Dr. Aldrin Gomes
School of Medicine
Environmental Health and Pollution
NIH-Funded Research on How Everyday Medications Impact Our Environment
When we take medications like ibuprofen or antibiotics, they don’t just affect our bodies—they also end up in our water and soil. At ºÙºÙÊÓƵ, Dr. Aldrin Gomes, a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM), is conducting NIH-funded research to understand how these drugs, once released into the environment, affect the health of animals. His work examines how commonly used drugs such as ibuprofen increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Helping Humanity
Gomes’ research sheds light on the hidden impact of everyday medications, helping to guide better drug disposal practices and environmental policies. His findings could lead to new ways to reduce pharmaceutical pollution and protect our natural resources. Without continued NIH funding, progress in tackling this growing issue could slow, putting ecosystems and public health at risk. Sustained investment ensures cleaner water, healthier wildlife and a safer future for all.
Without research like this, we won’t fully understand how substances in our soil, lakes and groundwater are impacting us, or how they impact plants and animals. This research is all about finding ways to keep both Americans and America healthy.â€
— Dr. Aldrin Gomes