Two School of Public Health undergraduate students presented scientific posters of their research at the annual meeting of the Society of Toxicology, on March 10-14, in Salt Lake City.
The Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) students, Annika Spencer and Rachel Turkington, are mentored by Alison P. Sanders, PhD, assistant professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. Sanders teaches the BSPH course Molecules of Life, Sickness and Death, which serves as an undergraduate introduction to the field of toxicology.
“It’s been a joy to work with Annika and Rachel on their respective projects and support their growth as early career scientists,” says Sanders. “I’ve had the privilege of getting to understand their interests in environmental health topics and support their continued curiosity in gaining research experience in my lab.”
In addition to her poster presentation, Spencer is first author on a review paper published in the March 2024 issue of the journal Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension. The article explores the literature on air pollutants and adverse health outcomes affecting dialysis patients, which is particularly important given the growing number of individuals experiencing kidney failure and chronic kidney disease worldwide.
“I never thought co-authoring a scientific paper would be possible as an undergraduate, so this process has been exciting,” says Spencer. “Dr. Sanders has been a dedicated mentor since I began navigating the academic world of environmental health, and I look forward to conducting more research in her lab this year.”
Turkington, co-author of both a review article and textbook chapter on metal toxicology in the kidney that are being prepared for publication, is similarly grateful for the opportunities she’s been provided. “The work that Dr. Sanders is spearheading in her lab is important to the future health of populations that are disproportionality affected by environmental exposures,” she says. “Not only have I gained knowledge and experience in a potential career in toxicology and environmental health, but she has generously created several opportunities for me to advance professionally while still an undergraduate student.”
“One of the fun aspects to Rachel’s projects has been our collaboration with a medical illustrator to visualize the knowledge she is learning by summarizing it into diagrams or figures,” adds Sanders. “Together, we’re able to bring in more elements of science communication and share information with others.”
-Clare Collins