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Megan E Romano, PhD

Title(s)
Associate Professor of Epidemiology

Department(s)
Epidemiology

Education
University of Washington, PhD 2013
Boston University, MPH 2007
Allegheny College, BS 2004

Websites
https://www.romanolabepidemiology.org/

Contact Information

Office: Williamson 758
Phone: 603-646-5495
Email: Megan.E.Romano@Dartmouth.edu


Professional Interests

Dr. Romano's research explores the influence of exposure to environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during the sensitive windows of pregnancy and gestation on pregnancy complications, maternal and infant hormones, breastfeeding, infant feeding behaviors, and early life growth. Her research is primarily focused on the effects of EDCs commonly found in consumer products in the United States, including bisphenol A, phthalates, perfluoroalkyl substances, parabens, and flame retardants. Dr. Romano also works with local and regional stakeholders to address community concerns related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination in New England.

Grant Information

R21 ES032187, NIEHS: Chen & Romano (multi-PI)
P20 GM104416, NIGMS: Karagas (PI) ; Role: Project Leader
Project 2018-2539, NIH/NIEHS (CHEAR/HHEAR): Romano(PI)

Courses Taught

QBS 131/BIOL 073 Foundations of Epidemiology II: Theory and Methods


Selected Publications

 

Gestational Exposure to 10 Classes of Priority Chemicals and Birth Outcomes in the ECHO Cohort.
Buckley JP, Pacyga DC, Xun X, Barr DB, Barrett ES, Bastain T, Bennett DH, Braun JM, Breton CV, Carignan C, Croen LA, Dunlop AL, Farzan SF, Ferrara A, Gilliland FD, Herbstman JB, Karagas MR, Karr CJ, Kuiper JR, Meeker JD, Miller RL, Morello-Frosch R, O'Connor TG, Oh J, Perera FP, Porucznik CA, Romano ME, Sathyanarayana S, Schantz SL, Schmidt RJ, Sherris AR, Trasande L, Volk H, Watkins DJ, Zhao Q, Zhu Y, Li Z, Pellizzari E, Kannan K, Woodruff TJ, Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort Consortium
JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Jun 1;9(6):e2618883. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.18883. Epub 2026 Jun 1.
PMID: 42307947

Lactation Interrupted: PFAS Impact on Capacity to Breastfeed Ignored.
Pelch KE, Romano ME, Reade A, Fenton SE, Timmermann A
Curr Environ Health Rep. 2026 Jun 13;13(1) doi: 10.1007/s40572-026-00546-6. Epub 2026 Jun 13.
PMID: 42287472

Predictors of Serum Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Concentrations in a Rural Agricultural Community Affected by Biosolids Application.
Rokoff LB, Senechal K, Romano ME, Botelho JC, Calafat AM, Criswell R, Fleisch AF
Environ Sci Technol. 2026 Jun 9;60(22):15628-15640. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.6c00692. Epub 2026 May 22.
PMID: 42171345

Evaluation of the Association Between Carrageenan and Systemic Inflammation: Results From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Lam CS, O'Connell K, Monroy-Iglesias MJ, Du M, Romano ME, Giovannucci EL, Mao JJ, Kantor ED
Mol Nutr Food Res. 2026 May;70(9):e70484. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.70484.
PMID: 42117307

Itching to know: the Microbiome, Allergic Disease, and Antimicrobial Chemicals.
Laue HE, Fleury ES, Romano ME, Hoen AG, Braun JM
Curr Environ Health Rep. 2026 Apr 27;13(1) pii: 18. doi: 10.1007/s40572-025-00519-1. Epub 2026 Apr 27.
PMID: 42036511

Pregnancy exposure to environmental phenols and breastfeeding duration in the HOME Study.
Gerili Z, Braun JM, Yolton K, Lanphear B, Romano ME, Tolstrup J, Timmermann A
Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2026 May;274:114794. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2026.114794. Epub 2026 Apr 4.
PMID: 41936220

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances During Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes: The Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort.
Starling AP, Burjak M, Nzegwu AW, Xun X, Adgate JL, Barrett ES, Bennett DH, Chatzi L, Colicino E, Dabelea D, Dunlop AL, Eick SM, Farzan SF, Ferrara A, Fleisch AF, Geiger SD, Hedderson MM, Kahn LG, Karagas MR, Kelly RS, Liang D, Lin PI, O'Connor TG, Padula AM, Peterson AK, Romano ME, Sathyanarayana S, Zhu Y, Valvi D, ECHO Cohort Consortium*
Diabetes Care. 2026 May 1;49(5):852-860. doi: 10.2337/dc25-1340.
PMID: 41875060

Gestational exposure to organophosphate ester flame retardants and child growth in weight, height, and body mass index at age 2-10 years: the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Program.
Starling AP, Li X, Ames JL, Barrett ES, Bastain TM, Buss C, Dabelea D, Dunlop AL, Ferrara A, Hedderson MM, Herbstman J, Kannan K, Karagas M, O'Connor TG, Oh J, Peterson AK, Romano ME, Sathyanarayana S, Schmidt RJ, Simhan HN, Strakovsky RS, Trasande L, Wadhwa PD, Zhao Q, Bennett DH, Buckley JP, ECHO Cohort Consortium
Environ Res. 2026 Jun 1;298:124229. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2026.124229. Epub 2026 Mar 7.
PMID: 41802660

A qualitative study exploring barriers and motivators influencing home radon testing decisions and behaviors.
Iuliano K, Papas S, Greco KJ 2nd, Adachi-Mejia AM, Knutzen K, Sykes C, Dionne AR, Purvis L, Romano ME, Gunn CM, Rees JR
Sci Rep. 2026 Feb 13;16(1) doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-39513-4. Epub 2026 Feb 13.
PMID: 41688679

Prenatal exposure to essential and toxic elements in relation to infant growth trajectories.
Yim G, Heggeseth BC, Gilbert-Diamond D, Peacock JL, Margetaki K, Baker ER, Palys TJ, Jackson BP, Madan JC, Romano ME, Karagas MR, Howe CG
Environ Health. 2026 Jan 9;25(1) doi: 10.1186/s12940-025-01252-w. Epub 2026 Jan 9.
PMID: 41514328

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