Gonzalez and Wang Help Identify New Enzyme Involved with COVID-19 Infection

Dr. Gwendolyn Gonzalez, ETOX alumna and Yinsheng Wang, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and ETOX faculty member, were part of a research team led by Tariq Rana of UC San Diego that identified a new enzyme called, as described in the UC San Diego Today article, "phosphorylated CTD-interacting factor 1 or PCIF1, which regulates cellular entry through the mediation of N6,2-O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am) activity, an evolutionarily conserved and abundant mRNA modification. The researchers found that PCIF1 promotes the stability of both ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNAs, sustaining two key entry factors for SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses."  Their article has recently been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.  Our congratulations to Gwendolyn and Yinsheng for this recognition of their important work.   

Photo credit of human cell (purple) infected with SARS-COV-2 virus particles shown in yellow: NIH at https://www.nih.gov/2020/20200804-covid.jpg-1

UCR Scientists Uncover Method to Destroy "Forever" Chemicals

Haizhou Liu, professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and ETOX faculty member, led a research effort which uncovered a method to rapidly destroy poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are so resistant to environmental degradation that they are often called "forever" chemicals.  Jay Gann, another ETOX faculty member, was also a member of the research team.  The research was published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters, and has been featured in a variety of news articles including those from UCR News, Salon, Vice and others.  Our congratulations to, Jay and the other members of the research team.  

Oil and Gas Toxicologist Position Available at CalEPA in Sacramento or Oakland

The Air and Climate Epidemiology Section (ACES) of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), part of California Environmental Protection Agency, is searching for an oil and gas toxicologist to work either in their Sacramento or Oakland (Bay Area) office.  ACES provides technical support for the analysis of benefits and impacts in communities from greenhouse gas limits adopted by the Air Resources Board (ARB), analysis of health risks from oil and gas operations, and the identification of California communities burdened by multiple sources of pollution and population vulnerabilities.  ACES also provides technical assistance to other programs in OEHHA, CalEPA, and other California government entities. This position supports OEHHA’s work in collaboration with ARB to identify hazards and characterize potential risks in California communities from ongoing oil and gas production activities and from unanticipated events such as the natural gas leak at Aliso Canyon.

Under general direction of the Senior Toxicologist, the Staff Toxicologist (Specialist) to be hired will act as a subject matter expertise in health risks from chemicals associated with oil and gas production, leading the development of assessments of nearby communities based on air monitoring data collected by ARB as well other relevant information.

More information on the Sacramento position can be found on the CalCareers website.

Similarly, information on the Oakland position can also be found on the CalCareers website.