Projects

Current Projects:

• The genetic and epigenetic epidemiology of complex traits in minority populations
• Gene-environment interactions, with a focus on the effect of social and family environments on common genetic variants
• The intergenerational transmission of chronic disease risk and adverse pregnancy outcomes via biological (genetic, epigenetic) and psychosocial mechanisms
• Natural experiments related to immigration policy changes and the health of minority communities 

Affiliated Longitudinal Studies:

• Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos
• Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study
• Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging
• The Niños Lifestyle and Diabetes Study

Research Funding & Partners:

• American Heart Association Mid-Atlantic Affiliate Dissertation Grant –PI: Fernández-Rhodes, Title: Acculturation and its interaction with genetic obesity susceptibility among United States Hispanics
• Population Research Institute Innovation, Collaboration and Leadership Team Grant and Social Science Research Institute Supported PSU Research Date Center Analysis using Restricted NHANES Data - MPIs: Fernandez-Rhodes, Frisco, Title: The health of immigrant families: How structural incorporation fear, stress and avoidance shape well-being"
• R01 from NHLBI –MPIs: Graff, Fernández-Rhodes, Title: Leveraging Hispanic/Latino diversity to map and characterize cardiovascular disease loci