General Information

The neural exposome is the integrated compilation of all physical, chemical, biological and psychosocial influences that affect nervous system health and disease. This workshop will center on understanding the interaction of exposome factors and their composite effect across the lifespan on neurological disorders and on neurological resilience. It will also provide a platform for idea exchange, collaboration, and networking.
Keynote Speakers
Robert O. Wright, M.D., M.P.H.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Dr. Robert O. Wright is the Ethel H. Wise Chair of Environmental Medicine and Co-Director of the Institute for Exposomic Research at Mount Sinai. He is a leader in exposomics, a pediatrician, medical toxicologist, and environmental epidemiologist. He leads the PROGRESS study, a 20-year cohort in Mexico City on DOHaD, examining adolescent obesity and neurobehavior. In 2017, he founded the Mount Sinai Institute for Exposomics to advance research in this field.
Gary W. Miller, Ph.D.
Columbia University
Dr. Gary W. Miller is the Vice Dean for Research Strategy and Innovation at Columbia University, serving as Professor of Environmental Health Sciences and Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics. He directs the Center for Innovative Exposomics, spearheading groundbreaking research in the field. Dr. Miller also influences national research priorities as an advisory panel member for the NIH All of Us Research Program, demonstrating leadership in exposomics and biomedical research. 
Workshop Co-chairs
Pamela J. Lein, Ph.D.
University of California, Davis
Dr. Pamela J. Lein is a Distinguished Professor of Neurotoxicology and Chair of the Department of Molecular Biosciences in the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) School of Veterinary Medicine. Her service activities include chairing the Working Group of the National Advisory Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NANDS) Council on the Neural Exposome.
Gina Poe, Ph.D.
University of California, Los Angeles
Dr. Gina Poe is the Lorre Scholars Chair in Integrative Biology and Physiology, and Director of the Brain Research Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She is a neuroscientist specializing in sleep research and has served on the Sleep Research Society's Board of Directors as well as the NIHs Sleep Disorders Research Advisory Board. Dr. Poe currently serves on the Society for Neuroscience Council.  

svg Meeting Contacts

Sessions/Agenda

Advancing Exposome Research in Neurological Disorders and Stroke - Hybrid Session
Tuesday, January 13, 2026-Wednesday, January 14, 2026
09:00 AM-06:00 PM(EST)
Neuroscience Center (NSC)
6001 Executive Boulevard,
Rockville, MD - 20852
Max.Capacity: 600 Participants: 602
Special Rules:
The virtual attendance has no capacity limit, while in-person attendance is limited to 125 seats.
Agenda:
Time Presentation
Day 1: January 13, 2026
9:00 am
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Amy B. Adams, PhD
Acting Deputy Director, Acting Director, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
9:15 am
ONETOX Welcome
Shardell M. Spriggs, PhD
Acting Director, Office of Neural Exposome and Toxicology (ONETOX), NINDS
9:30 am
Co-chair Address
Pamela J. Lein, PhD
University of California, Davis
Gina Poe, PhD
University of California, Los Angeles
10:10 am
Break
10:15 am
Session 1: Vulnerable Life Stages, Critical Windows that Degrade Neurological Health, and Cumulative Effects of Exposure History
Moderator: Adam L. Hartman, MD, NINDS
F. Sessions Cole, MD
Washington University in St Louis
Marissa Terry Sobolewski, PhD
University of Rochester
Briana De Miranda, PhD
University of Alabama at Birmingham
11:00 am
Q&A Discussion
11:30 am
Keynote Address
Framework to Study the Developmental Origins of Neurodegeneration
Robert O. Wright, MD, MPH
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
12:00 pm
Working Lunch / Small Group Sessions
Moderator: Claudia Figueroa-Romero, PhD, NINDS
Co-moderator: Sara Sameni, PhD, NINDS
1:45 pm
Break
1:50 pm
Session 2: Model Systems and Technological Advancements to Study the Neural Exposome
Moderator: Neel T. Dhruv, PhD, NINDS
Ellen Fritsche, MD
Swiss Center for Applied Human Toxicology
Chirag Patel, PhD
Harvard University
Amy Kind, MD, PhD
University of Wisconsin, Madison
2:35 pm
Q&A Discussion
3:05 pm
Break
3:15 pm
Keynote Address
Using Exposomics to Undercover the Environmental Drivers of Neurodegeneration
Gary W. Miller, PhD
Columbia University
3:45 pm
Break
4:00 pm
Breakout Sessions
Breaking Silos and Building Bridges in Neural Exposome Research
Moderators: Ray Dorsey, MD, MBA and Robert O. Wright, MD, MPH
Training for Exposomics Research
Moderators: Gary W. Miller, PhD and Pamela Lein, PhD
Non-Medical Factors that Impact the Advancement of Exposome Research in Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Moderators: Richard T. Benson, MD, PhD and Gina Poe, PhD
5:05 pm
Day 1 Wrap-up
5:15 pm
Adjourn
Day 2: January 14, 2026
9:00 am
Welcome
Kyle Walsh, PhD
Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Amir Tamiz, PhD
Director, Division of Translational Research, NINDS
9:15 am
Breakout Reports from Day 1 and General Discussion
10:20 am
Break
10:30 am
Session 3: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches to Promote Neurological Resilience Across the Lifespan
Moderator: Shardell M. Spriggs, PhD, NINDS
Maria Glymour, ScD
Boston University
Rebecca Gottesman, MD, PhD
NINDS
Sarah Booth, PhD
Tufts University
Suzanne Judd, PhD
University of Alabama at Birmingham
11:30 am
Q&A Discussion
12:00 pm
Day 2 Closing Remarks

Logistics

Neuroscience Center Building (NSC)

6001 Executive Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20852