Student Perspectives
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6th Year
Mackenzie Palmer
Hometown: Oswego, NY
Education Background:
- B.S. in Chemistry from SUNY Potsdam
- M.S. in Toxicology from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Research Group: Finkelstein Lab
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
I have really enjoyed the community of our department. Everyone has always made me feel welcomed and supported. I have also loved developing and progressing my research, and growing as a scientist, which all stem from the great education I’ve been given, and continue to receive from our department.
What is your research focus?
My research focuses on alternatively activated macrophages in Radiation-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis (RIPF). Alternatively activated macrophages are known to contribute to the progression of RIPF; however, how they become alternatively activated is still unknown. I am currently investigating metabolic alterations within RIPF, and their effects on the polarization of alternatively activated macrophages.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
I love trying new restaurants and breweries in Rochester. The food scene here is amazing, with there being so many small, locally owned businesses. I also enjoy exploring the areas around Rochester. There are many beautiful parks in and around the city, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as biking and hiking.
5th Year
Joseph Lucas
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Education Background:
- B.S. in Toxicology with a Minor in Statistics from the Pennsylvania State University
- M.S. in Toxicology from University of Rochester School Of Medicine and Dentistry
Research Group: Irfan Rahman Lab
Alyssa Merrill
Hometown: Cassadaga, NY
Education Background:
- B.S. in Biology with Minors in Chemistry, Gerontology, Pre-Med, and Psychology, Nazareth College
- M.S. in Toxicology from University of Rochester School Of Medicine and Dentistry
Research Group: Cory-Slechta and Sobolewski Labs
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
The breath of information the coursework exposes you to. Having a broad interdisciplinary coursework aids in the determination of where to rotate as a first-year student by allowing you to find labs that align with interests you might have not been aware of or even known was an active area of research.
What is your research focus?
The physiological changes a woman undergoes during pregnancy leave her uniquely susceptible to environmental exposures, yet, maternal health remains an understudied area in toxicology. Epidemiological research has shown women exposed to high levels of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during pregnancy have a greater likelihood of developing gestational diabetes, drastically increasing their chances of being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in the next decade. My research investigates the impact an exposure to a carefully curated mixture of EDCs during pregnancy has on a woman’s long-term metabolic and neurobehavioral health. My research addresses direct mechanisms of EDC exposure on glucose tolerance and behavioral assays used as models for anxiety and depression.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
Discovering the shops throughout Rochester. Rochester has a vast array of small business that produce everything from homemade pasta to jewelry. I never bore of seeing the creativity the area has to offer.
Emily Quarato
Hometown: Westchester, NY
Education Background:
- B.S. in Chemistry with a concentration in Chemical Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham
- B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham
- M.S. in Toxicology from University of Rochester School Of Medicine and Dentistry
Research Group: Calvi Lab
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
The Toxicology Training Program has fostered an environment that has allowed me to by improve my scientific thinking and communication skills, expand my network with fellow students, faculty, and alumni, and connected me with a supportive community.
What is your research focus?
The hematopoietic system is extremely sensitive to toxic chemicals and hematopoietic failure is one of the leading causes of mortality following acute injury. The Calvi Lab focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the bone microenvironment in regulation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in the bone marrow. My work focuses on understanding the consequences to and mitigation strategies of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a component of the bone marrow microenvironment that support HSCs, following radiation injury.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
I am a big foodie, so I love that Rochester has given me the option to try new foods. I also love the visit the Public Market, which is a great place to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables!
Alexandra Strohm
Hometown: Bloomfield Hills, MI
Education Background:
- B.S in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a Minor in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Michigan State University
- M.S. in Toxicology from University of Rochester School Of Medicine and Dentistry
Research Group: Majewska Lab
4th Year
Catherine Beamish
Hometown: Syracuse, NY
Education Background:
- B.S. in Chemistry with a focus in Biochemistry and a Minor in Mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis
- M.S. in Toxicology from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Research Group: Rand Lab
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
I have really enjoyed learning about fly basics with the Rand Lab, allowing independence and freedom with my research projects.
What is your research focus?
My research focuses on characterizing discrete cellular and molecular pathways responsible for developmental disruption producing the toxicity ascribed to relevant heavy metal mixtures.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
Rochester has a surprisingly large trivia scene sans pandemic, which my friends have continued online. There are also a lot of expansive parks in Rochester where I can have a picnic or play kickball in the summer and can cross-country ski in the winter.
Kristina Fenner
Hometown: Howard, PA
Education Background:
- B.S. in Biochemistry from Susquehanna University
- M.S. in Toxicology from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Research Group: Lawrence Lab
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
I have enjoyed the support system of the program and my lab. The environment is very supportive, encouraging, and communicative.
What is your research focus?
My lab is interested in understanding how the environment can affect the way the immune system responds. We study this through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which acts as an environmental sensor. My project is focused on studying how environmental ligands, mediated through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, can affect the response of the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells to viral infections.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
I enjoy the variety of places that you can go walk around and explore in Rochester. You can get a city vibe, nature vibe, or suburban vibe all in one area! I also enjoy going to the public market and trying different local restaurants/cafes.
Sarah Morgan
Hometown: Webster, NY
Education Background:
- B.S. in Chemistry and Forensic & Investigative Sciences with a minor in Biology from West Virginia University
- M.S. in Toxicology from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Research Group: DeLouise Lab
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
I love learning about the research others are conducting at URMC and understanding how all the projects are connected and inform what we know about human health.
What is your research focus?
Microplastics are 1 µm – 5 mm pieces of plastic that due to the scale of human plastic consumption are a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. Microplastics often have other pollutants adsorbed on their surface, and these interactions can alter the toxicity of either toxicant alone. My research focuses on understanding the bioactivity of these microplastic-pollutant co-exposures.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
I enjoy attending the various festivals held in the Rochester area, exploring local cuisine with friends, and visiting the Fingers Lakes region for a relaxing day off.
Traci Pressley
Hometown: New Cumberland, PA
Education Background:
- B.S. in Pharmacology and Toxicology with a minor in Forensics from the University of the Sciences
- M.S. in Toxicology from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Research Group: Fazal Lab
Why did you chose to come to the University of Rochester?
I chose the U of R not just for the valuable education I knew I would receive here, but also the amazing people that make up this program. When I came for my interview, the friendly atmosphere, genuine people, and amazing research captured my heart and I knew that this was my home.
3rd Year
Melanie Perkins
Hometown: Warsaw, NY
Education Background:
- B.S in Forensic Science Technology from Alfred State College
- M.S. in Toxicology from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
I’m enjoying the opportunities to hear about the many areas of research within the program, whether it’s through presentations or speaking with members of different labs. It really helps to put your own area of research into perspective and even gain new insights.
What is your research focus?
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor acts within the body to sense and eliminate environmental toxins and has been demonstrated to play a role in regulating the adaptive immune response. My research focuses on studying how the aryl hydrocarbon receptor may impact the functioning of B cells in the context of autoimmune disease.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
I love spending time at the various parks around Rochester. It’s great to have access to scenic outdoor spaces even in the city. The wide range of restaurants and food options is also a huge plus.
Elizabeth Plunk
Hometown: Martin, TN
Education Background:
- B.S. in Biology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- M.S. in Toxicology from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
In my training I have enjoyed becoming independent in the lab and broadening my scientific knowledge. I was drawn to toxicology because it is interdisciplinary, so I knew I was going to have the opportunity to learn about many systems as well as other fields of scientific research. An example of this is while developing my project investigating developmental neurotoxicology, I had the opportunity to learn about the developing nervous system.
What is your research focus?
I’m investigating the effects of gestational and lactational exposures to short- chain PFAS on neurodevelopment. I’m specifically studying neuron growth and glial interactions.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
Rochester has a lot of great restaurants and parks, so to unwind from the week I like to eat good food and spend some time outside whether that be riding my bike or cross country skiing. In the summers I also enjoy going to the public market and stocking up on fresh foods for the week.
Adelaide Weidner
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Education Background:
- B.S. in Chemistry, SUNY Geneseo
- M.S. in Toxicology from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
It's really satisfying to keep learning more about my work and gradually become more independent as my training progresses. I love looking back and seeing how far I've come and how much my scientific skills have developed! I also love how supportive the other trainees are when I ask for advice.
What is your research focus?
Androgens are typically thought of as "male" hormones, but they are extremely important in female reproduction. Interestingly, androgens also affect insulin activity. My lab studies the molecular and physiological actions of androgens in the ovary and how a protein called paxillin modulates androgen actions. My project focuses specifically on the intersection of androgen signaling and insulin signaling in the ovary and how those pathways contribute to the development and progression of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We use a combination of in vitro cell culture and in vivo mouse models to elucidate these effects.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
My favorite thing to do around Rochester is eat at delicious local restaurants! I also love enjoying the weather year-round by taking walks around the beautiful Park Ave neighborhood.
2nd Year
Jithin George
Hometown: Newtown, PA
Education Background:
- B.S. in Neuroscience & Biomathematics from the University of Scranton
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
I like that our program students, faculty, administrators, and staff are super friendly and close-knit!
What is your research focus?
Air pollution is a complex mixture, one component is ultrafine particulate (UFPs) matter. Iron oxides make up a large percentage of these UFPs, especially in subway systems where proper ventilation systems do not exist. Epidemiological studies show strong, positive correlations between neurodegenerative disease (dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.) incidence and air pollution exposure in humans. Post-mortem studies in both human and transgenic mice show increased iron concentrations in brain samples with Tau pathologies. My current research seeks to further understand the mechanism by which inhaled iron may contribute to neurodegenerative disease processes in mice.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
When the weather permits, I love kayaking, cycling, or hiking in and around Rochester!
Ryan Owens
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Education Background:
- B.S. in Biology from Delaware Valley University
- M.S. in Environmental Science from University of New Haven
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
The diverse research opportunities that are offered through the wide range of faculty in our program.
What is your research focus?
My current research focuses on the immune response to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposures, and investigating the relationship between the main olfactory epithelium and the immune system.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
I like to go to the Jazz Festival, and the many other festivals that happen throughout the summer.
Nashae Prout
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Education Background:
- A.S. in Public Heath from Montgomery College
- B.S. in Health Education with a concentration in Environmental Health from Morgan State University
What have you enjoyed the most about your training thus far?
So far I have enjoyed the courses focused on Toxicology itself! These courses have given me a wider basis of knowledge regarding the field.
What is your research focus?
My current research focuses on the immune modulatory effects that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure imparts on pregnant women and their children.
What do you like to do in Rochester?
I enjoy exploring new/different restaurants because the food scene is so unique here. There are so many options from Korean restaurants to Ethiopian restaurants, and my favorite Jamaican restaurants!
1st Year
Alma Avila Oropeza
Hometown: San Diego, California
Education Background:
- B.S. in Biochemistry from California State University San Marcos
Why did you chose to come to the University of Rochester?
I chose the University of Rochester because of the supportive community in the Toxicology Program. I wanted my graduate experience to be in a new/different environment from my undergraduate and I knew Rochester was the best place for me to grow as a scientist.
Knickole Bergman
Hometown: Jefferson, MD
Education Background:
- B.S. in Molecular Biology from Towson University
Why did you chose to come to the University of Rochester?
I chose the University of Rochester because I feel it has a very supportive and collaborative culture among both its students and faculty. I was also excited by the professional development programs (myHub) and opportunities for community outreach (Thinkers & Drinkers) across the University and within the School of Medicine & Dentistry that graduate students can participate in. As a bonus, I think Rochester itself is a really fun city with so many restaurants, museums, and parks to explore!
Pablo Reina-González
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Education Background:
- B.S. in Biology from Hamilton College
- B.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies from Hamilton College
Why did you chose to come to the University of Rochester?
I chose the University of Rochester because of the Toxicology Program's prestige, its approachability, and my positive experience participating in the Summer Scholars research experience for undergraduate (REU) program in the summer of 2021.