Environmental Carcinogenesis Research Fellowship Fund

Recipient: Idoia Meaza
Award Year: 2021
Current Degrees: MS
Institution/Affiliation: University of Louisville

When Ms. Meaza received the award, she felt really honored to be recognized by such an excellent specialty section as the Carcinogenesis Specialty Section. She is earnestly grateful for this recognition. She sees this award as an opportunity to evolve as a young scientist and it motivates her to continue pursuing a career as a toxicologist. 

The awarded project is a collaborative work with her lab coworkers Rachel M. Speer and Jennifer H. Toyoda. This project focuses on how hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] causes cancer. Cr(VI) is a known human lung carcinogen that alters gene expression. Epigenetic modifications may explain how Cr(VI) alters gene expression. Thus, the team decided to consider whether Cr(VI) could alter microRNAs (miRNA) molecules known to affect gene expression. They performed a genome-wide miRNA expression study in human lung cells after exposure to particulate Cr(VI), the most potent form of Cr(VI). In this project, they showed particulate Cr(VI) does indeed alter miRNAs involved in Cr(VI) carcinogenesis pathways. Future work will investigating the role of individual miRNAs in Cr(VI) carcinogenesis pathways and their effects on target protein expression levels. Additionally, Ms. Meaza is particularly interested in studying the mechanism by which Cr(VI) might be remodeling chromatin topology, often observed in cancers. 

Metals Specialty Section Student Research Award Fund

Recipient: Jennifer Toyoda
Award Year: 2021
Current Degrees: MS
Institution/Affiliation: University of Louisville

Ms. Toyoda was delighted to receive this Metals Specialty Section award. Not only does it recognize her project and the work of many preceding her, she is excited to bring attention to novel research in molecular mechanisms of hexavalent chromium carcinogenesis. Her lab hopes to fill critical knowledge gaps in the field and eventually enable better risk assessment and improved health outcomes in the fight against lung cancer.

Ms. Toyoda's goal is to help elucidate how hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] causes cancer. Specifically, this project shows Cr(VI) disrupts key proteins that regulate centrosome numbers in the cell and thus may drive numerical chromosome instability. Data show Cr(VI) targets the inhibitor protein, securin, by decreasing gene expression, leading to loss of its critical function in controlling centrosome duplication. These results are being explored in cell culture, in animal inhalation studies, and in human lung tumors. 

Metals Specialty Section Student Research Award Fund

Recipient: Jamie Young
Award Year: 2021
Current Degrees: MS, PhD
Institution/Affiliation: University of Louisville

Dr. Young's reaction upon receiving this award was that of surprise and gratitude. During such an unprecedented year it a great feeling to have her hard work and dedication recognized by her peers and colleagues. Winning this award will help her to continue to network with professionals in an inter- and transdisciplinary manner that will aid in her goal of becoming a successful independent research scientist in the field of metals toxicology. 

The research for which Dr. Young won this award focuses on the interactions between cadmium and high-fat diet in the development of liver disease and the use of dietary zinc to stop disease initiation and progression. This project takes into consideration that environmental exposures are typically multigenerational and lifelong, and that factors, such as diet and exposure to toxicants, are involved in the development of disease. Her team proposes whole life, low dose cadmium exposure will enhance metabolic syndrome associated with consumption of a high-fat diet, resulting in liver disease and that zinc plays a key role in determining this outcome. Dr. Young's future goal is to become a successful independent research scientist in academia. She has a particular interest in the sexual dimorphism of diseases associated with metal toxicity and the creation of sex-specific therapies to address such diseases.