Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Cincinnati's Sponsored Research Services Division received a $698,212 Project Grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) under the Environmental Health program (CFDA 93.113), effective April 1, 2026, through January 31, 2031. This award supports research investigating the impact of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) on cardiovascular health and disease. The research team will deliver mechanistic toxicology studies examining how MNP exposure causes mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in cardiac tissue, ultimately increasing susceptibility to myocardial infarction and heart dysfunction. The project utilizes both in vivo rat models and human in vitro models—including induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes and human cardiac organoids—to generate findings directly relevant to human cardiovascular health outcomes.

The research deliverables will be produced through an interdisciplinary team comprising cardiac toxicologists, chemists, clinical cardiologists, and biostatisticians. The study directly addresses epidemiological evidence linking increased MNP exposure to elevated cardiovascular events in human patients, filling a critical knowledge gap regarding the cardiovascular toxicity of this emerging environmental contaminant. Findings will advance understanding of MNP-induced cardiac damage mechanisms and inform strategies to reduce disease burden from widespread human exposure to environmental MNPs, aligning with NIEHS's mission to translate environmental health research into improved population health outcomes.