Robert F. Phalen

Professor, Department of Medicine; Co-Director, Air Pollution Health Effects Laboratory; Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health, Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of California, Irvine. Professor Phalen [Ph.D. in Biophysics from University of Rochester, NY] brings expertise on the health effects of air pollutants to the ORU.

Particle deposition in the developing lung and in the adult lung is one major focus of his research; another is assessment of lung defense mechanisms against inhaled particles. Quantitative morphometry by hand and image analysis has been used to study the respiratory tract anatomy for the purpose of computer modeling fates of inhaled particles. Additional studies are in developing methods for the use of laboratory animals in order to protect humans against air pollutants. His career emphasis is on the application of quantitative tools to biomedical problems:

- Lung injury from inhaled aerosol/gas combinations

- Highly concentrated aerosols: properties and deposition in the respiratory tract

- Respiratory tract aerosol dosimetry models

- Comparative respiratory tract anatomy in young and adult humans and laboratory animals

- Laboratory generation and characterization of aerosols

Research Interests:

Air Pollution

Aerosol Medicine

Inhalation Toxicology

Pulmonary Anatomy

Research Ethics

He has about 150 publications and 3 books on these topics.

Selected Honors and Awards:

- Public Education Award, CA Biomedical Research Associate, 1994

- Career Achievement Award, Inhalation Specialty Section, Society of Toxicology, 2000

- Distinguished Service, Southern California Academy of Sciences, 2008

- Fellow: Academy of Toxicological Sciences

- Fellow: Southern California Academy of Sciences

- Fellow: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)