Michael Bloom, PhD

Michael Bloom, PhD

Associate Professor, Global and Community Health

Faculty Directory

Research Focus

I have great interest in the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals on human reproduction and development. Much of my research focuses on measuring environmental pollutants in biological specimens, such as blood and urine, and relating the concentrations to reproduction-related endpoints, including pregnancy, birth weight, preterm birth, and birth defects. For example, my work has evaluated how industrial pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls, perfluorinated alkyl substances, and heavy metals affect fertility and fetal development, the impact of lipids and micronutrients on in vitro fertilization (IVF), how chemicals commonly found in plastics and personal care products contribute to reproductive health disparities, and how air pollutants and greenspace affect chronic health conditions in children and adults. These investigations are of great public health importance, because of the widespread nature of the environmental exposures, in the United States and elsewhere, and the vulnerability of mothers, fetuses, and disadvantaged groups.

Current Projects

■ “Racial Disparities Associated with Maternal Exposure to Environmental Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in a Southeastern U.S. Community,” evaluates the effects of gestational exposure to environmental phenols and phthalates on fetal development in African American and white mothers, and explores effects of co-exposure to the mixture.
■ “ECHO Consortium on Perinatal Programming of Neurodevelopment,” collects sociodemographic, medical, lifestyle, and environmental data, measures anthropometry, and gather biospecimens to investigate the impact of environmental pollutants on child development.
■ “Exposome Contributors to Child Health Originating from National Fetal Growth Study (ECCHONFGS),” investigates associations between maternal exposure to environmental pollutants during pregnancy and their children’s health outcomes.

Contact

Phone: 703-993-8588

Email: mbloom22@gmu.edu

Website: https://chhs.gmu.edu/profiles/mbloom22