Jim Burch, PhD
Assistant Professor; Epidemiology and Biostatistics

USC Cancer Prevention & Control Program
2221 Devine St, Room 226
Columbia, SC 29208 (29205 for express delivery)
Tel:  803.734.4459
Fax:  803.734.5505
E-mail:  burch@gwm.sc.edu

Bibliographic Profile

1997 PhD, Environmental Health, Colorado State University
1984 MS, Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado
1980 BA, Psychology, University of Colorado

Research Interests

• Occupational and environmental epidemiology
• Use of biological markers to study disease mechanisms in humans
• Circadian physiology and shift work adaptation
• Role of melatonin as an anticarcinogenic hormone
• Role of environmental and endocrine factors in cancer risk
• Biological effects of air pollutants and non-ionizing radiation

Research

Role of Circadian Disruption in Polyp Formation and Recurrence
Jim Burch (PI)
Agency: Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
Type: Research Career Development Award.
Period: 4/2/2006 - 3/31/2008
Costs: $70,000
Objectives: A prospective, double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized clinical trial will test two hypotheses: 1.) circadian disruption is associated with colorectal polyp development, and 2.) melatonin administration prevents polyp recurrence.

Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Health among Honduran Women: Evaluating Intervention Effectiveness.
Jim Burch (Co-PI)
Agency: College Research Council, Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences.
Period: 10/1/04-9/30/05
Costs: $18,900 Direct, No Indirect
Objectives: This study will quantify residential air pollutant exposures and respiratory health in a population of Honduran women using low emission wood burning stoves and a group of neighborhood controls to determine the effectiveness of an indoor air quality intervention program.

Endotoxin Exposure and Genetic Factors in Organic Dust Lung Disease.
Steve Reynolds (PI), Jim Burch (Co-Investigator)
Agency: National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health Type: R01 Grant.
Period: 9/1/03-8/31/06
Costs: $408,099 Direct, $491,397 Total
Objectives: The primary goals of this study are to: characterize exposure to endotoxin-containing corn dust in a population of workers; evaluate respiratory symptoms, lung function, and immune markers in the same population; identify a measurement method for endotoxin that is the best predictor of these responses; and measure genetic markers to identify workers with increased endotoxin sensitivity.

Shift Work and Endocrine Disruption among Nurses. - In Revision
Jim Burch (PI)
Agency: U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command
Type: Grant - Idea Award.
Period: 1/1/05-12/31/07
Costs: $299,698 Direct, $429,527 Total
Objectives: This study will test the hypothesis that night nurses have lower melatonin and elevated estrogen compared with co-workers on day shifts.

Targeting Circadian Rhythms for Breast Cancer Prevention. - Pending
Jim Burch and Shawn Youngstedt (Project Co-Leaders)
Agency: National Cancer Institute.
Type: Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Human Cancer.
Principal Investigator: James Hebert
Title: South Carolina's Breast Cancer Research Consortium.
Period: 11/1/06-10/31/11.
Project Costs: $767,000 Direct, 1,116,000 Total.
Total SPORE Costs: $10,343,532.
Objectives: Phase 1 of this project will test the hypothesis that women with breast cancer or with elevated breast cancer risks have a greater prevalence of signs and symptoms of circadian disruption compared to low risk women. In Phase 2, A placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial will examine whether morning bright light exposure, evening melatonin administration, or both, can stabilize circadian rhythms, improve sleep and mood, reduce fatigue, boost cellular and innate immunity, and suppress estrogen production.

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Manuscripts:

1. Burch JB, Clark M, Yost G, Fitzpatrick CTE, Ramaprasad J, Bachand A, Reif JS. Radio frequency non-ionizing radiation in a community exposed to radio and television broadcasting. Environ Health Perspect. 114:248-53. 2005.
2. Burch JB, Yost MG, Johnson W. Melatonin, sleep and shift work adaptation. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. 47:893-901. 2005.
3. Ichinose TA, Burch JB, Noonan CW, Yost MG, Keefe TJ, Bachand A, Mandeville R, Reif JS. Immune markers and ornithine decarboxylase activity among electric utility workers. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. 46:104-12. 2004.
4. Reif JS, Burch JB, Nuckols JR, Metzger L, Ellington D, Anger WK. Neurobehavioral effects of exposure to trichloroethylene through a municipal water supply. Environmental Research. 93:248-58. 2003.
5. Burch JB, Reif JS, Noonan CW, Ichinose T, Bachand A, Koleber Tl, Yost MG. Melatonin metabolite excretion among cellular telephone users. International Journal of Radiation Biology. 78 (11): 1029-36. 2002.
6. Noonan CW, Reif JS, Burch JB, Ichinose TA, Yost MG, Magnusson K. Relationship between amyloid beta protein and melatonin metabolite in a study of electric utility workers. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. 44(8):769-775. 2002.
7. Mitsutake G, Otsuka K, Cornelissen G, Herold M, Gunther R, Dawes C, Burch JB, Watson D, Halberg F. Circadian and infradian rhythms in mood. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy. 55:94s-100s. 2001.
8. Burch JB, Reif JS, Noonan CW, Yost MG. Melatonin metabolite levels in workers exposed to 60 Hz magnetic fields: work in substations and with 3-phase conductors. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 42:136-42. 2000. Winner: American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Merit in Authorship Award.
9. Burch JB, Reif JS, Yost MG, Keefe TJ, Pitrat CA. Reduced excretion of a melatonin metabolite in workers exposed to 60 Hz magnetic fields. American Journal of Epidemiology. 150:27-36. 1999.
Burch JB, Reif JS, Yost MG. Geomagnetic disturbances are associated with reduced nocturnal excretion of a melatonin metabolite in humans. Neuroscience Letters. 266:209-212. 1999.
11. Burch JB, Reif JS, Yost MG, Keefe TJ, Pitrat CA. Nocturnal excretion of a urinary melatonin metabolite in electric utility workers. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health. 24:183-9. 1998.
12. Burch JB, DeFiebre CM, Marks MJ, Collins AC. Chronic ethanol or nicotine treatment results in partial cross-tolerance between these agents. Psychopharmacology. 95:452-458. 1988.
13. Collins AC, Burch JB, DeFiebre CM, Marks MJ. Tolerance to and cross-tolerance between ethanol and nicotine. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior. 29:365-374. 1988.
14. Marks MJ, Miner L, Cole-Harding S, Burch JB, and Collins AC. A genetic analysis of nicotine effects on open field activity. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior. 24:743-749. 1986.
15. Howerton TC, Burch JB, O'Connor MF, Miner LL, and Collins AC. A genetic analysis of ethanol, pentobarbital and methyprylon sleep-time response. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 8:546-550. 1984.
16. Marks MJ, Miner L, Burch JB, Fulker DW, and Collins AC. A diallel analysis of nicotine induced hypothermia. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. 21:953-959. 1984.
17. Marks MJ, O'Connor MF, Artman LD, Burch JB, and Collins AC. Chronic scopolamine infusion and cholinergic function. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior. 20:771-77. 1984.
18. Marks MJ, Burch JB, and Collins AC. Effects of chronic nicotine infusion on tolerance development and nicotinic receptors. J. of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 226(3):817-825. 1983.
19. Marks MJ, Burch JB, and Collins AC. Genetics of nicotine response in four inbred strains of mice. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 226(1):291-301. 1983.
20. Marks MJ, Patinkin DM, Artman LD, Burch JB, and Collins AC. Genetic influences on cholinergic drug response. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior. 15:271-279. 1981.

Technical Reports and Proceedings:

1. Reif JS, Burch JB, Yost MG, Bachand A. Human Responses to Residential RF Exposure. Final Report (Grant No: 2 RO1 ES0008117-04). National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC. August, 2005.
2. Burch JB, Walling M, Rush A, Hennesey M, Wells R. Role of Melatonin in the Prevention of Breast Cancer in Patients with Gross Cystic Breast Disease. Final Report. Dept. of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Fort Detrick, MD. 2005.
3. Burch JB, Clark M, Bachand A, Yost MG, Reif JS. Biological Monitoring in a Community Exposed to Radio Frequency Radiation. Revista ABHO (Brazilian Occupational Hygienists Association). December, 2004.
4. Burch JB, Reif JS, Noonan CW, Ichinose TA, van Wijngaarden, E, Yost, MG. Factors Influencing Human Biological Responses to Occupational and Residential Magnetic Field Exposures. Prepared for Platte River Power Authority. Fort Collins, CO. April, 2002.
5. Reif JS, Nuckols JR, Burch JB, Ellington D. Evaluation of Priority Health Conditions in a Community with Historical Contamination by Trichloroethylene. Final Report. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA, July 23, 2000.
6. Burch JB, Reif JS, Noonan CW, Ichinose TA, van Wijngaarden, E, Yost, MG. Human Biological Responses to Occupational and Residential Magnetic Field Exposures. Prepared for Platte River Power Authority. Fort Collins, CO. January, 2000.
7. Burch JB, Metzger L, Reif JS. Prevalence of symptoms and disease in communities surrounding the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. In: Reproductive, Neurobehavioral and Other Disorders in Communities Surrounding the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Final Report. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, U.S. Dept. Health and Human Services. Atlanta, GA. 1995.
8. Ekambaram VV, Burch JB. High performance liquid chromatography as a viable field screening method. Proc. 1st International Symposium on Field Screening Methods for Hazardous Waste Site Investigations. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. pp.361-365. Oct., 1988.