News
Lab Member Alma Avila Oropeza Featured in the Society of Toxicology Newsletter
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Alma Avila Oropeza was recently featured in the Society of Toxicology Newsletter for an article "Surviving your PhD Qualifying Exams". Qualifying exams are a major milestone in completing your PhD training, one that can feel both intimidating and stressful. The process involves many moving parts, from selecting your committee members to receiving ongoing feedback from your PI. While every journey is unique, I would like to share a few strategies that made my own experience smoother and more manageable. First, start writing your qualifying exam document as early as possible. Giving yourself ample time not only reduces last-minute pressure but also allows for multiple rounds of feedback. Seek input from your mentor, lab members, and equally importantly your committee members. Remember, your committee is there to serve as mentors, and most will gladly provide suggestions to help strengthen your work. Another tip that greatly benefited me was seeking feedback from individuals outside my specific research field. An “outsider’s” perspective can help you identify gaps, clarify your narrative, and reshape your story in ways you might not have considered. For me, the writing process was especially challenging because English is my second language. I knew I would need to go through numerous edits, but each revision helped me communicate my ideas more clearly and with greater confidence. During my preparation, I also set aside dedicated time to study potential topics for the Q&A portion. To fully focus, I paused any pending experiments and shifted my attention to studying and practicing. As the exam date approached, I rehearsed my presentation multiple times, first with members of my lab, then with colleagues in my PhD program. In my experience, you can never have too much feedback or practice. One of the most important lessons I learned was that your committee members and mentors are there to support you. Their goal is not to fail you, but to help you grow into a stronger scientist and a more critical thinker. It’s normal to reach a point where you feel unprepared, even after months of preparation. In those moments, trust the work you’ve put in, lean on your mentor’s guidance, and walk into the exam with confidence!
Read More: Lab Member Alma Avila Oropeza Featured in the Society of Toxicology NewsletterTox2all Brings Toxicology to Life for Kids at the Rochester Museum & Science Center
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Children and families gathered at the Rochester Museum & Science Center for Tox2all, an outreach event designed to introduce young learners to the world of toxicology in an interactive and engaging way. Organized by Dr. Marissa Sobolewiski, the event transformed science into a hands-on experience that connected complex topics to everyday life. Each booth featured activities that invited kids to explore how toxicology influences health and the environment. At one station, participants learned about skin cancer prevention and the role of sunscreen in protecting against harmful UV rays. Children not only took part in the activity but also gained a deeper understanding of how toxicology links to personal health. To keep the learning going, each child left with a take-home kit to continue their exploration. By combining science with play, Tox2all highlighted the importance of early education in health and safety—showing that even complex topics like toxicology can be both fun and accessible.
Alma Avila Oropeza Awarded Toxicology Mentoring Award
Monday, June 2, 2025
Alma Avila Oropeza received a Toxicology Mentoring award from the University of Rochester Department of Environmental Medicine in recognition of her exceptional commitment to mentoring. The award was presented during the annual Toxicology Training Program Retreat, held on May 29, 2025.
Rintaro Kato Awarded Most Inquisitive Student Award
Monday, June 2, 2025
Rintaro Kato received the Most Inquisitive Student award from the University of Rochester Department of Environmental Medicine in recognition of his consistent and thoughtful questions. The award was presented during the annual Toxicology Training Program Retreat, held on May 29, 2025.
Hossein Abolhassani Receives UR CTSI Pilot Grant for Innovative 3D Tissue Innervation System
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Hossein Abolhassani as a PI mentored by Drs. Lisa DeLouise, PhD MPD, and Benjamin Miller was awarded a pilot project grant for the work on the Development of a modular microphysiological system to innervate 3D tissues for disease modeling and toxicity testing. This project is funded by the University of Rochester Clinical and Translational Science Institute (UR CTSI) in collaboration with the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) at the NIH.