Prof. David Eastmond Wins the EMGS Education Award

Prof. Nicole Sparks, ETOX alumna, Professor Eastmond, and Dr. Stephanie Smith-Roe, the EMGS President

David Eastmond, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology and ETOX faculty member, was recently selected by the Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society to receive its Education Award.  The Education award, a special recognition from the Society, was given to Dr. Eastmond in "recognition of his sincere dedication to student and young investigator members" of the Society. Dr. Eastmond was nominated by an impressive group of ETOX alumnae, and he is honored by the recognition from the former students and the Society.

U-Cigarettes Shown to Have Similar or Greater Potential for Toxicity as Compared to E-Cigarettes

A recent paper by Ester Omaiye, a postdoctoral fellow and ETOX alumna, Prue Talbot, a Professor in the Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology and ETOX faculty member, and their colleagues has investigated the fluid and aerosol composition and in vitro toxicity of ultrasonic cigarettes (U-cigarettes) and have demonstrated that they have similar or greater potential for harmful effects when compared to the latest types of electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes).  Their article recently appeared in Chemical Research in Toxicology and has been highlighted in an Inside UCR news article.  Our congratulations to Ester, Prue and their colleagues for this important new study.  [The picture above is from the authors' Chemical Research in Toxicology article.]

Vaping Devices Containing Digital Games May Lead to More Addiction Among Youth

Prof. Prue Talbot, Professor of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology and ETOX faculty member, and her research assistant Man Wong have recently published an article in the journal Tobacco Control warning that vaping devices containing digital games may entice more youth into vaping, lead to more vaping among users, and result in reinforced nicotine addiction.  Their research has recently been highlighted in UC Riverside News and been the focus of an article in the Los Angeles Times.  Our congratulations to Pure and Man for these recognitions of their research.  [The photo above is from the UC Riverside News article.] 

PFAS-degrading Bacteria Discovered by Research Team Led by Prof. Yujie Men

A research team led by Yujie Men, Associate Professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and ETOX faculty member, has discovered a species of Acetobacterium bacteria that can degrade unsaturated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).  PFAS have strong carbon-fluorine bonds that are so resistant to degradation that they are considered "forever chemicals".  In addition to enabling the break down of unsaturated PFAS, Men and colleagues have identified the specific enzymes involved in the degradation pathways which should allow these and other bacteria to be engineered to also degrade saturated PFAS.  Men's work was recently published in the journal Science Advances and highlighted in UC Riverside News.  Our congratulations to Yujie and her team for this important advance. [Image above is from the UCR News article.]

Lauren Walker Featured on the Society of Toxicology Blog

A personal essay by ETOX alumna Dr. Lauren Walker has recently been posted on the Society of Toxicology blog.  It is described as "part of a series designed to celebrate SOT member diversity and showcase the diverse pathways and experiences of its members". It is well written and provides insight into Lauren's educational and professional journey, emphasizing her interest in community outreach and service. The essay can be found here.  Our congratulations to Lauren for this nice recognition. The first comment written by SOT President Dori Germolec describes Lauren as "one of our rising stars".  

Prof. Carl Cranor to Retire After 53 Years at UC Riverside

Carl Cranor, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and one of the original members of the ETOX Graduate Program faculty, will formally be retiring at the end of this week after 53 years of research, teaching and service at UC Riverside.  Carl's research has been at the intersection of toxicology, the law, and morality, and he has had a distinguished career having received many awards including being elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and elected a Fellow of the Collegium Ramazzini, an honor reserved for those recognized as being among the preeminent experts worldwide in the areas of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine.  A recent article on Carl's retirement and career can be found in UC Riverside News.  Our congratulations to Carl for a highly successful career.  I might mention that although formally retired, Carl will continue his professional and university work: He will be teaching a class again this fall.  [Note the photo above was taken by Sandra Baltazar Martinez and is from the UC Riverside News article.]

The 2024 Annual Student Symposium

On Friday May 24, the Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program held its 2024 Annual Student Symposium.  The event featured platform and poster presentations, GSA activities and breakfast, lunch and a dinner during which the awards were announced. The day was a recognized success with many fine presentations.  The Fukuto Award for Best Student Presentation was won by Garrit Clabaugh for “Chemical Synthesis of Site-specific Carboxylmethyl phosphotriester oligodeoxynucleotides and their formation in DNA”.  The Honorable Mention prize went to Zachary Hutchins.  The best 1st-year student presentation award went to Rebecca Yates , and John Hoang received the best 2nd year presentation award.  Lastly, the best postdoctoral award was won by Andrew Kellum.  A special thanks goes to the Student Symposium Committee (John Huang, Student Chair) and Prof. Joseph Genereux, Faculty Chair)) who organized the event, and to Prof. Linlin Zhao, who directs the Graduate Program and keeps it running smoothly. Below are pictures taken by several attendees and myself.