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Germ cell tumors can occur in children, adolescents, and young adults. Remarkably, these cancers begin in the fetus, before birth. About 10,000 new germ cell cancers are diagnosed annually in the US, and the incidence is increasing. An individual's genetic make-up, early development, and environmental exposures all affect the risk for germ cell cancer, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, due in part to a lack of research models. Dr. Weiss and colleagues will use a model that accurately recapitulates germ cell cancers and will test how risk factors, including both genetic and developmental factors, promote germ cell cancers to study environmental factors like forever chemicals and pesticides that have been linked to increased germ cell cancer incidence. By testing risk factors and understanding how they act, Dr. Weiss and colleagues will identify new approaches to detect and prevent these cancers in pediatric and young adult populations.