Dillman and Martins-Green Receive Chancellor's Award for Excellence

ETOX faculty members Adler Dillman, professor of Nematology and Manuela Martins-Green, professor of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, are this year's recipients of the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement.  The award is presented each spring to "faculty members with a distinguished record of fostering undergraduate research or creative activity".  More information about the award and the recipients can be found on the Inside UCR article.  Both Manuela and Adler have an impressive record working with and mentoring undergraduate researchers.  Our congratulations to Adler and Manuela for this well-deserved recognition.  

Alumni Connections

ETOX alumni Dr. Scott Coffin and Dr. Sam Patton met up recently at a tour of the Metropolitan Water District and took the picture above.  Scott works for the California State Water Resources Control Board and Sam recently joined the Metropolitan Water District.  We wish them success in their positions.  

Open Positions Related to the Health Effects of Air Pollution at UC Riverside

The Center for Environmental Research and Technology at UC Riverside is searching for a community scientist liaison who will work with faculty teams to assist in managing existing and launching new air monitoring campaigns and air quality outreach efforts in our region.  Among other responsibilities, the successful candidate will understand the needs and wants of the community and represent it in developing community-based projects and proposals with UCR faculty. More information on the position can be found here.  

Prof. Ying-Hsuan Lin of the Department of Environmental Sciences and an ETOX faculty member, is searching for a postdoctoral researcher to to work on the chemical characterization and health effects of vaping aerosols. As described in the position announcement, the successful applicant will use a suite of analytical instruments and in silico approaches to characterize the chemical composition and health effects of vaping (e-cigarette) emission products. More information on the position can be found here.  

Reddam and Volz' Research on Organophosphate Flame Retardants Highlighted

Recent research by Alli Reddam, former graduate student, Prof. Dave Volz, an ETOX faculty member, and their collaborators on organophosphate ester flame retardants has been highlighted in UCR News.  Their previous work showed that occupants of cars were exposed to significant levels of OP flame retardants while commuting.  The current study investigated whether wiping the front interior of the car would reduce exposure to the flame retardants.  Somewhat surprisingly, their research showed that a partial cleaning of the car's interior did not significantly reduce exposure.  Either a more thorough cleaning or wearing a face covering may be needed to reduce exposure.  Our congratulations to Alli and Dave for this recognition of their work.  

Research Identifying Oxidative Components Contributing to Vaping-linked Lung Injury Highlighted

The research of ETOX graduate students Alexa Canchola, Sabbir Ahmed, and Jin Chen and their advisor, Professor Ying-Hsuan Lin has been recognized by the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology as one of its most popular recent articles.  The study describes the formation of duroquinone, a redox-active compound, from Vitamin E acetate, a component of vaping fluids, and demonstrates that the vaping emissions produce oxidative stress in cellular and acellular systems, which may contribute to lung damage in those that vape.  The article can be accessed here. Our congratulations to Alexa, Sabbir, Jin and Ling-Hsuan for this nice recognition of their work.  

Professor Frances Sladek Awarded Grant to Study Molecular Basis of Popular Diets

Professor Frances Sladek, of the Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology and ETOX faculty member, and her research group have recently been awarded a major NIH grant to investigate the molecular underpinnings of the keto diet and intermediate fasting.  Their studies focus on the role of the transcription factor HNF4 found in the liver, and the formation of the proteins P1 and P2 which appear to be involved in energy metabolism.  More information on the grant can be found on the UCR News website.  Our congratulations to Dr. Sladek and her group for this recognition of their research and ideas. 

Yan Jin Selected for the Francis Allison Faculty Award by the University of Delaware

Yan Jin, a professor in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Delaware and an ETOX alumna, has recently been selected by the University of Delaware for its Francis Allison Award, the highest faculty honor bestowed by the University of Delaware. As described in UDaily news article, “With the Francis Alison Award, we get the chance to recognize a faculty member who has distinguished themselves through their inspired teaching, their innovative research, and their dedicated leadership and service,” said UD Provost Robin Morgan, a professor of animal and food sciences at the University for more than 35 years. “Yan Jin wholeheartedly embodies these achievements.” Our congratulations to Yan for this high recognition of her research, teaching and leadership.