Immunotoxicity and neuroendocrine-immune interactions Dr. Chiappelli's research interests focus upon the mechanisms by which neurobiological systems interact to insure the survival of the organism, with specific emphasis upon the immune surveillance of the oral cavity. Studies in his laboratory center upon the modulation of clinical and fundamental immune responses by drugs of abuse (e.g., alcohol, cocaine), immunotoxicants (e.g., mercury) as well as hormones and neuropeptides in male and female human control subjects and in patient populations. He focuses upon the regulation of the cellular and molecular responses of T cells, from early events of T cell activation, to transmembrane, cytosolic and genomic activation, their traversal of the cell cycle, and their phenotypic and functional maturation, including their patterns of migration. He verifies in vitro, animal (e.g., fish) and human models of research.