https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1219-0983
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 Duke 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 Scholarly Works
Evidence from three taxonomically distinct species for a non-AhR mechanism of developmental neurotoxicity of an environmentally derived mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Preprint · August 18, 2026 Typical environmental exposures to the toxic class of chemicals known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) involve complex mixtures; however, relatively few mechanistic toxicity studies have evaluated them as environmental mixtures, instead focusing ... Full text Link to item CiteInhibition of mitochondrial complex III causes selective dopaminergic neurotoxicity by redox stress in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Journal article Redox biology · August 2026 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 CiteCaenorhabditis elegans fed native gut microbiota have altered bioenergetic pathway utilization impacting mitochondrial function and susceptibility to pollutants.
Journal article Environ Sci Process Impacts · May 27, 2026 The gut microbiome can influence host health by facilitating digestion, immune function, and xenobiotic metabolism. Microbial metabolites can influence mitochondrial function by shifting bioenergetic pathways, potentially altering sensitivity to mitochondr ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Understanding environmental mitochondrial health
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences · 2026 - 2034Paraoxonase-2 and Mitochondrial Damage in Airway Epithelium
ResearchAdvisor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2026 - 2031Duke University Program in Environmental Health
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences · 2019 - 2029View All Grants
Education
Duke University ·
2003
Ph.D.
Juniata College ·
1992
B.S.