SWEHSC Graduate Student Highlight
Many researchers at the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center (SWEHSC) provide opportunities for graduate students to conduct research in their laboratories. These students lead their own projects, support wet-lab procedures, and present their findings at conferences and symposia. Below are highlights of several graduate students working with SWEHSC researchers, showcasing their research as well as the many awards and recognitions they have earned for their dedication and accomplishments.
Talia Owen
Figure 1: Talia Owen (left) and Zelieann Craig, PhD (right)
Talia Owen is a student researcher at the University of Arizona BIO5 Institute in Dr. Zelieann Craig’s lab. Her research focuses on the effect of Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) on mouse ovarian follicles. She studied how DBP impacts cellular compartment size (the compartments being the oocyte, granulosa cells, and theca cells) and antral cavity formation in ovarian secondary follicles in vitro. Additionally, she examines the survival rate of the follicles as well as hormone production. In Dr. Craig's lab, she has also learned histological techniques and is currently undergoing some surgical training in preparation for future in vivo experiments.
In August of 2025, she received 1st place for Best Poster Presentation by an Undergraduate Student at the Mountain West Society of Toxicology conference with her poster titled "In Vitro Exposure to Dibutyl Phthalate and Mouse Ovarian Follicle Cellular Compartment Size".
Israel Aispuro
Figure 2. Israel Aispuro (left) and Haining Zhu, PhD (right)
Israel Aispuro is a 4th Year Neuroscience PhD Student supported by the SWEHSC Environmental Tox T32 program in Dr. Haining Zhu’s laboratory. His current research is focused on Cadmium's effect on neurite differentiation. His lab has found that micromolar doses of Cadmium reduce the amount of N2a cells with neurites as well as the length of neurites. In addition, they have also found some evidence that the beta-catenin signaling pathway is upregulated in neurons exposed to cadmium, which could be the underlying mechanism for cadmiums effects, but further research is needed to verify the signaling cascade findings.
Riley Hellinger
Figure 3. Riley Hellinger (left) and Julie Ledford, PhD (right)
Riley Hellinger is a G3 in the MD-PhD Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson. His dissertation work is focused on the impact of acute cigarette smoke exposure on respiratory epithelial CC16-dependent host defense factors and susceptibility to rhinovirus infection. He is supported by the SWEHSC Environmental Tox T32 program and mentored by Dr. Julie Ledford through the Cellular and Molecular Medicine track of the Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine PhD program.
Riley received an award in May 2025 at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) conference. He was accepted into the Student Scholars Program at the meeting where more than 80 students were selected from an application process. The program exposed the students to cutting-edge science, professional education, and career development. During the program, he had the opportunity to present his research in a session called "Student Presentations at ATS" (SPATS). SPATS is a 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition where students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance. Riley competed in this competition and won 1st place.
Kai McAlister
Figure 4. Kai McAlister (left) and Rick Schnellmann, PhD (right)
Kai McAlister is a PhD candidate, pursuing his PhD in pharmacology and toxicology through the SWEHSC Environmental Tox T32 program under the advisement of Dr. Rick G. Schnellmann, PhD. Kai is currently investigating the role mitochondrially biogenic drugs for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). He is a trainee representative for the Provost's Scholar Engagement Fund and a member of the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society.
In 2025, Kai was awarded the Top Abstract Award at the 2nd University of Arizona Kidney Symposium. In addition, he also received an award from American Society of Nephrology Kidney Tutored Research and Education for Kidney Scholars (TREKS) program, which fosters interest in careers in nephrology and research through a week-long course retreat and long-term mentorship program.