Thanks to generous bequests honoring the memories of two faculty (Fumio Matsumura, George Alexeeff), our department continues to be able to support doctoral students in their research to address pressing toxicological issues. In 2023, the Fumio Matsumura Memorial Fellowships, in recognition of the impact of Prof. Matsumura on pesticide research, teaching, and student mentorship, were awarded to Clarisa Martinez and Virginia Krause. The George Alexeeff Award, in recognition of Dr. Alexeeff’s impact on our department curriculum on toxin regulation, was awarded to Taylor Evinger.

The field of immunotoxicology aims to understand the linkages between the environment and immune-mediated diseases, such as autoimmunity. Clarisa Martinez (left; laboratory of Assistant Professor Allison Ehrlich) is using a mouse model of type 1 diabetes to better understand how exposure to environmental toxicants and diet-derived chemicals impact the autoimmune T cell response, with a focus on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Her research explores the underlying reasons why different AhR ligands can lead to activation or suppression of the immune response, and how these immune responses are influenced by the gut microbiome. For these studies, she is exposing germ free mice (which lack a microbiome) and AhR-deficient mice to the environmental toxicant, TCDD, and dietary AhR ligands. The findings from her research will advance the understanding of the interplay between environmental exposure, diet, and gut microbiome on the development of autoimmunity. The fellowship will support her to present results at the 6th International AHR Meeting.

Metal contaminants, which can be directly or indirectly released from anthropogenic activity, impact humans and wildlife worldwide. Mercury is a particularly pervasive contaminant because it can travel in the atmosphere over regional and global distances, impacting aquatic systems far from contaminant sources. Reservoirs, which are central to water, energy, and agricultural systems in the western U.S. are particularly problematic for enhancing the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of methylmercury in aquatic food webs. Virginia Krause (right, laboratory of Assistant Professor Brett Poulin) is studying when and where toxic methylmercury is formed in reservoirs in the California Coastal Range. In collaboration with water managers from Santa Clara Valley Water, Virginia is collecting water and sediments and performing field experimentation within reservoirs. The results from her research will inform the remediation and management of reservoirs in California.                               

Arctic ecosystems are experiencing rapid climate change that can result in the release of toxic metals stored in permafrost soils, impacting drinking water for rural communities and acutely poisoning aquatic organisms. Taylor Evinger (left, laboratory of Assistant Professor Brett Poulin) is studying how climate change and permafrost thaw are releasing toxic metals (e.g., lead, cadmium, zinc, and copper) to neighboring rivers, and the toxicological impacts on resident fish. Working with researchers of the National Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey, Taylor is conducting field research in northwest Alaska and modeling the toxicity of the observed conditions to Arctic Grayling and Dolly Varden. The fellowship will support her in sharing her research findings with scientists at the 2024 SETAC conference and with rural Arctic communities impacted by these disturbances.