Environmental Health PhD Student Examines Herbicides and Metabolic Health

ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 7, 2024) — Under the mentorship of UAlbany’s David Carpenter and David Lawrence, PhD student Sarah Otaru is examining the impact of environmental contaminants on health. 

Originally from Nigeria, Otaru made her way to the University at Albany College of Integrated Health Sciences after her firsthand experiences as a physician in her home country. 

“I encountered communities affected by pollution, inadequate sanitation, and exposure to hazardous substances, which drove me to explore how environmental exposures contribute to public health challenges,” Otaru explains. “This passion deepened when I learned about the widespread use of pesticides and their potential health risks, motivating me to pursue a career that combines clinical knowledge with research to address these critical issues.” 

She was drawn to UAlbany for its connection with the New York State Department of Health, along with its emphasis on interdisciplinary research. Now as a PhD student, Otaru researches how chemicals like pesticides influence metabolic health and developmental outcomes. Published in Environmental Health, her recent research looked at exposure to glyphosate— a widely used herbicide — and the relationship to metabolic syndrome, a health condition that includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, excess abdominal fat and elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Metabolic syndrome symptoms amplify the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. 

Otaru's study found that people with different levels of glyphosate in their urine had different scores that showed how likely they were to have metabolic syndrome. The results showed a curve formation, in which having very little or too much glyphosate did not have a strong correlation to having metabolic syndrome, but glyphosate seemed to have a stronger impact for those in the middle. They also found that people over age 65 and Black Americans were more likely to be affected by glyphosate than others. 

"Environmental exposures can disrupt biological pathways and contribute to conditions such as metabolic syndrome and developmental disorders like autism. Understanding these complex relationships can inform more effective public health interventions and policies,” Otaru says. 

Recently, Otaru received the David Axelrod Award for Excellence in Scholarship for her research on glyphosate, an award given at the College of Integrated Health Sciences’ annual Poster Day, in which students present on their internship and research experiences. 

Once she completes her PhD, Otaru plans to continue her research in environmental epidemiology. 

“I’m looking for roles that allow me to interact more directly with communities while continuing to conduct research. I am particularly interested in positions that bridge the gap between data and policy, translating research findings into actionable interventions that can improve community health outcomes,” she says.