Faculty
Dr. Curtis Noonan
Associate Professor of Epidemiology
Email: curtis.noonan@umontana.edu
Phone: (406) 243-4957
Curtis Noonan received his Ph.D. in Environmental Health with a specialization in Epidemiology from Colorado State University in 2000. He is also a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley (B.A., 1989) and the George Washington University (M.A., 1995). After receiving his Ph.D., Curtis worked as an epidemiologist at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in Atlanta. In 2004, he was hired as Assistant Professor for Epidemiology in the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Department of Pharmacy Practice.
Research Statement
Dr. Noonan’s laboratory is focused on the human health effects of exposures to environmental agents. His current research includes the investigation of the impact of biomass smoke exposure on the respiratory health of susceptible human populations. One of his studies is the first randomized trial in the US to utilize a woodstove intervention to assess the impact of the consequent reductions in indoor particulate matter on health outcomes in a susceptible population. In addition to clinically-relevant health outcomes measures among asthmatic children, his laboratory investigates sub-clinical biomarkers of respiratory inflammation and oxidative stress. Another study conducted by Dr. Noonan tracks a community-wide woodstove changeout program and evaluates the impact on ambient levels of particulate matter and children’s health. He is also actively engaged in identifying reliable biomarkers of exposure to biomass smoke. The results of these and similar studies will be translatable to other regions in the US and the world where biomass burning is commonly used for heating and cooking and is a large contributor to global burden of disease. Dr. Noonan is also actively engaged in studying environmental risk factors for diabetes and asthma among Northern Plains Native American populations.
Recent Publications
Bergauff M, Ward TJ, Noonan CW, Palmer CP. The Effect of a Woodstove Changeout on Ambient Levels of PM2.5 and Chemical Tracers for Woodsmoke in Libby, Montana. Atmospheric Environment 2009 (In Press).
Dent L, Harris K, Noonan C. Randomized Trial Assessing the Effectiveness of a Pharmacist-Delivered Program for Smoking. Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2009 (In Press).
Wells SM, Noonan CW, Wells KM, Holian A, Wibbenmeyer LA. Effects of Toxic Gases: Methamphetamine Inhalation. Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation 2009 (In Press).
Migliaccio CT, Berghauff MA, Palmer CP, Jessop F, Noonan CW, Ward TJ. Urinary Levoglucosan as a Biomarker of Woodsmoke Exposure: Observations in a Mouse Model and in Children. Environ Health Perspect 2009;117:74–79.
Ward TJ, Palmer C, Bergauff M, Hooper K, Noonan CW. Results of a Residential Indoor PM2.5 Sampling Program Before and After a Woodstove Changeout. Indoor Air 2008;18:408–415.
Berghauff M, Ward T, Noonan CW, Palmer C. Determination and evaluation of selected organic chemical tracers for wood smoke in airbourne particulate matter. Int J Environ Anal Chem 2008;88:473-486.