Sam Vielee

I grew up in Indianapolis, IN before attending the University of Alabama where I earned my bachelor's degree in Biology while also studying Psychology and Global & Cultural Perspectives. I have always been fascinated with science, specifically neuroscience, and studied the effects of pesticides on the development of neurodegenerative diseases while at UA. After graduating from UA, I joined the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology at the University of Louisville under an IPIBS pre-doctoral fellowship. I am currently pursuing both an MS and PhD in Pharmacology & Toxicology. I recently joined the NeuroWise Lab of Environmental Neurotoxicology to examine how environmental pollution is impacting neurodegeneration in people. We specifically examine how hexavalent chromium induces genotoxic effects and leads to accelerated biological aging and, ultimately, the death of neurons. We employ the One Health Model to examine human, wildlife, and environmental health through a single scope to create a deeper understanding of how our health is intertwined.

March 2022