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Wilfried
Karmaus MD, DrMed, MPH
Health Sciences, 304 A
Phone: (803) 777-9814
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| Biographical Information: 1978, MD, University of Hamburg, Germany 1981, Dr. med., University of Hamburg, Germany 1986, MPH (Epidemiology), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
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| Research: Dr. Wilfried Karmaus’s interest covers environmental exposures and health outcomes in the life span from pre-conception to adolescence (maternal and child health). The overarching objective of this research is to disentangle the effects of pre- and postnatal exposures, which ultimately would lead to improved public health policies. In particular, he is interested in epigenetic associations. Whereas the DNA sequence provides the blueprint, epigenetic information instructs on how, where, and when the blueprint is used. Given an identical blueprint, environmentally-induced changes may introduce gene expression (or silencing), which may be inherited (epigenetic). In projects on halogenated compounds, he is working on potential risks for human reproduction and second-generation effects, in particular related to maternal consumption of contaminated fish in Michigan and South Carolina. There are two projects supported by ATSDR/CDC and US EPA: OSSM II: Offspring sex steroid metabolism, Principal Investigator: Dr. Janet Osuch at Michigan State University (see more info here). PEACH: Pregnancy Environment and Child Health, Principal Investigator: Wilfried Karmaus (see more info here). The PEACH study is supported by graduate assistants. There are plenty of opportunities for graduate students. The PEACH project links environmental exposures to allergic disorders and is also part of the research on allergies. In projects on allergic disorders in childhood (asthma, hay fever, eczema), his interest is to better understand the protective effect of a higher number of siblings (birth order, sibship size) and of pregnancy-related factors. He is collaborating in the Isle of Wight birth cohort study to determine the interaction between candidate genes and environmental exposure on the development of allergic diseases. There are two NIH-funded projects: - Genetic & epidemiologic cohort study of asthma and allergy, Principal Investigator: Dr. Susan Ewart, Michigan State University - Epidemiology of asthma: risk & prognosis in a cohort from birth to adolescence, Principal Investigator: Syed Hasan Arshad, University of Southampton, Asthma and Allergy Centre, Isle of Wight Both studies are supported by graduate assistants at USC. New graduate students are welcome. In a project on health sequels of the Chernobyl accidents in children, Dr. Wilfried Karmaus is collaborating with scientists in Kyiv, Ukraine. One objective is to compare children born before and after the accident. Since the radioactive exposure had a long half-life, children born after the accident were exposed in utero. Graduate students have the opportunity to help analyzing the data (see more info here). In a project on Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN), funded by NIH, Wilfried Karmaus is collaborating with Dr. Plamen Dimitrov (Principal Investigator) in Sofia, Bulgaria. To assess prenatal exposures, this study focuses on offspring of patients with BEN and a comparison group. Graduate students are welcome to work with the follow-up data that is collected since 2003 (see more info here). Overall, Dr. Wilfried Karmaus use to work with graduate students and established a model of apprenticeship. Through hands-on activities, these students have learnt how to conduct and analyze epidemiologic studies. They would then present their results at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals. This experience provides an excellent starting point for careers in industry and public health. The majority of the selected publications below where authored or co-authored by graduate students. |
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| Courses Taught: EPID 800 – Epidemiologic Methods II EPID 765 – Reproductive Epidemiology |
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Selected Publications: |
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| Columbia, SC 29208 • 803-777-5032 • sphweb@gwm.sc.edu | © University of South Carolina Board of Trustees |