Research interests include: studying the effects of drugs, psychomotor stimulants, and poisons on DNA.

The influence of the following species on DNA is of special interest:

1. antidepressants
2. marijuana, cocaine, and tobacco components
3. metals: Cr, Cd, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cu, and others (metal-induced genotoxicity)

A damaging agent can affect DNA in two ways: by directly interacting with DNA bases (direct genotoxic effect) or by interfering with DNA repair pathways (indirect genotoxic effect). Some chemicals can exhibit mutagenic activities in combination with other DNA-destructing agents (comutagenic effects). I am interested in dissecting the underlying mechanisms preceding DNA breakage by different harmful molecules.
The long-term research goal focuses on 1) identifying new DNA-damage markers [special damaged spots on DNA] and 2) developing biochemical methods for qualitative and quantitative determination of damaging agents using these markers.