In the News - Articles in which ETOX Faculty are Featured or Prominently Mentioned

Glyphosate structure (from the PubChem database)

Over the past 6 months or so, there have been a number of news articles that have featured the research of ETOX faculty or in which ETOX faculty have been prominently quoted.  Below are brief descriptions and links to these articles. Our congratulations to these faculty on the recognition of their work and expertise. 

"Meet the SoCal professor battling to save dogs from a crippling parasite". An article in the Los Angeles Times on the work of Prof. Adler Dillman and his lab who have identified a parasite targeting dogs that has recently been found in Southern California.  

"Fresh concerns over chemical found in flavoured vape liquid". An article in the Independent on the research of Prof. Prue Talbot and her lab in which they showed that "vanillin, a widely used flavouring additive in e-cigarettes, has the potential to compromise core processes of early human development".

"We Are Bombarding America’s Forests With Roundup". An article in Mother Jones magazine that describes the extensive use of glyphosate in recently planted forests in California. Professor Emeritus David Eastmond is prominently quoted.  

"One Protein Two Roles". An article in Inside UCR on the research of Garrett Anderson, his student and his collaborators describing how alternative splicing allows the protein Adgrl2 to perform different functions in blood vessels and within the blood brain barrier.  

"Scientists are shocked by what’s really in the air we breathe every day". An article in Futura describing the research of Prof. David Volz and his research group in which they have shown that certain phthalate plasticizers are quite common in the air that we breath.  

"Politicians Say Glyphosate Weedkiller Causes Cancer But Evidence Not Clear-Cut". An article on FactCheck.org describing the controversial nature of the reports indicating that glyphosate is a serious public health concern.  Professor Emeritus David Eastmond is prominently quoted.  

Daniel Petras Recognized as a Rising Star in Analytical Chemistry

Daniel Petras, an assistant professor of Biochemistry and an ETOX faculty member, has been named one of the top 40 under 40 researchers in analytical chemistry by the Analytical Scientist, an internet publishing company that covers the field of analytical chemistry. The Top 40 Under 40 Power List recognizes analytical science’s rising stars and showcases the individuals who the publication believes may help define the future of the field. More information about Dr. Petras and this recognition can be found in a recent Inside UCR article.  Our congratulations to Dr. Petras for this nice recognition.  [The photo above is from the Inside UCR article and shows Dr. Petras (on the left) with Dr. Wang, another UCR professor recognized on the Top 40 Under 40 list.]

Prof. Mihri Ozkan Named as a National Invention Ambassador

Mihri Ozkan, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and an ETOX faculty member, has recently been named as a National Invention Ambassador.  The National Invention Ambassadors Network was launched this month by the National Academy of Inventors in partnership with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to create a network bringing together inventors, entrepreneurs, researchers, engineers, university leaders, and industry executives from across the United States. Prof. Ozkan's research focuses on green energy technologies, carbon capture, and sustainable systems. One of her goals is to reduce the carbon footprint of artificial intelligence.  More information on Dr. Ozkan, her research and her appointment can be found in a recent Inside UCR article. Our congratulations to Mihri on this nice recognition.  

UCR Well Represented at the ICEM in Edinburgh Scotland

UCR's ETOX Program was well represented at the International Conference on Environmental Mutagens in Edinburgh, Scotland that took place from Sept. 6-10, 2026.  ETOX alumna Krista Dobo and ETOX Director Linlin Zhao gave presentations, and ETOX alumna Connie Mitchell chaired a session.  Krista Dobo and Dave Eastmond also served on working groups that met as part of the International Working Group on Genotoxicity Testing satellite meeting.  Below are some photos from the event.  I might also mention that Dr. Roland Frötschl of the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices won the 2026 Frits Sobels Award at the meeting.  During his presentation, he acknowledged the contributions and interactions with six UCR-affiliated individuals - four alumni (Krista Dobo, Henghong Li, Connie Mitchell, Jennifer Sasaki), a former postdoc (Maik Schuler) and a faculty member (David Eastmond).  It is nice to see the broad and international impact that we are having. 

Linlin Zhao, David Eastmond and Connie Mitchell

Krista Dobo

Krista Dobo presenting on nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceuticals

Linlin Zhao presenting on DNA damage and transcription in mitochondrial DNA

Connie Mitchell's Work with HESI Botanic Group is Recognized

A paper authored by Errol Zeiger, Connie Mitchell (an ETOX alumna) and selected members of the Botanic Safety Consortium and the Genetic Toxicology Technical Committee of the Health and Environmental Effects Institute (HESI) has recently been recognized as one of the most highly viewed articles in the Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis journal.  Our congratulations to Connie and her co-authors on this nice recognition.  

Daniel Petras Receives a 2026 ASMS Research Award

Daniel Petras, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and an ETOX faculty member, has recently been awarded a 2026 ASMS Research Award by the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS). The ASMS Research award is a highly competitive early-career honors in the field of mass spectrometry and recognizes innovative academic research of tenure-track or research faculty working at a North American university. More information can be found in a recent Inside UCR article.  Our congratulations to Dr. Petras for this nice recognition.  [The photo above is from the Inside UCR article.]

Lauren Walker Selected to Serve in the Women in Toxicology Speciality Section

Dr. Lauren Walker, an ETOX alumna, was recently chosen to serve as a Senior Councilor in the Women in Toxicology (WIT) Speciality Section of the Society of Toxicology.  The 1000-member WIT Specialty section helps promote the recruitment and retention of women into the toxicological sciences, provides leadership for career development opportunities for them, and helps promote and recognize the accomplishments of women toxicologists. More information about Lauren and the other WIT leaders can be found here. Our congratulations to Lauren on this nice recognition.