Moussa M. Diawara, Ph.D.

Education

• Ph.D. in Entomology (1991), University of Georgia 
• M.S. in Agronomy/Weed Science (1987), University of Georgia 
• B.S. in Agricultural Science Engineering (1979), University of Mali 

Positions Held

Active Research Projects

• Studies on geochemical characterization of topsoil in Pueblo, Colorado for exposure to heavy metals. This research raised concerns about heavy metal contamination around old smelters in Pueblo and resulted, in part, to the listing of some neighborhoods of Pueblo on the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund National Priority List in 2014. The subsequent $70 million EPA Superfund remediation process is currently underway in affected neighborhoods in Pueblo, Colorado.
• Studies on Blood Lead Level in children around the city of Pueblo, Colorado to address public health concerns.
• Studies on the environmental and socio-economic impact of the Superfund remediation in Pueblo, Colorado.
• Studies on the effect of lead (Pb) exposure on cancer gene modulation of the insect Manduca sexta.
• Studies on the biomagnification of lead (Pb) in terrestrial ecosystem in Pueblo Colorado.
• Studies on the impact of cannabidiol (CBD) administration on human learning and memory.
• Over $2 million secured in research grants 

Select Publications (from over 50)

1. Peterson EK, Carsella J., Varian-Ramos CW, Schiffer T, Staples SK, Diawara M. 2024. Effects of Lead (Pb) from Smelter Operations in an Urban Terrestrial Food Chain at a Colorado Superfund Site. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 112, 17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-023-03846-x
2. Diawara MM, Shrestha S, Carsella J, Farmer S. 2018. Smelting remains a public health risk nearly a century later: a case study in Pueblo, Colorado, USA. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 15(5), 932. doi: 10.3390/ijerph15050932 https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/5/932
3. Diawara MM and Unis D. 2009. Arsenic toxicity to preimplantation stage embryo. In Environmental Health Risks: Lead Poisoning and Arsenic Exposure, JD. Gosselin and IM. Fancher (eds.). Chapter 9. Nova Publishers. Hauppauge, NY.
4. Unis D, Osborn C, Diawara MM. 2009. Arsenite exposure compromises early embryonic development in the Golden hamster. Reproductive Toxicology 28:329-334 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19447171/
5. Diawara MM, Litt JS, Alfonso N, Unis D, Martinez LA, Smith DB, Crock JG, Carsella J. 2006. Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in surface soils, Pueblo, Colorado: Implications for population health risk. Environmental Geochemistry & Health 28:297-315. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10653-005-9000-6
6. Cipolla McDermott D, Hoyer PB, and Diawara MM. 2005.  8-methoxypsoralen suppresses production of ovarian aromatase proteins. Journal of Toxicology – Toxins Review 24: 235-245. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1081/TXR-200057861
7. Diawara MM, Gupta R, Flaws JA. 2004. In vitro determination of psoralen-induced growth reduction in ovarian follicles. In Polyphenols Communications. Eds Hoikkala A and Soidinsalo O, Univerity of Helsinki Press 2004 167-168.
8. Carsella J, Caprioglio D, and Diawara MM.  2003.  Method for detecting toxin-induced gamete DNA damage in male rats.  Journal of Toxicology – Toxins Review 22: 691-700. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1081/TXR-120026922
9. Cipolla McDermott D, Hoyer PB, and Diawara MM. 2003. Morphological evidence of 8-MOP-induced apoptosis in rat ovary. Journal of Toxicology – Toxins Review 22: 701-708 www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1081/TXR-120026923
10. Trumble, JT, Diawara MM and Quiros CF. 2002. The need for understanding mechanisms of resistance: The example of celery.  Breeding for Resistance to Insects and Mites 22: 83-88. https://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=FR2002000473
11. Diawara MM, Williams DE, Oganesian A, Spitsbergen J. 2000. Dietary psoralens induce hepatotoxicity in C57 mice. J Nat Toxins. 2000 May;9(2):179-95.PMID: 10868344.
12. Diawara MM, Chavez KJ, Hoyer PB, Williams DE, Dorsch J, Kulkosky P and Franklin MR. 1999. A new group of ovarian toxicants: the psoralens. J Biochem Mol Toxicol. 13(3-4):195-203. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1099-0461(1999)13:3/4<195::aid-jbt10>3.0.co;2-p.PMID: 10098905
13. Chandler R, Diawara MM, Capriolio H, Williams DE and Chavez KJ. 1999. Examination of psoralen-induced photodermatitis under scanning electron microscopy. J. Natural Toxins 8: 167-177.
14. Diawara MM, Trumble JT, Lacy ML, White KK, and Carson WG. 1996. Potential of somaclonal celeries for use in integrated pest management. Journal of Economic Entomology 89: 218-223. http://faculty.ucr.edu/~john/1996/DiawaraetalJEconEnt1996.pdf
15. Diawara MM, Trumble JT, Quiros CF and Hansen R. 1995. Implications of distribution of linear furanocoumarins in celery. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 43: 723-727. https://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=US1997052566
16. Diawara MM, Trumble JT, Quiros CF, White KK, and Adams C. 1994. Plant age and seasonal variations in genotypic resistance of celery to beet armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 87: 514-522. http://faculty.ucr.edu/~john/1994/Moussa-Adams-1994.pdf
17. Diawara MM, Trumble JT and Quiros CF. 1994. Linear furanocoumarins and Apium prostratum/Spodoptera exigua interactions. Acta Horticularae 381: 589-595. https://www.ishs.org/ishs-article/381_80