The lifetime risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) is determined by the genetic makeup and exposure to modifiable risk factors. Dr. Juyong Brian Kim's research laboratory is interested in understanding how various environmental pollutants (eg. tobacco, e-cigarettes, air pollution and wildfire) interact with genes to affect the transcriptome, epigenome, and eventually disease phenotype of CVD. The current focus is to investigate how different toxic exposures can adversely remodel the vascular wall leading to increased cardiac events. The lab intersects human genomic discoveries with animal models of disease, in-vitro and in-vivo systems of exposure, single-cell sequencing technologies to solve these questions. Additionally, they collaborate with various members of the Stanford community to develop biomarkers that will aid with detection and prognosis of CVD. They are passionate about the need to reduce the environmental effects on health through strong advocacy and outreach.