Rainbow Rubin

Professional Overview

Courses

Environmental Health

Course Overview

Study the health effects of toxic chemicals on biological systems and their movement through environmental matrices. This is a writing intensive course in which students learn about the properties of toxic substances, biological mechanisms of action, public health impacts of exposure, environmental justice, methods of prevention, and how to evaluate related research and policy. It builds on the rhetorical and critical thinking skills used to analyze texts developed in English 5 and upon the fundamental biological and chemical concepts presented in introductory biology and chemistry. The research paper will prepare students with the skills to research and present on a range of topics in the health science discipline.  This course fulfills the Writing in the Discipline requirement for Allied Health Science majors. Students may take this course in or anytime after the spring semester of sophomore year and after completing introductory chemistry and biology.

Human Nutrition

Course Overview

Study the health effects of nutrition on the human biological system. This is a writing intensive course providing an overview of current topics in nutrition within the context of public health. In addition to studying the biochemical properties of macronutrients and micronutrients, we will explore concepts in dietary assessment and epidemiology, dietary toxic exposure and prevention strategies, life cycle nutrition, global nutrition, public health and community nutrition, agriculture and food policy, and evaluation of related research.  It builds on the rhetorical and critical thinking skills used to analyze texts developed in English 5 and upon the fundamental biological and chemical concepts presented in introductory biology and chemistry. The research paper will prepare students with the skills to research and present on a range of topics in the health science discipline.  This course fulfills the Writing in the Discipline requirement for Allied Health Science majors. Students may take this course in or anytime after the spring semester of sophomore year and after completing introductory chemistry and biology.

Research

Environmental exposure has increased since the industrial revolution. Exposure to industrial pollutants through mutliple environmental matricies (air, water, food, soil) is now documented at all life stages starting with in utero exposure. Dr. Rubin's research is focused on prevention of chronic disease and the health impacts associated with toxic exposure during the peri-natal and early life periods.

Despite institutional responsibility to address the public health impact of environmental exposure, microenviornmental and dietary changes may present the greatest opportunities for immediate reductions in exposure, particularly for reproductive toxins among reproductive-aged individuals.

Dr. Rubin's research makes use of (1) dietary and exposure assessment to determine dose ranges among vulnerable populations and (2) educational and behavioral strategies among reproductive-aged individuals to reduce exposures through micro-enviornmental and dietary matricies.