Alexs Matias, PhD, completed his doctorate in Kinesiology and Applied Physiology at the University of Delaware; his research focused on vascular endothelial function, blood pressure regulation, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular disease risk in occupational populations. Prior to his doctoral training, he earned an M.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a B.A. in Exercise Science from Skidmore College.
Dr. Matias’ research interests are at the intersection of cardiovascular physiology, occupational medicine, and environmental health. Throughout his academic career, he has been interested in understanding how environmental and occupational stressors contribute to cardiovascular disease risk. As an undergraduate and research associate, Dr. Matias worked closely with structural and wildland firefighters to investigate the cardiovascular consequences of heat stress and smoke exposure. During his master’s training, he contributed to mechanistic studies examining the effects of cigarette smoke exposure on mitochondrial function and cellular energetics. More recently, Dr. Matias’ dissertation research examined how shift work, sleep disruption, circadian misalignment, and psychosocial stress impair vascular function, blood pressure regulation, and oxidative stress in first responders.
As a CTCRE fellow, Dr. Matias is excited to investigate the cardiovascular effects of tobacco, nicotine, marijuana, and emerging aerosol exposures, with a particular focus on oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular injury. His long-term goal is to establish an independent research program focused on cardiovascular and redox health in occupationally and environmentally exposed populations. Through this work, he hopes to integrate mechanistic cardiovascular physiology with public health impact to inform prevention strategies, risk communication, and regulatory policy aimed at reducing cardiovascular disease risk.