My research is focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of manganese (Mn) induced toxicity, preferentially neurotoxicity. I'm interested in identification of novel manganese transporters and the proteins regulating intracellular manganese homeostasis; genetic modifiers mediating susceptibility of dopaminergic neurons to environmental toxins; the interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors of neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS); bioactive natural small molecules that protect against neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration

Chen P, Bornhorst J, Aschner M. Manganese metabolism in humans. Front Biosci. 2018 Mar 1;23:1655-1679. PubMed PMID: 29293455.

Chen P, Culbreth M, Aschner M. Exposure, epidemiology, and mechanism of the environmental toxicant manganese.Environ Sci Pollut Res Int.2016 Apr 22

Reckziegel P, Chen P, Caito S, Gubert P, Soares FA, Fachinetto R, Aschner M. Extracellular dopamine and alterations on dopamine transporter are related to reserpine toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans. Arch Toxicol.2016 Mar;90(3):633-45

Chen P, Chakraborty S, Mukhopadhyay S, Lee E, Paoliello MM, Bowman AB, Aschner M. Manganese homeostasis in the nervous system.J Neurochem.2015 134(4):601-10

Chen P, Chakraborty S, Peres TV, Bowman AB, Aschner M. Manganese-induced Neurotoxicity: From C. elegans to Humans.Toxicol Res (Camb).2015 4(2):191-202.

Leyva-Illades D, Chen P, Zogzas CE, Swaim CD, Bowman AB, Aschner M, Mukhopadhyay S. Mutations in SLC30A10 block its intracellular trafficking and manganese efflux to cause a hereditary parkinsonian disorder. J Neurosci.2014 Oct 15;34(42):14079-95.