University of Michigan-Ann Arbor · Mathematics & StatisticsThe Epigenetic Equity Lab
Margaret Takako Hicken · Ann Arbor, Michigan
Research Focus
Margaret Takako Hicken's lab at the University of Michigan focuses on understanding how neighborhood conditions, including social adversity and air pollution, affect healthy aging, particularly across different racial groups. By examining DNA methylation—the process that can influence gene expression—they aim to uncover the biological mechanisms behind health disparities and identify potential intervention strategies.
DNA methylationepigeneticssocial adversityair pollutionhealthy agingracial health disparitiesenvironmental epidemiologychronic diseasesneighborhood healthpopulation health
Research Aims
5AIM 01Investigate the relationship between neighborhood social context and health outcomes in aging populations.
AIM 02Identify how social adversity and air pollution together contribute to health disparities across racial groups.
AIM 03Clarify the role of DNA methylation in linking environmental and social factors to chronic diseases.
AIM 04Develop intervention strategies to address health inequalities informed by research on environmental and social exposures.
AIM 05Explore the epigenetic mechanisms that underlie the impact of neighborhood conditions on population health.
Skills the Lab Values
DNA methylation analysisepigenomic profilingstatistical modelingenvironmental exposure assessmentdata visualizationbiological sample collectioncommunity surveyspublic health research methodsdatabase management
Output against the department
Publications75bottom 8% of dept.120th of 131
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations5.3kbottom 38% of dept.81st of 131
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.