Building stronger science by studying sex differences in environmental health research

Imagine a chemical that never dies; it simply weaves in and out of the human anatomy and the natural world. These are known as Persistent Organic Pollutants, often called “forever chemicals,” and they are an indestructible byproduct of modern manufacturing. Banrida Wahlang, assistant professor in the Department of Medicine and the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology at the University of Louisville, has dedicated her career to studying how these man-made compounds, as well as other pollutants, affect human health. 

Wahlang first became interested in environmental health as a graduate student. She was immediately intrigued by the sheer impact that our everyday actions, such as water consumption, food choices and even the air we breathe, can have on our bodies. This pushed her to further study how our environment shapes our long-term health and quality of life. 

That early curiosity grew into a research career focused on understanding how environmental exposures shape human health. Today, she leads the Wahlang Laboratory with the intention of identifying sex-dependent mechanisms that drive metabolic disease outcomes with chemical exposures and investigating potential intervention strategies to combat the harmful effects of environmental toxicants.  

The lab’s research is dynamic and ever-changing; no two days look the same. Some days are spent in the lab alongside her team, refining techniques and troubleshooting the unexpected challenges that come with complex data. Other days are quieter, dedicated to the deep work of reading and thinking, a time when she often finds herself generating more questions than answers.  

Those questions often lead to the most exciting breakthroughs. 

“These are the days when my ideas transform into experiments, projects and grant proposals,” Wahlang said. “My hope is that the work we do will inform the public about the ways our environment can shape us - our health and quality of life, and overall, emphasizing the importance of keeping our environment healthy and sustainable.”  

As a part of her work, Wahlang and her team are helping challenge a long-standing norm in biomedical research: the assumption that male models represent the standard reference for medical research. They have found that physiological responses to toxicants vary significantly between males and females.  

By investigating these differences, including how one sex might show more resistance to exposure than the other, Wahlang aims to leverage these differences to develop sex-specific therapeutic and intervention strategies.  

 “The work that my team does is important, not only because it is inclusive and translationally relevant,” Wahlang said, “but it also captures what may have been missed in the past due to the lack of studies in women participants and female models, pushing for more accurate study designs and stronger science.” 

Along the way Wahlang created a team composed almost entirely of women, something that was unintended. The group has become a powerful example of women leading and supporting one another in scientific research. Wahlang says she strives to create an environment where researchers feel valued and supported as they grow in their careers. 

 “I believe the diverse and compelling qualities that women bring to the table have helped foster a more creative and community-centered approach to medical research today,” Wahlang said. 

Looking ahead, Wahlang acknowledges that being a woman in this field comes with both progress and persistent challenges. She believes that when women are visible in research and clinical leadership, it signals to the next generation that they belong there, too. Her goal is to move beyond just surviving in the field, she wants future female scientists to truly thrive. 

When asked what advice she would give to the next generation of female medical professionals, Wahlang’s message is simple and powerful: “Follow your heart, listen to your instincts and when the noise becomes too much, let your work do the talking.”