Faculty News Update

Over the past several months, there have been a number of significant events that have involved the ETOX Program faculty. Several notable ones are listed below.

Bill Jury, a renowned scientist and expert in chemical movement through soils, retired from the university at the end of June, and has now joined the ranks of the emeritus faculty.

Andrew Chang, an agricultural engineer and director of the UC Center of Water Resources, retired earlier this year, and has also joined the emeritus faculty ranks. We wish both Bill and Andrew the best as they begin this new phase of life.

Lisa Stein, an environmental microbiologist in the Department of Environmental Sciences, has accepted an offer from the University of Alberta in Canada, and will soon be leaving UCR to join the faculty there. We will miss her.

Paul Ziemann, professor of Environmental Sciences, as accepted the position of Director of the Air Pollution Research Center. He replaces Roger Atkinson who has served as the Director for 13 years. We wish Paul success in leading APRC.

David Eastmond, currently the Program chair, has accepted the position as Chair of the Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience. He replaces Sarjeet Gill who will be going on sabbatical leave this upcoming year. Until a replacement is identified, Dave will be chairing both organizations.

Photos from the Annual Student Symposium 2008

This year's annual student symposium took place on Tuesday June 17. There were 24 superb student presentations as well as a hosted lunch and evening reception. Catherine Gibbons won the T. Roy Fukuto award, Melinda Bigelow Dyk and Noriko Nishino were honorable mentions, and Katy Zimmermann received the award for best 1st year student presentation. Dr. Sam Wilson, Acting Director of NIEHS and the National Toxicology Program, and Dr. Sharon Hrynkow, Associate Director of NIEHS, were visiting campus, and agreed to come and make a few remarks at the end of the symposium. Dr. Wilson is an expert in DNA repair and is probably the highest ranking toxicologist in government. Dr. Hrynkow, a neuroscientist by training, has extensive experience in science policy and international outreach. It was nice to hear from them and be able to visit with them in an informal setting. The seminar committee did a great job in planning and organizing the event. Our thanks go to Dawn Huffman and the members of the Student Symposium Committee (Dr. Paul Ziemann, Seminar Chair, Dr. Janet Arey, Dr. Wenwan Zhong, Chris Banks, JP Baquiran, Karla Pliego, and Lynnie Cua and Mae Nillos) for organizing the Symposium and Reception. Photos from the event are posted below.

Dr. Sam Wilson

Dr. Sharon Hrynkow
Drs. Wilson and Hrynkow responding to questions
Bob Krieger receiving the Mentor Award
Award winners: Katy Zimmermann, Noriko Nishino, Catherine Gibbons and Melinda Bigelow Dyk (with Dave Eastmond behind)
Kelly Thrippleton announcing the student choice awards

Katy Zimmerman, Wesley Hunter, Chris Banks, Kristy Richardson, Kelly Thrippleton

Catherine Gibbons, this year's Fukuto award winner.

Greetings and a photo from alumnus Eric Kwok

Eric Kwok (Ph.D., 1993) is currently working at California Department of Pesticide Regulation and sends the following greeting and photo of himself with his two children (above).

“Greeting ETOX Professors and Students. At work, another year of happy risk assessment has completed. At home, my older girl is going to kindergarten this fall and her younger brother starts talking to her in mandarin that I have problems understanding. Anyhow, happy student seminar day and good luck to you all.”

News and a photo from alumna Tracey Varvel

Tracy Varvel (M.S., 2003) is currently working at Ana-Lab Corporation in Kilgore, Texas. She recently sent the photo of her son (above) and the following news update for the annual student symposium. It is nice to hear from her, and it sounds like she is busy but doing well.

My husband and I welcomed our first child July 1, 2007. His name is Mark and he an extremely active little boy. He has been a blessing. Brett and I wonder now why we waited so long to have children.

I returned to work after maternity leave to a new position: Assistant Manager Quality Assurance. The new position and extra responsibilities have been a challenge, especially with a new baby at home. After several months, I am still feeling my way around and trying to get everything organized in my department.

I wish everyone the best of luck with their presentations.

Tracey Varvel
Ana-Lab Corporation

New Triennial Salary Survey of Toxicologists Published

Every three years, for the past 20 or so years, Shayne Gad and others such as the Society of Toxicology have conducted a salary survey of toxicologists. The latest survey results obtained from over 3400 toxicologists are available on the SOT website in their newsletter (Communique) and can be accessed by clicking. Hopefully you will find this information to be helpful.

Update and photo from alumna Sharada Balakrishnan

Sharada Balakrishnan (Ph.D., 2002) sends the following update and photo of her husband Nara and their twins (or a photo of the 3 boys as she describes it).

I still work with Wella Corp. (now P&G Professional Care). I completed my DABT certification last year and continue to work on human safety risk assessments of ingredients and finished hair care products. In addition, I work with the Genetox group on genotoxicity assays for hair dyes and other materials. This location of Product Safety and Regulatory Affairs will close in August. I will look for another job in the meantime. At the home front, Arya and Arav are growing up fast (2+ yrs old now) and keeping us super busy. Nara continues to work close to home (which is a blessing).

Wishing all the very best to the graduate students and the professors of the ETOX program. Enjoy the seminar day.

Best Regards,

Sharada

Richardson and Cua Named Outstanding TAs

Lynnie Cua and Kristy Richardson were recently named outstanding Teaching Assistants for this year. Lynnie was recognized for her teaching in the Microbiology program and Kristy for her teaching in the Biology major. Congratulations to both Lynnie and Kristy for this nice recognition.