Annual Student Symposium and Award Winners

On June 21, the Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program held its Annual Student Symposium.  I was only able to attend during the morning session but the presentations that I saw were all very good.  The winners of the best student presentation awards and the titles of their presentations are listed below. 

T. Roy Fukuto Outstanding Student Presentation

Shuo Liu, “Quantitative analysis of Tet-induced oxidation products of 5-methylcytosine in human cells and mammalian tissues”

Honorable mention

Monique Williams, “Evaluation of the design, performance, and emissions of electronic cigarettes”

Honorable mention

Eric Stephens, “Analysis of cell surface membrane proteins in a metastatic melanoma cell line”

Honorable mention

Lindley Maryoung, “Molecular and physiological impacts of hypersaline acclimitation on the sublethal toxicity of chlorpyrifos to salmonid olfaction”

Best presentation by a 1^st year student

Nicole Sparks, “Predicting skeletal teratogenicity: An alternative approach with pluripotent stem cells”

Students' Choice Award
Ashley Swanson, "In-Vitro Replication Studies of Ribonucleotides in DNA"

The outstanding faculty mentor award was presented by the students to Prof. Jay Gan. 

Our congratulations to these students and Dr. Gan for their fine work and excellent presentations.

Below are a few pictures from the event. 

 

ETOX Program Director Yinsheng Wang with Prof. Dan Schlenk looking on. 

 From the left: Lindley Maryoung, Yinsheng Wang, Eric Stephens, Nicole Sparks, and Shuo Liu

Students' Choice award winner - Ashley Swanson

Summer internship opportunity at Janssen Pharmaceuticals in La Jolla, CA

Below is the message that I receive today about the summer internship opportunity.  If interested, please follow the instructions below. 

Dear All:
We have a student summer internship position here at our Janssen Pharmaceuticals’ La Jolla site. The project involves developing a sertoli cell model for drug transport, requires application of primary cell culture techniques, small animal handling experience, as well as general familiarity with standard lab instrumentation and techniques. Southern California based candidates are encouraged to apply. Deadline for applications is May 27th, 2013.

If you have or know a student who may be interested, please email your CV to either Dr Peter Ward at : PWard4@its.jnj.com or myself at: andifor@its.jnj.com

Regards,
Tony Ndifor

Marylynn Yates' Research is highlighted on UCR website

There is a nice write-up about the research and expertise of ETOX faculty member and Dean Marylynn Yates that can be found on the UCR Living the Promise website.  There is also a short video clip where Marylynn discusses water and water quality issues.  I recommend taking a look to find out more about this talented researcher, teacher, and leader. 

ETOX Faculty Featured in College Science Lecture Series

The College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is sponsoring a lecture series focusing on the Science of Disease.  Three of the Environmental Toxicology faculty are featured - Marylynn Yates who is currently serving as Dean of the College, Yinsheng Wang, the director of the ETOX Graduate program, and Nicole zur Nieden, an assistant professor who works in stem cell research.  A flyer describing the presentations and the dates and times is shown below.  The talks are intended for a lay audience but should be excellent. 

More information on Yinsheng Wang's upcoming lecture can be found here.

Retirement Reception for Janet Arey and Roger Atkinson

On Thursday, April 25 the Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program and the Department of Environmental Sciences held a program and a reception to recognize the many contributions of Prof. Janet Arey and Roger Atkinson who have recently retired from UC Riverside after 30+ years of service.  Paul Ziemann started the program an overview of the professional careers of Dr. Arey and Dr. Atkinson interspersed with some great photos of them over the years.  His presentation was followed by brief comments by Sara Aschmann, Yinsheng Wang, Michael Anderson and Noriko Nishino.  David Eastmond, then presented each of them with an engraved glass plaque recognizing their extraordinary service to their students, their profession and the University as well as some other gifts provided by many generous individuals.  The program was followed by a reception where the students, alumni, current and emeritus faculty and staff were able to visit and express their personal thanks and best wishes to Janet and Roger.

Janet sent me a nice message following the reception.  Excerpts from the message are below.

"Thanks so much for the wonderful sendoff!!  I was so pleased to see P.J. and Sumandeep and, of course, Noriko.  I’m really looking forward to seeing the remembrance book that April is working on. It was great talking to colleagues I haven’t seen in a while and everyone agrees that we’re moving to a beautiful area.  You all made us feel really appreciated and that means a great deal to both Roger and me."

"Thanks so much for having the gathering for us.  The gifts were very thoughtful.  I know the sweatshirts will feel really comfy in the cooler coastal weather.  I plan to keep in touch through social media (LinkedIn and maybe Facebook) now that I’ll have time to learn how to use them."

 Janet and Roger will be moving to northern California next month. 

Below are some photos from the event.  I expect to get some more which I will add at a later time.

Janet Arey and Roger Atkinson

Janet Arey looking at flowers sent by an alumnus.

Janet Arey and Roger Atkinson 

 Paul Ziemann and David Eastmond

 Noriko Nishino, ETOX Alumna and former Ph.D. student

Michael Anderson, Chair of the Department of Environmental Sciences

 A view of the audience during the program.

Retirement reception for Janet Arey and Roger Atkinson at UC Riverside

After many years of dedicated service, Professors Roger Atkinson and Janet Arey are retiring from the University of California, Riverside.  The Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program and the Environmental Sciences Department will be hosting a short program and a reception in their honor.  The event will be held on Thursday April 25 beginning at 4 pm in Chung Hall (ENGR 2) room 205/206.  For those of you who will be in the area, we would love to have you join us.  If you will be attending, please send let me know so we can plan for refreshments. We look forward to seeing you there.  

Toxicology Positions within California EPA

Below is a flyer sent by UCR ETOX alumnus Albert Wang which provides an overview hiring at the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.  OEHHA is actively recruiting toxicologists and others with related expertise.  Please see the flyer for more information. If you click on it, the image will be more readable.