My name is Ezrina, and I am a senior biology and psychology double major on the pre-med track at UMass Amherst. As the fourth generation of the “Team RichCo”, my partner Sr. RichCo researcher, Karina, and I have been building upon a prior graduate thesis, investigating the impact of environmental toxins on larval zebrafish development.

Together, we have advanced this work by refining experimental methods and exploring new avenues of inquiry. I joined the Karlstrom Lab during my freshman year. At the end of my sophomore year, I received the RichCo Undergraduate Research Award and began working with my senior mentor, Diego Sanchez Rosa, to investigate the dose-response relationship of two environmental toxicants, PFOS and MEHP, and their effects on the development of larval zebrafish.

Our research revealed that a combination of PFOS and MEHP significantly reduced the length of the exocrine pancreas, with the most pronounced effects observed at a concentration of 16μ M PFOS with 0.07% MEHP. Currently, Karina and I have been exploring the effects of “forever chemicals”, PFHxS and PFOS, on larval zebrafish pancreatic cell proliferation. In collaboration with Karina, I have developed an effective method to dissect larval zebrafish pancreas dissections, a critical step in advancing the accuracy of our investigations.

Moving forward, we will be examining how these toxicants affect cell death and DNA repair in the zebrafish pancreas. After graduation, I plan to take two gap years and gain clinical experience to further prepare for medical school. These experiences will build upon the invaluable skills and insights I’ve gained during my RichCo research journey. Thank you to Dr. Steve Richter and Tommy Goodrow for creating this transformative opportunity to learn the ins and outs of developmental/toxicology research and inspiring my growth as a young biologist.