Researchers Warn of Potential Hazard of Second Hand Vaping Aerosols

ETOX student Wonsik Woo, his advisor Prof. Ying-Hsuan Lin, a professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences and ETOX faculty member, and their collaborators, recently published their research on e-cigarette aerosols, the production of reactive oxygen species within ultra fine particles, and their implications for those exposed to second-hand vapors in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.  As noted in a a recent article in Newsweek magazine on their research, the authors analysis showed "that the aged aerosols went on to create radicals, with ultrafine particles notably producing around 100 times more radicals relative to their weight than larger-grade particles".  The research was the focus of American Chemical Society Chemistry for Life news article.  Our congratulations to Wonsik, Ying-Hsuan and their collaborators for this nice recognition of their work.  [The image above is from the journal article mentioned above.]

Catherine Gibbons Spotlighted by the USEPA

Catherine Gibbons, ETOX alumna who has worked at the USEPA since graduating in 2008, was the spotlighted on the USEPA Science Matters webpage last year.  I only recently became aware of the interview.  It is an enjoyable read and a good introduction to Catherine, and her background and perspectives. Our congratulations to Catherine for this nice recognition. [The photo above is from the USEPA webpage and shows Catherine on top of Paw Paw Tunnel, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Maryland.  Catherine has become an avid bike rider (when she can find the time).  

John Hoang Receives Travel Award from the UCR Emeriti Association

Current ETOX PhD student, John Hoang, recently received a travel award from the UCR Emeriti Association which he will use to attend the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) - Europe meeting in Maastricht, The Netherlands in May.  Our congratulations to John and Tzu-Chia Chen, an Entomology graduate student, who also won a travel award.  [The photo above was generously provided by Cristina Otegui, Director of the UCR Retirement Center.  John Hoang is on the right, Tzu-Chia Chen is in the middle, and Prof. Darleen DeMason who presented the award, is on the right.]

Woo and Zhao Receive Dissertation Completion Fellowships

ETOX students Wonsik Woo and Ting Zhao were awarded Dissertation Completion Fellowships by the UCR Graduate Division.  The awards provide stipend and partial tuition support to help students compels their doctoral dissertations.  A list of this year's recipients can be found on the Inside UCR website. We congratulate Wonsik and Ting, and wish them success as they work to complete their degree.  

ETOX Graduate Student Association Hosts Tox Squad Outreach Event

The Environmental Toxicology Graduate Student Association is hosting an outreach event on Tuesday, Jan. 20 from 5 to 6:30 pm at the Student Recreation Center for K-12 students. The event is entitled Tox Squad and will engage the students in solving a toxic mystery.  We hope it is an enjoyable success.  [The screenshot above is from an ETOX miniGSA Instagram post.]

New Type of DNA Adduct found in Mitochondrial DNA

A new study led by Linlin Zhao, Professor of Chemistry and Director of the ETOX program, that also involved Professors Yinsheng Wang and Chia-En Chang, two other ETOX faculty members and other students and collaborators, identified a previously unknown type of DNA damage within the mitochondria.  It is believed that the newly identified glutathionylated DNA adducts may provide insights into how our bodies sense and respond to stress. The study was recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and was spotlighted in a UCR News article. This work builds upon earlier work conducted by an earlier ETOX graduate student Jiakei Yin and his advisor Yinsheng Wang in which they had identified GSH-DNA adducts in nuclear DNA.  Our congratulations to Linlin, Yinsheng, Chia-En and their collaborators for this important research advance. [The figures above are from their PNAS article.]

Professor Zhou and Colleagues Identify Important RNA Molecule Involved in Cardiovascular Health

A research team led by  Chengchang Zhou, Professor of Biomedical Sciences and an ETOX faculty member has identified a small transfer RNA-derived RNA that plays a major role in controlling cholesterol production within the body and likely plays a role in the development of heart disease.  Their work was recently published in the journal Nature Communications as was the focus of a recent UCR News article.  As described in in a , "the molecule, named tsRNA-Glu-CTC, could be a potential new target for future therapies aimed at lowering high cholesterol." Our congratulations to Chengchang and his colleagues for this important discovery which may open new therapeutic avenues understanding and treating cardio metabolic diseases.  [The figure above is from their Nature Communications article.]