Eric Gato

Assistant Professor | Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA, UNITED STATES

Professor Gato focuses on diabetes, environmental chemistry and toxicology to examine exposure to environmental contaminants

Biography

My research interests are in the areas of environmental chemistry and environmental toxicology. Some of these research initiatives include the application of toxicogenomics and proteomics techniques to examine exposure to environmental contaminants. One area that I would like to study is the application of epigenetics to the study of pancreatic cancer. Epigenetic control connotes the idea of alterations in gene expression without changes in the underlying DNA sequence. I would also like to study susceptibility of offspring to metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance) after in utero exposure using animal models. Specific areas of current and future research are highlighted below.

Toxicogenomic and Proteomic Response of Rodents and Mammalian Cells to Dietary Environmental Contaminants (2-aminoanthracene). Research to examine the effect of 2-aminoanthracene (2-AA) on pancreatic cells with specific focus on insulin production, insulin resistance and pancreatic cancer etiology.

Susceptibility of offspring to metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance) after in utero exposure using animal models. Investigation of epigenetic alterations as a result of environmental chemical exposure during early years of life or in the uterine environment. Examine the effects of 2-Aminoanthracene (2AA), in utero, and in utero through postnatal period using proteomics, toxicogenomics and immunohistochemical techniques. This proposed investigation will enhance our understanding of the adverse effects associated with aromatic amines chemical exposure in utero.

Fate and chemodynamics of trace metals, organics and nanomaterials. Research to study adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metal mixtures by engineered nanomaterials. Determination of fate and transport of heavy metals and hydrophobic organic chemicals in soils and aquatic systems. Analysing soil physical properties such as soil texture, particle size, soil structure and pore size in response to heat derived from seasonal burning. Organic carbon, pH, cation exchange capacity, and salinity measurements in soil. Modelling heavy metal transfer from soil to vegetables.

Chemical Education research in the employment of pedagogical approaches to improving student learning outcomes. This involves the use of technologies, assessment, and laboratory and lecture instruction and testing of various teaching models for example, will teaching math intensive topics later improve student outcome?

Areas of Expertise (5)

Diabetes

Environmental Toxicology

Biochemistry

Environmental Chemistry

Environmental Contaminants

Education (3)

Western Michigan University: Ph.D. 2007

University of Nottingham: M.S. 2002

University of Cape Coast: B.S. 1999

Links (2)

Articles (3)

Blood pressure control, glycemic control, and dyslipidemia among healthy adults in the Cape Coast metropolis, Ghana

Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews

Worlanyo Eric Gato, Samuel Acquah, Paul Nsiah, Samuel Tawiah Opoku, Bettye Appiah Apenteng, Benjamin Kwasi Johnson

2019 The World Health Organization recommends the implementation of interventions focused on the early detection of clinical risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) as effective strategies for the control of CVD in low resource settings. However, due to health system resource constraints, surveillance capacity for the identification of high-risk populations for non-communicable diseases, including CVD have been inadequate. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of CVD clinical risk factors among healthy adults residing in the Cape Coast metropolis of Ghana...

Short-Term Effects of Titanium Dioxide Nanofiber on the Renal Function of Male Sprague Dawley Rats

Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology

Daniel A Hunter, Leah K Bartel, Ian Byrd, Bethany Bogan, Wilson Yau, Ji Wu, Worlanyo Eric Gato

2018 Titanium dioxide nanofiber (TDNF) is widely used in the manufacture of various household products, including cosmetics. As a result, the possibility exists for TDNFs to affect human health. Because the kidneys are responsible for filtering out waste from the blood, the goal of the present study was to investigate the short-term effects of TDNF on kidney function of male Sprague Dawley rats.

Assessment of the link between in utero exposure to 2-aminoanthracene (2AA) and type-1 diabetes (T1D)

Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders

Christopher A. Mays, Daniel A. Hunter, Wilson Yau and Worlanyo E.

2017 A recent diabetes report revealed an increased incidence in diabetes including type 1-diabetes (T1D). The increase in the numbers of T1D incidences are thought to be related to environmental reasons such as the exposure to environmental chemicals including arylamine 2-aminoanthracene (2AA). T1D is an autoimmune disease of the pancreatic islet in which insulin-producing beta cells are destroyed by auto-reactive T-cells and monocytic cells...