Emily Leonard, iCons Senior, Receives UMass Rising Researcher Award

In the lab of Dr. Alicia Timme-Laragy, Emily is investigating the impacts of long-term dietary exposure to tBHQ on zebrafish. tBHQ is a commonly used synthetic food preservative, and while it has been linked to developmental impairment, carcinogenicity, and DNA damage, few studies have assessed the effects of tBHQ on growth parameters, organ development, and gene expression like Emily’s project is. In addition, she is examining developmental effects, such as pancreas and liver development, nutrient composition, and lipid distribution in zebrafish larvae. Because humans have high exposure to tBHQ when consuming processed foods, this research is vital and has huge potential to improve our understanding of chronic diseases—particularly in marginalized communities. Recently, Emily had the opportunity to present her research at the 2022 Society of Toxicology conference. The abstract for this project is also published in The Toxicologist. In addition, Emily is published in the Journal of Diabetes as a co-author of a study on the role of redox signaling in type 2 diabetes beta cell dysfunction.

Emily was also an undergraduate teaching assistant for Public Health 301, and served six semesters as an RA. She is also a student leader for the Boltwood Project, which helps women with mental health disorders living in a group home.

As a first-generation college student, Emily initially faced hardships while navigating UMass. “I often felt alone in deciding my next steps, both in academics and research,” she says, “However, UMass has offered me so many great resources and amazing mentors that have helped me carve out a path that suits my interests.”

What’s next for Emily? Next year, she will be attending Boston University School of Public Health to pursue a doctorate in Environmental Health. You’ll find her in the lab of Dr. Birgit Claus Henn, where she will be investigating the associations of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on various reproductive and birth outcomes among offspring of The Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF). After graduate school, she will continue her career in Environmental Epidemiology.

She specifically acknowledges the mentorship of her advisor, Dr. Timme-Laragy, and the members of the Timme-Laragy Lab in appreciation of her award. However, the award can also be attributed to Emily’s hard work. “This award means a great deal to me,” she says, “It shows my determination and perseverance in the lab is recognized by others, but it also shows that my research is supported by the larger UMass community and has the potential to make meaningful contributions to the conversations in my field.”