Our Students
Student Profiles
Students —
undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows
— form an integral part of Dartmouth's
Toxic Metals Research Program. Working closely with
their mentors, students contribute to faculty researchers'
work while also having the opportunity to pursue their own
interests. In addition to working with researchers, students
actively participate in all aspects of our outreach activities.
Below are profiles
of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows who have been
part of the Toxic Metals Research Program since 1999. Undergraduate
students involved in research and community outreach are included
as well. In addition to each profile, many of the recent students
are described in longer student-written features, which are
geared toward a general audience.
Post-Doctoral
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Julie
Gosse, PhD
|
Postdoctoral Researcher
Previous
education: Cornell University, PhD
Mentors: Joshua
Hamilton Ph.D, Department of Pharmacology/ Toxicology; Jack
Bodwell Ph.D.,
Department of Physiology
Thesis: Toxicogenomics
of arsenic in telomerase-immortalized primary cell lines;
Mechanism of endocrine disruption by arsenic
Research
Focus: Julie is exploring toxicogenomics,
the sub-discipline that combines toxicology (the study
of the nature and effects of poisons) with genomics
(the investigation of how the genome translates into
biological functions), of long-term low-dose exposure
to arsenic on normal (non-cancerous) human cells.
Additionally, in a collaboration between Jack Bodwell’s
and Joshua Hamilton’s labs, Julie is examining
the molecular mechanism by which arsenic, a known endocrine
disruptor, alters glucocorticoid receptor-mediated
gene activation. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is
a cytosolic protein that becomes activated by the presence
of steroids in the cell, moves into the nucleus and
binds to specific gene promoters, starting the process
of gene transcription. Julie is monitoring how this
mechanism is affected by arsenic by using fluorescence
polarization, a form of light spectroscopy, to measure
the bond between the GR and the DNA promoter.
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Anne Spuches,
PhD |
Post-doctoral researcher
Previous education: Yale University, PhD
Mentor: Dean
Wilcox Ph.D., Department of Chemistry
Thesis: Thermodynamics of As(III)-Thiol
Interactions: Arsenite and Monomethylarsenite Binding to
Glutathione, Dihydrolipoic Acid and other Thiol Ligands
Research
focus: Anne is using isothermal titration calorimetry
(ITC) to understand the interactions between arsenic and
thiols and the implications for arsenic toxicity in cells.
Thiols are a group of sulfur-containing ligands, or molecules
that bind to receptor proteins. Thiols bind easily to metals
such as arsenic, and Anne is trying to understand how this
affects the toxicity of arsenic in cells. Some thiols may
play a role in reducing the toxicity of arsenic by binding
to the metal and sequestering it. Other thiols are enzyme
co-factors and if they bind to arsenic, enzyme activity
can be disrupted—bad news for the cell. Isothermal
titration calorimetry, or ITC, is a technique used to measure
the minute temperature changes that occur when two molecules
interact. In Anne’s research, ITC is used to measure
the heat absorbed or released when arsenic binds to different
thiols. By measuring the heat, Anne can determine how strong
and stable the interaction is, which will help her better
understand exactly what these thiol-arsenic interactions
mean for the cell. MORE>>
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Joseph
Shaw, PhD |
Joseph Shaw, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Previous
education: Graduate Center for Toxicology, University
of Kentucky, PhD
Mentors: Joshua
Hamilton Ph.D, Department of Pharmacology/ Toxicology;
Carol
Folt Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences
Thesis: Toxicogenomics
of metals in Daphnia; biomarkers development; effects
of As on CFTR
Research
Focus: Joe is involved with several projects within
the Toxic Metals Research Program. In the laboratories of
Joshua Hamilton and Carol Folt he is exploring the mechanisms,
as well as the limits of metal tolerance exhibited by some
populations of Daphnia. Joe is a Co-PI on the NSF
funded Daphnia
Biocomplexity grant aimed at linking genomic and population
-level responses of Daphnia exposed to metals.
Through this project he is working to expand the 'genomic
toolbox' for Daphnia. As part of this effort he
and others from Dartmouth worked with an international group
of scientists headed by Michael Lynch at Indiana University
to form the Daphnia
Genomics Consortium. Joe's work involves characterizing
differences between physiological (short-term) acclimation
and genetic (long-term) adaptation in laboratory and field
populations of Daphnia exposed to metals. This includes
resurrecting Daphnia cysts from up to 200 years
ago and comparing their genomes to Daphnia of today.
By bracketing these on either side of metal deposition events,
Joe is able to track exposure and effects at a variety of
biological levels across time. In the laboratories of Bruce
Stanton and Josh
Hamilton, Joe has been working with killifish to examine
the effects and mechanisms of arsenic poisoning. This includes
investigating the effects of arsenic on cortisol mediated
expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator.
CFTR is one component in an ionoregulatory cascade that
allows killifish to make rapid transitions between fresh
and saline waters. MORE>>
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Anne Rich,
PhD |
Anne Rich, PhD
Post-doctoral fellowship
completed 2003
Previous education: University College
London, Post-doctoral fellowship
Mentor: Dean
Wilcox Ph.D., Department of Chemistry
Thesis: Metal modification of transcription
factor function
Research
focus: Anne has been using isothermal titration
calorimetry to monitor the thermodynamic changes that occur
when zinc fingers interact with other metals, specifically
cadmium, lead, and arsenic, in order to determine the affinities
these metals have for replacing zinc. Zinc fingers, important
components of transcription factor proteins, require highly
specific conformation in order to bind properly with strands
of DNA. Replacement of the stabilizing zinc ion by these
toxic metals could explain, in part, their toxicity. MORE>>
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Angeline
Andrew, PhD |
Angeline Andrew, PhD
PhD completed 2001, Post-doctoral
fellowship completed 2002
Previous
education: Tufts University, BS
PhD mentor:
Aaron
Barchowsky, PhD, Department of Pharmacology/ Toxicology
PhD thesis:
Mechanisms for the regulation of fibrinolysis and cytokine
expression by nickel
Research focus:
Angeline's research focused on increasing our understanding
of the underlying cellular, biochemical, and molecular processes
leading to nickel- induced disease. This research will aid
the development of useful biomarkers for nickel effects and
will increase the understanding of mechanisms for nickel-induced
disease. MORE>>
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Bjorn Klaue,
PhD |
Björn Klaue, PhD
Post-doctoral fellowship completed
2000
Previous
Education: University of Hamburg, PhD
Mentor: Joel
D. Blum, PhD, Department of Geological Sciences, University
of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Research
focus: Björn's background in analytical chemistry
and particularly the analysis of toxic metals in airborne
particulate matter was extremely important for the fast
implementation of the Toxic
Metals Research Program (Superfund Basic Research Program)
at Dartmouth. Together with Paul Pickhardt, he initiated
the use of enriched stable isotope spiking tank experiments,
which will provide unambiguous data about the fate and transport
of toxic metals through the aquatic food web systems. MORE>>
Graduate
 |
James Jukosky |
James Jukosky
PhD completion expected 2006
Previous education:
University of New Hampshire, BS
Mentor:
Carol
Folt Ph.D, Department of Biological Sciences
Thesis:
Comparing routes of mercury exposure and elimination in
freshwater copepods and cladocerans
Research
focus: Jamie is currently investigating the roles
that physiological parameters, such as metabolic rates and
metal assimilation efficiencies, play in determining zooplankton
mercury burdens. This research contributes to an overall
goal of determining which zooplankton species are key conduits
of mercury to fish and whether zooplankton species are a
major factor in the lake to lake variation in fish mercury
burdens.
Presentations during training: Seminar
presentation, “Toxic Metal Accumulation in Freshwater
Zooplankton,” September 2002. Department of Physiology,
Dartmouth Medical School.
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Roxanne
Karimi |
Roxanne Karimi
PhD completion expected 2006
Previous
education: University of Pennsylvania, BA
Mentor: Carol
Folt Ph.D, Department of Biological Sciences
Thesis:
Trophic transfer of metals in littoral food webs
Research focus:
Roxanne is investigating the mechanisms behind metal transfer
in food webs on lake shores. She is currently involved in
determining metal transfer pathways in macrophyte and detrital-based
food chains through field studies. She is interested in the
seasonal feeding preferences of fish, as well as bioaccumulation
and transfer efficiencies of metals in macroinvertebrates.
Roxanne is using trace metal clean techniques and stable isotope
analysis to determine how metals move through this component
of the food web.
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Nicole Soucy
PhD completion expected 2003
Previous education:
San Diego State University, MSPH
Mentor:
Aaron
Barchowsky Ph.D., Department of Pharmacology/ Toxicology
Thesis: Mechanisms
of arsenite-induced vascular disease
Research focus:
Nicole has been working since 2001 on determining the
mechanisms by which arsenic in drinking water might be
related to diseases such as high blood pressure, heart
disease, and diabetes. Her RT-PCR analyses of pig aorta
endothelial and smooth muscle cells indicate that genes
such as PAI-1 and VEGF, which play a role in angiogenesis,
are stimulated by the presence of arsenite. These experiments
have been supplemented by work with chicken embryos, which
display angiogenic activity at all times, and mouse matrigel
models, for which arsenite treatments stimulate angiogenic
activity as well. MORE>>
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Paul Pickhardt,
PhD |
Paul Pickhardt, PhD
PhD completed 2002
Previous education:
University of Wisconsin, BS
Mentor: Carol
Folt Ph.D, Department of Biological Sciences
Thesis:
Zooplankton accumulation of trace metals: mechanisms and
taxonomic con-sequences in freshwater pelagic systems
Research focus:
Paul’s research began in 1995 with a focus on possible
morphological indicators of metal stress in freshwater copepods,
and evolved into tracking metal transfer in zooplankton within
mesocosm experiments. Paul took an active role in developing
new methods for using stable metal isotopes to quantify metal
uptake in different taxa of freshwater zooplankton, which
have allowed experiments to be conducted on intact zooplankton
communities at metal levels comparable to those seen in study
lakes throughout the northeastern region of the U.S.A. This
work was featured in a March 2002 study in the Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences. MORE>>
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Stephen
Peters, PhD |
Stephen Peters
PhD
PhD completed 2001
Previous Education:
Bates College, BS; Dartmouth College, MS
Mentor: Joel
D. Blum, PhD, Department of Geological Sciences, University
of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Thesis:
The Geochemistry of Arsenic in a Fractured Bedrock Aquifer
Research focus:
Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping techniques,
Stephen derived a relationship between high arsenic concentrations
in drinking water, and a specific type of bedrock. This
hypothesized relationship formed the basis of the research
for a Toxic Metals Research Program project, and his preliminary
data has generated significant interest in the scientific
and regulatory community. He identified that wells drilled
in granite bedrock containing arsenic had higher levels
of arsenic. Stephen is continuing this investigation of
the sources, fate and transport of arsenic in groundwater
by applying novel geochemical analysis tools to understand
the complex reactions which govern arsenic mobility. MORE>>
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Ronald
C. Kaltreider PhD |
Ronald C. Kaltreider PhD
PhD completed 2000
Previous Education:
York College, BS
Mentor: Joshua
W. Hamilton, PhD, Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology
Thesis:
Characterization of the molecular mechanism by which arsenic
and chromium alter inducible gene expression
Research
focus: Ron's research centered on understanding
the molecular mechanisms by which arsenic(III) and chromium(VI)
selectively alter gene expression as a possible component
of their mechanism of carcinogenesis in humans. He focused
in particular on how these toxic metals alter signal transduction
and transcription factor activity to alter gene expression.MORE>>
Jennifer A. Shumilla
PhD completed 1999
Previous Education:
Bates College, BS
Mentor:
Aaron
Barchowsky, PhD, Department of Pharmacology/ Toxicology
Thesis: Cellular and molecular effects
of chromium on the activity and expression of fibrinolytic
proteins in epithelial cells
Research focus:
Jen is the first graduate student to finish the Toxic Metals
Research at Dartmouth training program. Her thesis research
investigated cellular and molecular actions of chromium
on human lung cells. These studies focused on the hypothesis
that chromium induces pulmonary fibrosis by altering the
expression of proteins in the fibrinolytic cascade. Her
most significant findings were that chromium might promote
fibrosis by decreasing the synthesis and activity of urokinase-type
plasminogen activator. MORE>>
Undergraduate
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Kali Temple |
Kaili Temple
Dartmouth ’01
Degree:
BS Biology
Mentor: Joshua
Hamilton, PhD, Department of Pharmacology/ Toxicology
Research:
Kaili’s research as part of the Hamilton lab primarily
focused on determining which genes are altered in their
expression in response to arsenic treatment of cultured
cells, working with graduate student Ronald Kaltreider and
postdoctoral fellow Amy Warren. Kaili is a co-author on
a recent paper describing this research which was published
in the scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives
(A.A. Andrew et al., Vol. 111, pp. 825-838, 2003).
Awards and fellowships:
Kaili first joined Joshua Hamilton’s laboratory in
1997 on a Women
in Science Project (WISP) Fellowship that funded her
to pursue independent research in her first year. She continued
to work on the project throughout her four years at Dartmouth,
also receiving a Presidential Scholars Fellowship to fund
her research efforts in her third year.
Current education: Medical school
 |
Alisa Davis |
Alisa Davis
Dartmouth ‘01
Degree:
BS Chemistry
Mentor:
Joshua
Hamilton, PhD, Department of Pharmacology/ Toxicology
Research:
Alisa Davis joined Joshua Hamilton’s laboratory in
1998 during her second year at Dartmouth and remaining there
through her senior year. Alisa’s research focused
on two areas: the first was an examination of the effects
of arsenic on hormone-regulated gene expression, working
with graduate student Ronald Kaltreider. The second was
an independent investigation into the effects of different
forms of chromium on gene expression. In the latter case
she discovered that chromium(III), which is the nutritional
form of chromium, can stimulate a signaling pathway that
had previously not been identified. Alisa is a co-author
on six published scientific abstracts and two scientific
papers including the first report that arsenic can act as
a potent endocrine disruptor (R.C. Kaltreider et al., Environ.
Hlth. Perspect. Vol. 109, pp. 245-251, 2001).
Awards and fellowships:
During her tenure in the lab, Alisa received several prestigious
awards including a Hughes Fellowship, a Waterhouse Fellowship
and a Presidential Scholars Fellowship from Dartmouth;
a nationally competitive Goldwater Fellowship, and a nationally
competitive Beckman Foundation Fellowship.
Current education: Graduate school pursuing
a Ph.D. in biophysical chemistry and toxicology
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|
Lauren Kingsley
Dartmouth '04
Major:
Chemistry
Mentor:
Joshua
Hamilton, PhD, Department of Pharmacology/ Toxicology
Research:
Lauren’s research in the Hamilton lab has focused
on the mechanism by which arsenic disrupts hormone signaling.
In particular, she is working with faculty member and
project collaborator Jack Bodwell Ph.D. on structural
studies to determine the precise sites on the hormone
receptor that may serve as a target for arsenic binding
leading to dysfunction of the receptor. Lauren is already
the co-author on two published scientific abstracts resulting
from her work. Following completion of her degree in Chemistry
next year, she plans to attend medical school and pursue
a combined M.D./Ph.D. in order to continue her interest
in medically related environmental research.
Caryn Barnet
Dartmouth '03
Degree: BS
Chemistry
Mentor: Joshua
Hamilton, PhD, Department of Pharmacology/ Toxicology
Research:
Caryn joined Joshua Hamilton’s laboratory in 2001
as a third year student. Her research focused on modeling
the three-dimensional structure of the glucocorticoid receptor,
a hormone receptor that is strongly affected in its function
by arsenic treatment at very low doses. Caryn’s goal
was to determine the structural and chemical features of
the receptor that make it susceptible to endocrine disruption
by arsenic. This has led to new insights into the mechanism
for these effects. Caryn is the co-author on a recently
published scientific abstract describing this research.
Current training: research laboratory at
a major cancer center with plans to attend medical school
in 2004.
Katherine Harrison
Dartmouth ’06
Major:
Undeclared
Mentor:
Joshua
Hamilton, PhD, Department of Pharmacology/ Toxicology
Research:
For her research in the Hamilton lab, Katherine is working
with faculty member and project collaborator Angeline Andrew
Ph.D. on studies to determine how arsenic causes cancer.
They are specifically focusing on the very potent effects
of arsenic in suppressing the ability of cells to repair
DNA damage by other chemicals and radiation. Katherine is
also interested in studying how arsenic increases risk of
developing Type 2 diabetes, one of the future aims of the
Hamilton lab. She plans to continue her independent research
in the lab next year.
Fellowships: Katherine joined
Joshua
Hamilton’s laboratory in 2002 on a
Women
in Science Project (WISP) Fellowship that funded her
to pursue independent research during her first year.
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Bethany
Fleishman
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Bethany Fleishman |
St. Lawrence University '03
Degree: B.S. Biology
Mentor: Nancy
Serrell, Associate Director for Outreach, CEHS
Projects: An outreach intern since 2001, Bethany
developed the content of the Trace Element Analysis Laboratory
web site, the Critters in the Connecticut web page, and in collaboration
with Audrey Campbell, the Student Profiles section of the Dartmouth
Toxic Metals Program web site. She has developed other outreach
materials including a brochure and poster, again in collaboration
with other interns. She has also contributed photographs to
the CEHS and Toxic Metals web sites. She plans to pursue a career
in environmental health particularly focusing on public health
and environmental justice.
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Peter Ostendorp
Dartmouth College ’03
 |
Peter Ostendorp
|
Degree: B.A. Engineering;
returning in 2003-4 for BE, Thayer School of Engineering
Mentor: Nancy
Serrell, Associate Director for Outreach, CEHS
Projects: Peter has been at the CEHS since
the summer of 2001. Working with interns Hillary Young and Bethany
Fleishman, he coded and helped design the web pages for the
Molecular Biomarkers and Trace Elements Analysis Laboratories,
and he did science writing for the Toxic Metals web site. He
worked with middle-school students at the Newton School in South
Strafford, Vermont, to develop their educational web site on
the Elizabeth Mine, a former copper mine in the community that
was recently designated a Superfund site. This led to his designing
a citizens’ web site with members of the Elizabeth Mine
Community Advisory Group. Peter will be returning to Dartmouth
in the fall of 2003 to finish his Bachelors of Engineering Degree.
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Hillary Young
 |
Hillary Young |
University of Pennsylvania ‘03
Degree: B.A. Psychology
Mentor: Nancy
Serrell, Associate Director for Outreach, CEHS
Projects: With CEHS for the summer of 2001,
Hillary developed the content for the Molecular Biomarkers
Laboratory web site, as well as collaborating with intern
Bethany Fleishman on designing a poster demonstrating the
interrelationships of research projects in Dartmouth’s
Toxic Metals Research Program.
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Audrey Campbell
 |
Audrey Campbell
|
Dartmouth College ’02
Degree: B.A. Biology modified with Anthropology
Mentor: Nancy
Serrell, Associate Director for Outreach, CEHS
Projects: Audrey worked at CEHS during the
fall and spring of 2001, and came back as a part-time graduate
intern in the fall of 2002. Her main project has been collaborating
with Montshire Museum educator Lou-Anne Conroy on the Environmental
Detectives environmental science curriculum. She took the
lead on developing the Environmental Detectives web site and
produced a report on educational outreach nationwide. Other
projects include developing the Critters in the Connecticut
brochure and booth as well as writing sundry news briefs and
profiles. Her future plans include returning to school for
a doctoral degree in ecology after a stint in Americorps.
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Salil Sharma
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Salil Sharma |
Dartmouth College ’05
Mentor:
Laura Turner, Webmaster/Assistant to the Director, CEHS
Major: Double major in Computer Science and
Economics
Projects:
Salil began work with the Center in the summer of 2002, making
technical improvements to the web sites produced by CEHS and
the Toxic Metals Research Program. He re-coded most of the
web sites for the entire program, including the main CEHS
site and the Toxic Metals Research Program web site, creating
platforms for easy maintenance. He then migrated the entire
web content to a Linux environment in the CEHS office. He
works mainly with Java, Javascript, and C++ to solve many
of the computer difficulties in the CEHS web world.
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