Chris Vulpe
Professor, Physiological Sciences, University of Florida
Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology
Tel: (352) 294-5821
Email: cvulpe(at)ufl.edu
Ph.D. 1994, Genetics, M.D. 1996, University of California, San Francisco
Research Scientists
Mani Tagmount
Email: atagmount(at)ufl.edu
Danielle Ivey
I have a BS in Environmental Science. I worked for a commercial aquatic toxicology lab for 2 years. At the Center for Human and Environmental Toxicology (CEHT) I am working on setting up and maintaining daphnia aquaculture, as well as maintaining the inventory. I also work on the Colorado School of Mines metals project. I will begin work on my Ph. D. in fall 2016, I hope. I should be starting a project soon, (to be determined). In my free time, I volunteer at a local endangered animal sanctuary taking care of big cats, bears and primates.
Email: dlivey(at)ufl.edu
Email: dlivey(at)ufl.edu
Postdoctoral Researchers
Data Analysis Specialist
Alex Loguinov
Projects involved with: Toxicogenomics, Ecotoxicogenomics
(Microarray Bioinformatics / Data Analysis / Statistical Programming / Biostatistics)
Applying statistical, computational and programming tools to evaluation and validation of algorithms for gene expression data analysis based on microarray experiments (mostly in metal toxicology and plant physiology).
Graduate Students
Marianna Augustine
Projects Involved with: Ecotoxicogenomics
I am a third year PhD student at the University of California, Berkeley, in Molecular Toxicology. My research questions ask “Are greener biofuels activating AHR pathway in fish species?” and “Are Daphnia magna sensitive to endocrine disrupting compounds?” Using a comparative toxicogenomics approach, my work will increase the understanding of how the design of new compounds may reduce risk to aquatic species. My experiments aim to link the effects of toxicity at multiple levels: genomic, physiological/functional, and behavioral. In my spare time, I enjoy sight-seeing, traveling, cooking, and trying new coffeeshops.
Email: mcaugustine(at)berkeley.edu
B.S. Biology (Cell Biology). Hood College, Frederick, MD
M.S. Coastal Studies and Ecotoxicology. University of West Florida.
I am a third year PhD student at the University of California, Berkeley, in Molecular Toxicology. My research questions ask “Are greener biofuels activating AHR pathway in fish species?” and “Are Daphnia magna sensitive to endocrine disrupting compounds?” Using a comparative toxicogenomics approach, my work will increase the understanding of how the design of new compounds may reduce risk to aquatic species. My experiments aim to link the effects of toxicity at multiple levels: genomic, physiological/functional, and behavioral. In my spare time, I enjoy sight-seeing, traveling, cooking, and trying new coffeeshops.
Email: mcaugustine(at)berkeley.edu
B.S. Biology (Cell Biology). Hood College, Frederick, MD
M.S. Coastal Studies and Ecotoxicology. University of West Florida.
David Faulkner
Projects involved with: Green Chemistry and High-throuput Toxicity Models,
I’m a third year PhD Candidate in Molecular Toxicology at UC Berkeley and a SAGE fellow at the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry (BCGC). My primary research focus is hazard assessment for industrial chemicals, and my secondary focus is the related field of rational molecular design. Essentially, I’m interested in two questions: how do we determine if something is hazardous (and the ways that it's hazardous) to human or environmental health, and how can we use this information early in the chemical design process to help us design safer chemicals? To answer these questions, I use a blend of in vitro and in silico techniques including a functional toxicogenomic yeast system and an array of predictive toxicology software. Outside the lab, I’m committed to science communication and outreach, and have previously contributed to the Risk Bites web series.
Email: dfaulkner(at)berkeley.edu
B.S. Biology, B.A. English, 2011, University of Michigan
M.P.H. Environmental Health Sciences (Concentration in Toxicology), 2013, University of Michigan
I’m a third year PhD Candidate in Molecular Toxicology at UC Berkeley and a SAGE fellow at the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry (BCGC). My primary research focus is hazard assessment for industrial chemicals, and my secondary focus is the related field of rational molecular design. Essentially, I’m interested in two questions: how do we determine if something is hazardous (and the ways that it's hazardous) to human or environmental health, and how can we use this information early in the chemical design process to help us design safer chemicals? To answer these questions, I use a blend of in vitro and in silico techniques including a functional toxicogenomic yeast system and an array of predictive toxicology software. Outside the lab, I’m committed to science communication and outreach, and have previously contributed to the Risk Bites web series.
Email: dfaulkner(at)berkeley.edu
B.S. Biology, B.A. English, 2011, University of Michigan
M.P.H. Environmental Health Sciences (Concentration in Toxicology), 2013, University of Michigan
Faith Lambert
Projects Involved with: Ecotoxicogenomics
I am a PhD student at the University of Florida in the Physiological Sciences department located in the Center of Environmental and Human Toxicology. I am broadly interested in comparative endocrinology, molecular physiology, and toxicology. My dissertation research will focus on the development of in vitro assays for endocrine disrupting chemicals that can provide a more accurate representation of environmental health.
Email: fnlambert(at)ufl.edu
B.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Biological Sciences, 2012, Michigan Technological University
M.S. Coastal Sciences, 2014, University of Southern Mississippi
I am a PhD student at the University of Florida in the Physiological Sciences department located in the Center of Environmental and Human Toxicology. I am broadly interested in comparative endocrinology, molecular physiology, and toxicology. My dissertation research will focus on the development of in vitro assays for endocrine disrupting chemicals that can provide a more accurate representation of environmental health.
Email: fnlambert(at)ufl.edu
B.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Biological Sciences, 2012, Michigan Technological University
M.S. Coastal Sciences, 2014, University of Southern Mississippi
Amin Sobh
Projects Involved with: Copper and Iron Metabolism
I'm a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, in Comparative Biochemistry. My research focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms of cellular iron release, especially in monocytes and macrophages. I'm further interested in studying differences in iron metabolism among the different macrophage populations. My projects also involve using cellular assays to study iron metabolism in different mouse tissues.
Email: amin.sobh(at)berkeley.edu
B.S Biochemistry, 2008, Lebanese University
M.S Biotechnology, 2013, American University of Science and Technology, Lebanon
I'm a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, in Comparative Biochemistry. My research focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms of cellular iron release, especially in monocytes and macrophages. I'm further interested in studying differences in iron metabolism among the different macrophage populations. My projects also involve using cellular assays to study iron metabolism in different mouse tissues.
Email: amin.sobh(at)berkeley.edu
B.S Biochemistry, 2008, Lebanese University
M.S Biotechnology, 2013, American University of Science and Technology, Lebanon
Rola Zeidan
Projects involved with: High-throuput Toxicity Models, Mitotoxicity and Metabolomics.
I'm a PhD.student at the University of Florida, in Physiological Sciences, an interdisciplinary program (IDP). I am working on part of the California Breast Cancer Research Project (CBCRP), metabolic profiling of inbred mice, and using yeast as models to investigate the effect of toxicants on mitochondrial signaling (Mitotox). While scientific research is my passion, I also like to play tennis and hike in nature.
Email: rzeidan(at)ufl.edu
B.Sc. Animal Biology, Lebanese University
M.Sc. Bioanalytical Toxicology, American University of Science and Technology
I'm a PhD.student at the University of Florida, in Physiological Sciences, an interdisciplinary program (IDP). I am working on part of the California Breast Cancer Research Project (CBCRP), metabolic profiling of inbred mice, and using yeast as models to investigate the effect of toxicants on mitochondrial signaling (Mitotox). While scientific research is my passion, I also like to play tennis and hike in nature.
Email: rzeidan(at)ufl.edu
B.Sc. Animal Biology, Lebanese University
M.Sc. Bioanalytical Toxicology, American University of Science and Technology
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Unaiza Batool
Projects involved with: XXX.
4th year undergraduate student majoring in Biology with a Pre-Medical track. I'm the President of the Speech and Debate Society at UF and I compete in Individual Events (Speech). I hope to pursue surgery as a career in the future..
Email: ubatool(at)ufl.edu
4th year undergraduate student majoring in Biology with a Pre-Medical track. I'm the President of the Speech and Debate Society at UF and I compete in Individual Events (Speech). I hope to pursue surgery as a career in the future..
Email: ubatool(at)ufl.edu
Linda Dao
Projects involved with: XXX.
I am a third year biology major pursuing a minor in sustainability. This is my third semester at the Vulpe Lab. I help maintain Daphnia magna cultures for testing. My passions include reducing landfill waste and spicy food.
Email: ldao(at)ufl.edu
I am a third year biology major pursuing a minor in sustainability. This is my third semester at the Vulpe Lab. I help maintain Daphnia magna cultures for testing. My passions include reducing landfill waste and spicy food.
Email: ldao(at)ufl.edu
Spencer Hoffman
Projects involved with: XXX.
I am a third year Biochemistry student at the University of Florida and am expected to graduate in 2018. I currently work a research assistant to Danielle Ivey where I am responsible for maintaining daphnia cultures. In my free time I work as a math tutor and volunteer at the hospital.
Email: spencerbhoffman(at)ufl.edu
I am a third year Biochemistry student at the University of Florida and am expected to graduate in 2018. I currently work a research assistant to Danielle Ivey where I am responsible for maintaining daphnia cultures. In my free time I work as a math tutor and volunteer at the hospital.
Email: spencerbhoffman(at)ufl.edu