Effects of prenatal wildfire exposure on child development
Official title: Molecular and Neurodevelopmental Alterations Associated with Prenatal Wildfire Exposures
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11134344 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how breathing in wildfire smoke while pregnant might impact how children grow and develop, especially their brain and behavior, to help expectant parents understand the potential risks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | June 18, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $795,848 |
| NIH project number | 1R01ES037032-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134344 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant individuals who have been exposed to wildfire smoke or live in areas affected by wildfires.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who have not been exposed to wildfire smoke may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to wildfire smoke during pregnancy may affect the development of children, particularly focusing on neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes. It examines the mechanisms by which prenatal exposure to air pollution and particulate matter can disrupt immune regulation and fetal brain development. The study utilizes animal models to explore the long-term impacts of these exposures, aiming to provide insights into the potential risks associated with wildfires for pregnant individuals and their children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of wildfire smoke on pregnant individuals and their children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown significant impacts of environmental exposures on pregnancy outcomes, suggesting that this research builds on established findings but focuses specifically on wildfire smoke, making it a novel investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmidt, Rebecca Jean — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Schmidt, Rebecca Jean
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.