jobs at NIEHS
NIEHS Medical Student Research Fellowships
Research Training
Back
to Top
Last Reviewed: April 22, 2026