Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Riverside, California

Prof. Talbot and Bailey-Serres Named as Highly Cited Researchers

Environmental Toxicology Program faculty members Prof. Prue Talbot and Julia Bailey-Serres, have been recognized by being placed on the 2020 Highly Cited Researcher list compiled by Clarivate Analytics.  The list contains the researchers who have published multiple highly-cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and year in the Web of Science.  More information can be found on the UCR News website or on the Clarivate Web of Science website. Our congratulations to both Prue and Julia for this nice recognition.   

Prof. Curras-Collazo's Research on PBDEs is Highlighted

Prof. Maggie Curras-Collazo's research on polybrominated diphenyl ethers, a widespread class of pollutants, was recently highlighted in UCR News and other news outlets.  The research conducted by Elena Kozlova, Dr. Curras-Collazo and associates and published in the journal Scientific Reports and showed that female mice exposed in utero and through their mother's milk developed diabetes at higher frequencies than unexposed control mice.  The UCR News article on their study can be found here.  Our congratulations to Maggie and her research group for this nice study.  

California Department of Pesticide Regulation is Seeking Two Toxicologists

The California EPA Department of Pesticide Regulation is looking to hire two associate toxicologists  for its Toxicology and Dose Response Team.  As described by the agency, it is "seeking individuals with advanced degrees in toxicology, pharmacology, or biochemical/biological sciences. The work involves conducting systematic reviews of in vitro and in vivo of pesticide toxicology as well as modeling or otherwise quantifying dose-response relationships. More information can be found at 

https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=227470

 

The final filing date is January 29, 2021 and the salary range is $6050 - 8259/mo, depending on education and experience.

 

DPR offers a collegial, diverse, and challenging work environment that promotes individual thought, problem solving, and critical analysis. We are seeking new team members to help contribute to our mission of protecting public health and the environment, and affect real change in California and beyond.

Our thanks to Shelley DuTeaux for providing this information.  

Sara Vliet Receives Yves Alarie Diversity Award

ETOX alumna Sara Vliet has received the 2020 Yves Alarie Diversity Award for Trainees and Young Investigators from the Society of Toxicology's Computational Toxicology Specialty Section.  The goal of the award, named after long-time SOT member Prof. Yves Alarie, is to enhance the professional development of the trainee or new investigator.  Sara has indicated that she plans to use the award to help cover the cost of attending the SOT annual meeting, other scientific conferences and participating in virtual training to increase her computational toxicology skills.  More information can be found here.  Our congratulations to Sara for this nice recognition.  

Sara will also be speaking in a webinar sponsored by the Computational Toxicology Specialty Section.  The details are below.  

Government and Academic Initiatives using AOPs, Endocrine Predictions, and Deep Neural Network Modeling

Date and Time: December 2, 2020 at 11:00 AM EST (1 hour)

Registration is required

Sara Vliet, PhD
US EPA
Title: Predictive Approaches for Assessing Cross-Species Conservation of Endocrine Targets
Winner of the 2020 Yves Alarie Diversity Award for Trainees and Young Investigators

ORISE Internships and Fellowships Webinars

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is a conduit for hundreds of internships and fellowships within the U.S. Government. It will be hosting a series of webinars to highlight "the 700-plus STEM, technical, and policy internships and fellowships available through ORISE at federal facilities nationwide! Opportunities are available in a variety of fields for college students, recent graduates, postdocs, and faculty.

They invite interested individuals to join them at one of the following upcoming virtual info sessions:" 

• November 18, 2020, 2 p.m. ET
• December 16, 2020, 2 p.m. ET
• January 20, 2021, 2 p.m. ET

Click here to register.  

Andrew Olaharski Selected as Fellow in the Academy of Toxicological Sciences

ETOX alumnus (and all around great guy) Andrew Olaharski has recently been selected to become a Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences.  ATS fellows are selected based on an exemplary record of professional accomplishment, professional appointments in the field, and extensive evidence of recognition of competence and sound judgment in toxicology by their peers.  Drew currently serves as the Executive Director and Head of Toxicology for Erasca, a company focused on developing new therapies to target cancer. Our congratulations to Drew for this distinguished and well deserved recognition.  

Multiple positions - EPA and FDA

 The US EPA and FDA have open positions for toxicologists or those with related expertise.  These are listed below with the links where more information can be found.  

EPA - multiple postdoctoral positions related to PFAS.  Some of these are on ecological effects and some on chemical assessments and human health effects.  More information can be found here.  

FDA - a early career position for an individual with molecular and cell biology experience in a project to predict drug effects.  More information can be found here.  

EPA - Environmental Protection Specialist position for a recent graduate.  This is a one-year position that may lead to a permanent position.  The closing date is Oct. 26, 2020.  More information can be found here.

Our thanks to ETOX alumnus Efrem Neuwirth for providing the information.     

Toxicologist and Environmental Scientist Positions at DTSC

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control is actively recruiting toxicologists and environmental scientists to work in its Safer Consumer Products program located in the California EPA building in Sacramento.  More information on both positions can be found here.  

Toxicology and Risk Assessment Positions in the States of Washington and Minnesota

 Applications are being accepted for a toxicologist position within the State of Washington's Department of Ecology as part of their Safer Products initiative.  For more information and to apply, follow this link.  

The State of Minnesota's Pollution Control Agency is also looking for a human health risk assessor.  Follow this link for more information and to apply.  

Our thanks to alumnus Efrem Neuwirth for letting us know about the positions.  

Prof. Samantha Ying's Research on Manganese Highlighted in UCR News

Prof. Samantha Ying, a professor in the Environmental Sciences Department and ETOX faculty member,  in collaboration with Prof. Kurt Schwabe have recently received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the prevalence of manganese in private wells in the United States and to begin an initial investigation to determine if there are adverse health effects associated with Mn exposure. Their research in this area has been highlighted in UCR News. Our congratulations to Drs. Ying and Schwabe on their new grant and for this recognition of their research.  

 

Prof. Yinsheng Wang Receives RIVER Award from NIEHS

Professor Yinsheng Wang, faculty member of the Chemistry Department and ETOX faculty member, was one of six scientists selected nationally by the NIEHS to receive a Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental Health Research, or RIVER, award.  This prestigous award provides 8 years of funding to established researchers and supports groundbreaking projects in environmental health sciences.  With the award, Yinsheng and his laboratory will study how alkylated DNA lesions affect genomic stability and can lead to disease. More information can be found here.  Our congratulations to Yinsheng for this impressive award and recognition.  

Principal Investigator/Supervisor Position Available in New Hampshire

 A principal investigator/supervisor position is available in the Environmental Health Program (EHP) at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services in Concord, New Hampshire. The EHP assesses the health impacts of toxic chemicals in the environment.  The successful candidate will plan, coordinate, and supervise the administration of environmental health risk assessment program, manage comprehensive risk assessment services for the State, interpret public health guidance and policies, and provide expert technical assistance within NHDES.  To apply and get more information, go to the NH State Jobs website and select the "Search for Jobs" tab in the upper left corner, and enter "40339" as the Job ID to view the full job posting.  Our thanks for ETOX alumnus Efrem Neuwirth for letting us know about this opportunity.  

 

Postdoctoral/Staff Scientist Position Available

A postdoctoral researcher or staff scientist position investigating molecular mechanisms underlying cardiovascular and metabolic diseases is available in the lab of Prof. ChengChang Zhou, a Biomedical Sciences and Environmental Toxicology faculty member, at UC Riverside.  If interested, more information can be found at this link to the Science Careers webpage.    

Prof. Adler Dillman receives an R35 Outstanding Investigator Award from the NIH

Adler Dillman, an associate professor in the Department of Nematology and Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program faculty member, recently received a Maximizing Investigators' Research Award for Early Stage Investigators from the NIH for his research on how parasitic worms escape immune detection.  The R35 award is unusual in that it funds a research investigator rather than a specific project, and over the 5-year period of the award will allow Adler and his research group to pursue new directions as opportunities arise.  More information on the award and Adler's research can be found at the UCR News website. The news release was also picked up by Google News as I first saw it there.  Our congratulations to Adler!  We wish him continued success in his research. 

Prof. Manuela Martins-Green Recognized for Service to the UC Academic Senate

Prof. Manuela Martins-Green, chair of the Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology and Environmental Toxicology faculty member, recently received the 2020 Oliver Johnson Award for Distinguished Leadership in the Academic Senate.  The Johnson award is the highest award given by the University of California to a University of California faculty member who has performed outstanding service to the Academic Senate at both the campus and systemwide levels. Dr. Martins-Green is the first UC Riverside professor to win this award in more than two decades.  Our congratulations to Manuela for the award and our thanks for her ongoing service.  

Surprise Retirement Zoom Gathering for Prof. Eastmond's Retirement

Monday June 29 marked my (Dave Eastmond's) last day as a full-time faculty member at UC Riverside.  Without my knowledge, my former graduate students and alumni from the Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program organized a Zoom meeting at 5 pm in recognition of my years at UCR.  It was a really nice occasion, and fun to see and hear from the many students and post docs who have moved forward and advanced in their careers. They also sent me a nice floral arrangement.  Some screenshots from the event are shown below.  A special thanks to Sharada, Virunya, and Naomi for organizing the reunion, and also to Elizabeth, my wife, who coordinated things at home to keep me in the dark.  

2020 Annual Symposium Held by Videoconference

On Monday June 15, 2020, the Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program held its annual student symposium by Zoom videoconference.  It was an outstanding event being well organized and showing a lot of creativity during these challenging times.  In addition to being a video conference, the format differed this year in a number of other ways.  The more senior students presented their research during the Spring quarter during the seminar series.  The symposium consisted of a smaller number of oral presentations as well as an online poster session (which I might mention was outstanding with online posters, a prerecorded explanation of the poster by the student and a Zoom link during the poster session where one could speak to the student and ask questions).  In addition, there was a raffle, a yoga session just before lunch and a presentation of awards and recognition of recent graduates.  The symposium was well attended; I counted 60 people connected during the final award session.  Winners of the various awards are shown below.

We would like to especially recognize Victoria (Tori) McGruer who, with Prof. Ying-Hsuan Wang and Prof. Wenwan Zhong (shown in red below), took the lead in organizing the symposium.



Various screen shots illustrating aspects of the event.

 

Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award to Dr. Nicole zur Nieden

Last Lecture in my Risk Assessment class

Today was a historic day for me (David Eastmond). I finished teaching the last of my 10-week class on risk assessment by Zoom. The class was pretty successful but I (and I think the students) prefer in-person instruction.  I had an excellent group of 18 students this quarter. It is also the last class that I will be teaching as a full-time faculty member as, after 30 years, I will be retiring from UC Riverside at the end of the month. I may teach in the future but it will be on a part-time basis. I still have to correct papers and assign grades so I am not done yet.

Prue Talbot Awarded Grant to Study Coronavirus-related Infection

Prof. Prue Talbot, a Environmental Toxicology faculty member, has recently been awarded a seed grant to study the effect of electronic cigarettes on the Angiotensin converting enzyme-2 receptor on the respiratory epithelium, leading to more binding sites for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, and increasing the possibility of infection.  More information can be found at the InsideUCR webpage.  Our congratulations to Prue and her research group.  We wish them success.

Roxana Coreas Selected for UC President's Pre-professoriate Fellowship

Roxana Coreas, an ETOX PhD student working with Prof. Wenwan Zhong, was selected for a new Pre-Professoriate Fellowship created by the President of the University of California.  The fellowship is part of a newly established UC-Hispanic Serving Institutions Doctoral Diversity Initiative which aims to enhance faculty diversity and pathways to the professoriate for underrepresented students from California Hispanic Serving Institutions.  Our congratulations to Roxana for this nice recognition.

Toxicologist position at FDA in College Park, MD

A staff fellow position for a regulatory review scientist is currently available in the FDA Office of Food Additive Safety (OFAS), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). The position requires a Ph.D. in toxicology, pharmacology, biology, or similar field with relevance to public health. In addition to the forestated qualifications, the applicant must have experience in reproductive/teratologic toxicology and metabolism. 

OFAS’s mandate is to ensure that food ingredients and additives are safe for their intended use. More information on OFAS can be found at the FDA website: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-ingredients-packaging

Some of the duties include:

• Review and technical evaluation of regulatory and scientific issues regarding food ingredients, direct additives and indirect additives.
  
• Review reproductive/developmental toxicology study data (including teratology data) and metabolism data related to safety evaluation of food ingredients, direct additives, and indirect additives
  
• Evaluates toxicological data and information submitted to the Agency by notifiers, petitioners, or from other sources, which pertain to the safety of food ingredients and additives.
  

Additional information on the staff fellow program is available at https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/scientific-internships-fellowships-trainees-and-non-us-citizens/fdas-staff-fellowship-program. Please submit CVs for consideration or additional questions regarding the open position to Jason Aungst at Jason.Aungst@fda.hhs.gov.

EPA Looking to Fill Multiple Positions in North Carolina

The EPA is hosting a series of hiring webinars to give the public an overview of the U.S. EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) and tell them about the 30+ positions that it is currently recruiting to fill in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The next webinar is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2:00 pm (EST) and the 3rd is scheduled for Thursday, April 30 at 2 pm (EST). Here is the link to the webinars. More information from the EPA is below.

OCSPP Job Opportunities:

We are currently recruiting a team of interdisciplinary scientists to work on TSCA risk assessment requirements and pesticide risk assessments. We are seeking scientists with backgrounds in toxicology, biology, chemistry, physical science, engineering, and epidemiology to support the expansion of the office beyond the Washington, DC metropolitan area. At the entry level of these positions, you will review, research, and analyze data related to understanding the hazards, exposure, fate and transport, and the potential for exposure and risk during manufacture, processing, and use of chemicals, pesticides, nanomaterials and biological agents, and support risk management efforts. Starting salary for a GS-9 employee is $54,976.00 per year at Step 1. Starting salary for a GS-11 employee is $66,515.00 per year at Step 1. To learn more about EPA’s chemical safety office, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-chemical-safety-and-pollution-prevention-ocspp. For information on federal benefits, visit: https://www.epa.gov/careers/salaries-and-benefits.

Toxicologist Positions at the EPA Region 8 Office in Denver, CO

The US Environmental Protection Agency is searching for toxicologists to fill positions in their Region 8 office in Denver, CO.  These require a bachelors degree with training in the sciences and coursework in toxicology. Both also appear to require one year of work or volunteer experience.  More information can be found here and here.  Note that the deadlines for applications are April 14 and April 21. [Our thanks to UCR alumnus Patrick Wilson who passed on the information about the positions.]

Internships for Graduate Students at the EPA

The US Environmental Protection Agency has paid internship positions available at its Washington, DC offices.  The positions are described as being in administration and are limited to US citizens.  The deadline for applications is tomorrow, April 9, 2020 so if interested you will need to move fast.  More information can be found here. 

Postdoctoral Positions at the EPA

The US Environmental Protection Agency has multiple open postdoctoral positions in areas related to environmental toxicology.  These include positions in their Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, the Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, and their Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment.  More details can be found here.  Applications will be accepted until April 16, 2020.  [My thanks to my colleague Sunni Ivey for the information.]

EPA Position for New and Recent Graduates in its Drinking Water Division

The US EPA (through ORISE) is searching for US citizens at the BS, MS or PhD level who have graduated within the past 5 years (or who will graduate by June 1) to apply for a position in its Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW) located in Washington, DC.  As described in its announcement, the project will focus on conducting drinking water data analysis and policy evaluation relating to health effects, occurrence, and treatment technologies of drinking water contaminants including microbes, disinfection by-products, as well as emerging contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and cyanotoxins.  More information can be found here and at the ORISE Virtual Outreach Fair described in the previous post.

ORISE Virtual Outreach Fair

 From a email that I recently received.  Note that this event is intended for college students and recent graduates, and that the agencies listed employ a significant number of toxicologists.

On March 25, from 12 to 3 p.m. ET, the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is hosting a virtual outreach fair to highlight the variety of paid internships, fellowships and research associate appointments available within our Research Participant Programs.  

During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to:

CHAT with scientists and mentors from government agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and more! 

LEARN about the research conducted within those agencies.

EXPLORE our paid internships and research associate appointments.

CONNECT with recruiters and get your questions answered.

You can register here.  

Danielle Stevenson Receives Honorable Mention in the 2020 Grad Slam Competition

Earlier this month, Danielle Stevenson, an ETOX graduate student working with Samantha Ying, an assistant professor of soil biogeochemistry, competed in the UCR 2020 Grad Slam competition during which graduate students give short "elevator" pitches to explain their research to a general audience.  Danielle described her work on microrrhizal fungi that can block the uptake of metals and increase crop yields, and received an honorable mention.  More information can be found on the Inside UCR webpage.  Our congratulations to Danielle (fourth from the left in red in the above picture) for competing in the contest and receiving this nice recognition.  [The photo is from the Stan Lim/UCR).

UCR Campus Closed Until April 30

In light of the ongoing pandemic, the University of California, Riverside is taking steps to limit exposure to the virus and reduce illness among its students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Under the direction of the Public Health Officer of Riverside County, UCR has been ordered to close all but a limited number of critical functions within the university.  Some ongoing research may be considered to be critical, but much of it will likely be curtailed until the most infectious period of the pandemic has passed or protective measures can be put in place.  The closure will last until April 30th but it is possible that it will continue past that time. All Spring Quarter classes will be taught online, most through videoconferencing. Graduate students will continue to work towards their degrees working, in most cases, on writing, data analysis and other activities that they can do from home. We hope that the steps that the university, the government, and all of us are taking will limit the progression of the disease, and allow campus to re-open soon.  We hope you all remain safe and healthy.

 

Unpaid Internship positions at EPA in human health risk assessment and science policy

The following was forwarded to me by ETOX alum, Catherine Gibbons who works at the EPA.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA) is pleased to announce an exciting educational opportunity geared toward students and post-doctoral trainees. This program affords trainees to learn more about the intersection of science research and science policy, and work with EPA human health risk assessment scientists and staff starting this summer. Participants of this opportunity would work closely with CPHEA staff as part of a team conducting an assessment. Through this process students would learn about risk assessment (e.g. hazard identification, mode of action analysis, dose-response analysis), systematic review, and new computational tools being utilized in evidence analysis. These non-laboratory positions are ideal for students interested in learning more about the application of toxicological, epidemiological, and environmental research to support science decisions related to risk assessment.

CHPEA is currently seeking applications for student and post-doctoral interns for Summer 2020. Given the necessary lead time for onboarding, we encourage interested participants to submit their application by April 15^th, 2020.  

Eligibility Requirements:

The applicant must be enrolled in good standing in a degree-seeking program (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree) at an accredited U.S. educational institution. Students must be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited college or university. Participants are required to show proof of enrollment and provide a

completed resume. 

The program will be for a minimum of 10 weeks, and 10-15 hours per week. This is an unpaid educational opportunity for academic credit. The participant does not become an EPA employee.

How to Apply:  Interested students should email a statement of interest/cover letter (no more than 1 page), proof of enrollment, and resume/CV to: Amanda Persad persad.amanda@epa.gov.Amanda Persad (persad.amanda@epa.gov) or Dahnish Shams (shams.dahnish@epa.gov). In the subject line, reference ‘CPHEA Education Program’. The statement of interest should clearly identify your academic and professional interests. EPA will accept applicants on a rolling basis. 

Feel free to contact Amanda Persad (persad.amanda@epa.gov) or Dahnish Shams (shams.dahnish@epa.gov) for call-in information for the upcoming sessions or for general inquiries regarding this program.

Environmental Toxicologist/Scientist Position in Davis California

Blankinship and Associates, an environmental consulting and engineering firm, located in Davis, California is looking for an environmental toxicologist or environmental scientist to join their group.  They are looking for a scientist with either an undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant field.  More information can be found on their Linkedin page.  

Cancer Inducing Flame Retardant Increases with Commute Time in UCR Students

The research of ETOX student Aaly Reddam, Professor Dave Volz and collaborators on exposure of UCR students to organophosphate flame retardants in vehicles while commuting has recently been published in the journal Environment International.  One key finding of their research was that exposure to tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP), a flame retardant on the state of California's list of carcinogens, increased with the length of the students' commute.  Their work has been highlighted in UCR News and also picked by other news aggregators.  Our congratulations to Aaly and Dave for their publication and the recognition that it is getting.   [The photo from the graphical abstract of their journal article shows the blue silicone wristband which was used to monitor the students' exposures.]

Dimethyl Selenide-containing Aerosols Alter Transcription of Human Lung Cells

ETOX students Sabbir Ahmed and Jin Chen, Professors Tara Nordgren, Ying-Hsuan and Roya Bahreini and their collaborators recently published the results of their research on the transcriptional effects of dimethyl selenide-containing aerosols and their effects on the mRNA of human airway epithelial cells.  In addition, they characterized the chemical composition of secondary organic aerosols formed from the oxidation of dimethyl selenide by hydroxyl radicals and ozone in controlled chamber experiments.  Their results were published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology and have recently been highlighted in UCR News.  Our congratulations to these students and faculty for the recognition that their research is receiving.  [I saw reference to it in one of the news emails that I received this morning.  The illustration above is from their article in EST.]

Internship positions at DTSC in Sacramento

ETOX Alumnus Scott Coffin forwarded the information below.

DTSC is hiring two interns for this summer for the Safer Consumer Products program.  While the positions are listed through Sacramento State University’s UEI program, students that attend schools on their affiliation list (link below) are eligible to apply. UCR ETOX students may apply.

Link to positions: https://ueijobs.peopleadmin.com/postings/15794

Filing deadline: February 28, 2020 (must include required documents + supplemental questions listed in the job posting)

Description: Graduate Student Assistant – Scientific Research Support for DTSC’s Safer Consumer Products Program (2 positions, undergrads also considered). Part-time, temporary, non-benefited.

Qualifications: Must be a student studying biochemistry, molecular biology, biological science, chemical engineering, chemistry, environmental science, health science, or natural sciences at one of the schools on the affiliation list, found here: https://www.calinterns.org/wp-content/uploads/Affiliation_List.pdf.

Pay & Hours: $13.00-$22.02 per hour. Students can work 40 hours/week when on break, 20 hours/week during the academic year.

Location: Sacramento (CalEPA HQ building)

Duties and Responsibilities: Collecting, analyzing, and evaluating scientific literature; utilizing databases, models, software tools and other sources of reliable information to research possible alternative chemicals for consumer products. Preparing and presenting findings. Maintaining content of databases. Developing content for public engagement. Performing administrative duties.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience using online research tools. Experience analyzing scientific data and preparing complex technical reports. Familiarity with data science methods (data mining, database programming, information tool development, etc.). Familiarity with systematic review and green chemistry concepts. Ability to solve problems creatively and effectively.

Toxicologist Position in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is accepting applications for a toxicologist position within its Environmental Site and Contamination Unit of the Toxicology and Response section.  More information can be found here.  The posting closes on Feb. 7, 2020. 

Consumption of Soybean Oil Results in Transcription Changes in the Mouse Brain

Research by former ETOX postdoctoral fellow Poonam Deol, ETOX professors Maggie Curras-Collazo, Frances Sladek, and current ETOX graduate student Gwendolyn Gonzalez and their collaborators have shown the the consumption of a diet containing soybean oil, the most commonly consumed dietary oil in the United States results in transcriptional changes in the hypothalamus of mice.  The transcripts of approximately 100 genes were shown to be affected including the Oxt, the gene that codes oxytocin. Their paper has been accepted for publication in the journal Endocrinology and spotlighted in UCR News.  Our congratulations to Poonam, Maggie, Frances and Gwendolyn for completing this intriguing research. [The above photo showing Poonam Deol (seated) and Frances Sladek (standing) was taken by Iqbal Pittalwala of UC Riverside.]

My Hua and Prue Talbot's Research in eCigarettes and Lung Injury Highlighted

The research of My Hua, an ETOX graduate student (on left), Prof. Prue Talbot (standing) and their collaborators on injury occurring in the lungs of e-cigarette users has been highlighted in UCR News.  My and her co-workers used data mining techniques to search online discussion boards to identify lung injury reported by e-cigarette users.  They identified reports of lung injury that were posted 7 years ago - well before the latest series of reports of lung injury in e-cigarette users.  Our congratulations to My and Prue for this latest recognition of their research.  More information can be found here.  [The photo was taken by Iqbal Pittalwala of UCR for the article.]