Joel Meyer

Professor of Environmental Genomics in the Division of Environmental Sciences and Policy

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.

Appointments and Affiliations

• Professor of Environmental Genomics in the Division of Environmental Sciences and Policy
• Affiliate, Duke Global Health Institute
• Member of the Duke Cancer Institute

Contact Information

• Office Location: A354 Lev Sci Res Ctr, Durham, NC 27708
• Office Phone: (919) 613-8109
• Email Address: joel.meyer@duke.edu
• Websites:
  • Meyer Lab Website

Education

• Ph.D. Duke University, 2003
• B.S. Juniata College, 1992

Courses Taught

• ENVIRON 360: Environmental Health: Pollutant Chemistry and Toxicology
• ENVIRON 360D: Environmental Health: Pollutant Chemistry and Toxicology
• ENVIRON 393: Research Independent Study
• ENVIRON 394: Research Independent Study
• ENVIRON 501: Environmental Toxicology
• ENVIRON 593: Independent Studies and Projects
• ENVIRON 819: Mechanisms in Environmental Toxicology
• ENVIRON 847S: Seminar in Toxicology
• ENVIRON 848S: Seminar in Toxicology
• ENVIRON 899: Master's Project
• PHARM 394: Research Independent Study
• PHARM 494: Research Independent Study
• PHARM 847S: Seminar in Toxicology
• PHARM 848S: Seminar in Toxicology

In the News

• Gulf War Illness Found to Attack White Blood Cells’ Ability to Make Energy (Nov 3, 2023 | Nicholas School of the Environment)
• From Clean Up To Cutting Edge Research (Nov 3, 2017 | Nicholas School of the Environment)
• Five Faculty Named Bass Fellows for Excellence in Teaching and Research (Apr 18, 2017)
• Study Eyes Health Risks Of Drilling And Mining In Peru (Aug 5, 2014)

Representative Publications

• Hartman, JH; Gonzalez-Hunt, C; Hall, SM; Ryde, IT; Caldwell, KA; Caldwell, GA; Meyer, JN, Genetic Defects in Mitochondrial Dynamics in Caenorhabditis elegans Impact Ultraviolet C Radiation- and 6-hydroxydopamine-Induced Neurodegeneration., International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol 20 no. 13 (2019) [10.3390/ijms20133202] [abs].
• Hartman, JH; Smith, LL; Gordon, KL; Laranjeiro, R; Driscoll, M; Sherwood, DR; Meyer, JN, Swimming Exercise and Transient Food Deprivation in Caenorhabditis elegans Promote Mitochondrial Maintenance and Protect Against Chemical-Induced Mitotoxicity., Scientific Reports, vol 8 no. 1 (2018) [10.1038/s41598-018-26552-9] [abs].
• Meyer, JN; Hartman, JH; Mello, DF, Mitochondrial Toxicity., Toxicological Sciences, vol 162 no. 1 (2018), pp. 15-23 [10.1093/toxsci/kfy008] [abs].
• Luz, AL; Kassotis, CD; Stapleton, HM; Meyer, JN, The high-production volume fungicide pyraclostrobin induces triglyceride accumulation associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, and promotes adipocyte differentiation independent of PPARγ activation, in 3T3-L1 cells., Toxicology, vol 393 (2018), pp. 150-159 [10.1016/j.tox.2017.11.010] [abs].
• Meyer, JN; Leuthner, TC; Luz, AL, Mitochondrial fusion, fission, and mitochondrial toxicity., Toxicology, vol 391 (2017), pp. 42-53 [10.1016/j.tox.2017.07.019] [abs].
• Luz, AL; Godebo, TR; Smith, LL; Leuthner, TC; Maurer, LL; Meyer, JN, Deficiencies in mitochondrial dynamics sensitize Caenorhabditis elegans to arsenite and other mitochondrial toxicants by reducing mitochondrial adaptability., Toxicology, vol 387 (2017), pp. 81-94 [10.1016/j.tox.2017.05.018] [abs].