Doctoral student to present at toxicology conference next spring

November 9, 2015

Grace Chappell

Grace Chappell, environmental sciences and engineering (ESE) doctoral student, has been selected to present her research at the Society of Toxicology’s Contemporary Concepts in Toxicology conference, to be held March 12, 2016, in New Orleans.

Chappell won second place in a ‘Best Poster’ competition at the Lone Star Society of Toxicology regional meeting and was awarded a $250 travel grant to support her attendance at next spring’s national event, which focuses this year on Micro-RNA Biomarkers for Toxicology.

Her research involves the changes in expression of microRNAs, a type of epigenetic alteration (a change to the genome that does not affect the DNA sequence), that occur after humans or animals are exposed to harmful environmental or occupational hazards. Such epigenetic markers may serve as biomarkers of exposure or damage, and they offer insight into chemical carcinogenesis.

“I’m very honored to have received the travel award and excited to present my research at this meeting, which will be focused entirely on research of microRNAs and the application of such studies in various toxicology-relevant sectors.” Chappell said.

Chappell’s adviser is Ivan Rusyn, PhD, formerly on the ESE faculty at the Gillings School, now at Texas A&M University.