Zunwei Chen, PhD, MS

Zunwei Chen’s research spans environmental science, toxicology, and molecular biology. His work focuses on uncovering the mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of environmental contaminants. Currently, his research investigates how exposure to heavy metals and their mixtures contributes to neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration, using extracellular vesicles as a novel perspective. He employs advanced tools such as CRISPR gene editing and other molecular biology techniques to explore the underlying mechanisms and identify potential preventive strategies.

Dr. Chen also collaborates actively with researchers in environmental epidemiology to strengthen the translation of mechanistic findings into human health relevance. In addition, he is dedicated to developing and applying new approach methodologies (NAMs) to assess the toxicity of environmental chemicals and mixtures, enabling faster responses to environmental emergencies and more effective risk prioritization.

Overall, Dr. Chen’s research bridges the gap between environmental exposures and adverse health outcomes, providing insights that support evidence-based interventions and public health policy.

Before joining the faculty at Tulane University, Dr. Chen was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He earned his Ph.D. in Toxicology from Texas A&M University and his M.S. in Environmental Toxicology from Zhejiang University, China. Dr. Chen has been a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology (DABT) since 2024. He welcomes undergraduate and graduate students interested in toxicology and environmental health to join his lab.