Overview
Dr. Meyer studies the effects of toxic agents and stressors on human and wildlife health. He is particularly interested in understanding the mechanisms by which environmental agents cause DNA damage, the molecular processes that organisms employ to protect prevent and repair DNA damage, and genetic differences that may lead to increased or decreased sensitivity to DNA damage. Mitochondrial DNA damage and repair, as well as mitochondrial function in general, are a particular focus. He studies these effects in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, in cell culture, and collaboratively in other laboratory model organisms as well as in human populations in the USA and globally.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Sally Kleberg Distinguished Professorship
·
2024 - Present
Environmental Natural Science,
Nicholas School of the Environment
Professor of Environmental Genomics
·
2024 - Present
Environmental Natural Science,
Nicholas School of the Environment
Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
·
2024 - Present
Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Pratt School of Engineering
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
2013 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Affiliate, Duke Global Health Institute
·
2017 - Present
Duke Global Health Institute,
University Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Inhibition of Mitochondrial Complex III Causes Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration by Redox Stress in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Journal Article bioRxiv · October 23, 2025 Environmental factors including chemical exposures are important contributors to Parkinson's disease (PD). Nearly all well-validated chemicals involved in PD affect mitochondria, and the great majority of those identified inhibit mitochondrial complex I, c ... Full text Link to item CiteLithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide particles cause developmental neurotoxicity in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>.
Journal Article Environmental science. Advances · October 2025 Lithium is increasingly used in rechargeable batteries for mobile devices, electric vehicles, and energy storage, among other applications. One of the common formulations of lithium batteries is lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNMC) particles. Incr ... Full text CiteHigh exposure variance enables candidate biomarker detection in a small EWAS of methylmercury-exposed Peruvian adults.
Journal Article BMC Genom Data · September 29, 2025 BACKGROUND: Epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) are a highly promising approach that can inform precision environmental health. However, current EWAS are underpowered and increasing sample sizes will require substantial resources. Therefore, alternat ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Duke University Program in Environmental Health
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences · 2019 - 2029Which mechanisms of pollutant-induced mitochondrial dysfunction cause dopaminergic neurodegeneration?
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2023 - 2027Accelerated Aging in Gulf War Illness: Phenotypes, Epigenetic Biomarkers and Associations with Gulf War Exposures
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Department of Defense · 2023 - 2027View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Duke University ·
2003
Ph.D.
Juniata College ·
1992
B.S.