zur Nieden Research Group at UC Riverside
2015 - 2016 News Archive
zur Nieden lab recognized for excellence at 56th Annual Teratology Society Meeting in San Antonio, TX
July 1, 2016
Nicole and Lauren traveled to San Antonio this past week to share their work with other researchers working in fields related to teratology, or the study of birth defects. Both received Travel Awards from the Teratology Society to attend this year's meeting.
Nicole's abstract had the distinction of being selected for an oral platform presentation held on Sunday, and Lauren's poster presentation was selected for recognition in the form of the James C. Bradford Memorial Student Poster Award.
The Teratology Society is an interdisciplinary coalition of researchers exploring the causes of birth defects and developmentally-relevant disorders with the end goal of prevention and mitigation.
Great job, Nicole and Lauren!
Nicole Sparks and Lauren Walker recognized for outstanding work at Annual Environmental Toxicology Student Symposium
June 24, 2016
The zur Nieden lab is proud to announce that Nicole and Lauren were both recognized for excellence in research at this year's Environmental Toxicology (ETOX) Annual Student Symposium.
Nicole received the Students' Choice Award, while Lauren received Honorable Mention for the Fukuto Best Student Presentation Award.
Each year, the ETOX Annual Student Symposium showcases the work of all of the students in the Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program at UCR.
Congrats, Nicole and Lauren!
Nicole Sparks receives Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award
May 27, 2016
Nicole was recognized this past Thursday for her excellent instruction in CBNS 165: Stem Cell Biology by the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience.
Each year, every department on the UCR campus accepts nominations for outstanding teaching assistants who have been deemed by their students and/or faculty they teach under. The department then selects the recipient of the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award.
Great work, Nicole!
Nicole Sparks and Lauren Walker awarded Teratology Society Travel Awards
April 22, 2016
Nicole and Lauren were both recognized for their contributions to the field of Teratology in the form of Travel awards to the 2016 Teratology Annual Meeting held this year in San Antonio, TX.
The Teratology Society is an interdisciplinary coalition of researchers exploring the causes of birth defects and developmentally-relevant disorders with the end goal of prevention and mitigation.
A full list of 2016 Teratology Society Award recipients can be found here.
Congratulations, Nicole and Lauren!
Linh Blackney represents the zur Nieden lab at the 10th Annual UCR Undergraduate Symposium for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity
April 20, 2016
Surrounded by her fellow undergraduate peers, Linh presented her most recent work in tha lab at the 10th Annual UCR Undergratuate Symposium for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity held on the UCR campus.
The event serves as a forum for UCR undergratuates actively involved in research on campus to showcase and share their work as well as help students learn about how to get involved with campus research initiatives and apply for scholarships.
Great job, Linh!
Lauren Walker appointed to Society of Toxicology Women in Toxicology Special Interest Group
March 17, 2016
At this year's annual Society of Toxicology (SOT) Annual Meeting, Lauren was notified of her official appointment as Student Representative for the Women in Toxicology (WIT) Special Interest Group.
The Society of Toxicology is home is a host of Special Interest Groups which serve to bring together scientists who share a common interest in the field of toxicology as well as their respective communities.
The WIT Special Interest Group aims to provide leadership opportunities for as well as promote the recruitment, retention, and recoginition of women pursuing careers and achieving in the toxicological sciences.
WIT also sponsors scientific and educational programs at the SOT annual meeting and throughout the year including, but not limited to, symposia, workshops, and continuing education courses.
Moreover, Lauren received a Student Travel Award from the Southern California Regional Chapter of SOT to present her work during the Oxidative Injury poster session at SOT this year in New Orleans, LA.
Congratulations, Lauren!
Nicholas Ventura and Jasmine Stamps present their research at annual CAMP Symposium
February 6, 2016
This weekend Nick and our newest undergraduate student research assistant, Jasmine, joined other undergraduates in presenting their work at the University of California school system at the annual California Alliance for Minority Participation (CAMP) Symposium held this year on the University of California, Irvine campus.
Originally founded at UCR in 1994, CAMP-UCR is an educational initiave aimed to encourage traditionally underrepresented students in STEM fields to engage in university research as well as pursue and successfully complete science degrees at the undergraduate and graduate and professional levels.
Great job, Nick and Jasmine!
zur Nieden lab well-represented at 2015 ASCB Annual Meeting and MAC Poster Competition
December 16, 2015
Past week, Linh Blackney, Devon Ehnes, Lauren Walker, and Nick Ventura
presented their work at the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Annual Meeting in sunny San Diego, CA.
Devon, Lauren, and Nick also competed in the Minorities Affairs Committee (MAC) Poster Competition on Saturday afternoon, with Lauren being awarded Honorable Mention (out of four total graduate student recognitions; only one individual was selected for Best Graduate Student Presentation) for her presenation.
Moreover, both Devon and Lauren were awarded MAC Travel scholarships to attend the meeting.
Great job, Everyone!
Lauren Walker visits local high school to talk Toxicology and Regenerative Medicine
November 6, 2015
This Friday Lauren with assistance from Maricela Maldonado and Catherine Augello, graduate students from the Bioengineering Graduate Program, organized a Stem Cell Day at Tahquitz High School in Hemet, CA.
The Stem Cell Day engaged 9th and 10th grade high school students in dicussions about toxicology, stem cells and regenerative medicine.
Interested in planning a Stem Cell Day? The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has excellent resources here.
Joseph Madrid, Nicole Sparks, and Lauren Walker present at annual IESCC Symposium
November 4, 2015
Joseph, Nicole, and Lauren presented their most recent work alongside other researchers working in the field of Stem Cell biology at the annual Inland Empire Stem Cell Consortium (IESCC) Symposium held this year on the UC Riverside campus.
Joseph and Lauren presented posters on their work with ToxPi and stress signaling in developing cells, respectively. As the co-recipient of the Best Abstract Award, Nicole presented her work on the effects of harm-reduction tobacco on developing cells in the final oral presentation of the day.
Nicole took a fun selfie with the audience at the conclusion of her talk.
The IESCC is a coalition of approximately 24 research laboratories actively engaged in stem cell research at the University of California, Riverside, Loma Linda University, and California State University at San Bernardino. The Consortium aims to foster a collegial forum for researchers engaged in stem cell research in the Inland Empire, provide training opportunities for students in stem cell biology, and educate the public on the far-reaching benefits of stem cell research in this region. The Consortium gathers annually to share and discuss members’ work accomplished within the past year.
Great job, Joseph, Nicole, and Lauren!
Lauren Walker invited to speak at NOBCChE National Conference Student Fellowship Panel
September 25, 2015
Alongside other invited student fellowship recipients at this year's National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) National Conference, Lauren served on an advisory panel entitled "Meandering the Financial Maze: Applying for a Scholarship or Fellowship Award."
The panel aimed to inform undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral scholars on available fellowship opportunities and also how to construct competitive and successful fellowship applications.
Established in 1972, NOBCChE endeavors to increase the active participation of traditionally underrepresented individuals in science and engineering fields through encouraging professional and academic student development while simultaneously facilitating connections between students and science and engineering professionals working in academia, government, and industry.
Nicholas Ventura presents at UCR Mentoring Summer Research Internship Symposium
August 17, 2015
This past Friday, Nicholas presented his most recent work on the relationship between miR-690 and osteogenesis in embyronic stem cells at the UC Riverside Mentoring Research Internship Program (MSRIP) Symposium.
MSRIP is an eight-week summer research program designed for rising UC Riverside juniors and seniors from educationally and/or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. MSRIP aims to strengthen the academic and professional development of participants as well as increase the number of diverse, well-qualified students planning to pursue a Ph.D at UC Riverside or other competitive universities.
Great job, Nick!
Joseph Madrid presents at 2015 CIRM Scholar Annual Meeting.
July 20, 2015
Along with his fellow CIRM Scholars, Joseph presented his most recent work last week at the 2015 California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Scholar Annual Meeting.
The CIRM Scholar program aims to expand the pool of researchers with the specialized training and skills required to perform high quality stem cell research in California and thereby rapidly advance the development of the regenerative medicine and stem cell industry.