Congratulations to Valeria Lallai, PhD, Project Scientist in the lab of Professor Christie Fowler, for securing a grant from the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP) as the Principal Investigator. This notable achievement highlights her role at the forefront of research examining the impacts of vaping during pregnancy.

Lallai’s project, titled “The Effects of Vaping During Pregnancy on Placental Biology and Offspring Development,” has been awarded $500,000 over two years. This pilot award supports highly innovative research proposals with significant potential for future impact. The primary objective of the study is to delve into the risks associated with prenatal exposure to nicotine and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) through vaping, focusing on how it might affect both maternal and fetal health.

Her pioneering research aims to uncover how e-cigarette exposure during pregnancy could disrupt communication between maternal and fetal compartments. By examining the extracellular signaling in utero, the study seeks to identify crucial biomarkers that could predict and explain potential deficits in brain development and behavioral outcomes in offspring.

This grant is a testament to Lallai’s dedication and innovative approach to tobacco-related research, promising to provide invaluable insights that could inform future health policies and interventions.