News

Written by John Chadwick | School of Arts and Sciences

Saliva samples from general population could ‘crack the code’

People across the U.S. can now contribute to critical cancer research without leaving the comfort of their own home.

Rutgers University professors have launched a major study into the underlying genetics of breast cancer that makes it easy for any U.S. resident over the age of 18 to participate. All that’s needed is to fill out a brief online questionnaire and mail in a sample of

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Dr. Samhita Yadavalli received the "FIGS Faculty Mentor of the Year” award presented at the FIGS (First-year Interest Group Seminars) 25th Anniversary dinner.   The FIGS course that Dr. Yadavalli mentored was “Exploring Health and Medicine” which was taught by senior Genetics major, Fawaaz Masood.   Fawaaz is currently a research assistant in Dr. Gleb Shumyatsky's Lab, a DLS Student Ambassador and the President of Rutgers Habitat for Humanity.  

Two of the first-year FIG students who took the course

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Scientists from several SAS departments have created a new genetic model in mice that can be used to study psychiatric conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The research, which involves identifying a molecule that regulates dopamine, was recently published in the journal, Molecular Psychiatry. "PTSD is a debilitating illness that's extremely difficult to treat because we still do not fully understand the mechanisms behind it,"

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Achieving a doctorate is a remarkable accomplishment that reflects years of dedication, research, and academic excellence. Congratulations!

Leelabati (Leela) Biswas
B.A. in Biochemistry, Widener University
“The contribution of inherited maternal variation in kinesin genes to egg aneuploidy in fertility patients”
Thesis Advisor: Karen Schindler, Ph.D.
Graduate Program in Microbiology & Molecular Genetics

Kiranmayi Vemuri
M.S. in Biotechnology, New York University
B.Sc/M.Sc in Biotechnology, Andhra

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Advances understanding of genetics causing egg abnormalities in humans 
by Kitta MacPherson

In what could be a major advance in understanding the genetic causes underlying human infertility, scientists led by researchers from Rutgers University-New Brunswick have identified a gene variant directly tied to early miscarriages in women.

The discovery of the variant is linked to accelerated reproductive aging, a condition producing high numbers of abnormal eggs that can lead to miscarriages. The

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Researchers will look at the potential health hazards of ingested plastic particles on the intestine and other organs and tissues.

Rutgers received a $3.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the impact of micronanoplastics on the digestive system.

The byproduct of environmental and industrial processes, micro- and nano-scale plastic particles and fibers increasingly contaminate the environment. These plastics — now found in our food, air and water — are a potential health

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Congratulations to Dr. Katherine Maniates for her K99 NIH Pathway to Independence Award for her work entitled, "Role of PGM-3 and SPE-56 in fertilization and egg activation".

Infertility impacts one in five couples globally. For many of these couples, the sperm and egg look completely normal. This complicates determining treatments for infertility. Dr. Maniates' work focuses on discovering and characterizing the genes that are required for fertilization to occur. In particular, this work

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Congratulations to the 2024 Henry Rutgers Scholars Recipients!

 

 

 

 

Two Rutgers Genetics Professors Named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science 

To view the article of the five Rutgers Professors to receive this honor, please click here. Dr. Maureen Barr and Dr. Christopher Rongo, two Department of Genetics faculty will be highlighted below.

Maureen Barr 

Nick Romanenko/Rutgers University

Distinguished Professor of Genetics, School of Arts and Sciences

For leadership in several aspects of ciliary signaling, including how cilia give

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Happy Genetic Counseling Match Day Kamyrn Bush, Sydnee Mcilvaine and Ethan Rust!

 Click on their picture to learn more about Kamryn, Sydnee and Ethan!

 

Congratulations to Kim McKim who was awarded the School of Graduate Studies Faculty Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring Award! For many years Kim has made substantial contributions to graduate education for the Molecular Biosciences graduate program, and it is nice to see his efforts recognized.

  Please click here to read the Faculty Spotlight article about Dr. Christina Bergey.

 

Congratulations to Dr. Michael Verzi!

Michael Verzi Appointed to the Duncan and Nancy MacMillan Endowed Chair in Cancer Genomics Rutgers Today article can be found here.

 

 

Congratulations to Gary Heiman!

 Professor Heiman is the recipient of the Warren I. Susman Award for Excellence in Teaching for the academic year 2022-2023. Rutgers Today article can be found here.

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2023 These photos were taken at our annual Senior Celebration Ceremony on Friday, May 12, 2023.

     

4/21/23- A publication by Gary Heiman and others was awarded the Best Clinical Research Paper of the year in Epilepsia (2022), the premiere scientific journal for all aspects of epilepsy and seizures. This award was voted on by the Editor and Associate Editors of Epilepsia as well as Leadership of International League Against Epilepsy. See Rutgers Today Press Release about the findings.

Huge congratulations to graduate student Leela Biswas!

Leela Biswas, M.D./Ph.D. student in Karen Schindler’s lab, has been selected as the winner (from 1200 applicants!) of the American Medical Association’s 2022 Research Challenge!

American Medical Association Announcement: 

Info on Leela’s work, poster, and podcast is here.

AMA audio interview and transcript 

AMA Twitter link (spread the news!)

Congratulations to Christopher Ellison and Michael Verzi!

Professor Elllison is the recipient of the 2021-2022 Presidential Fellowship for Teaching Excellence Award. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 Professor Verzi is the recipient of the 2021-2022 Board of Trustees Award for Excellence in Research.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research by Dr. Devanshi Jain showcased on SAS News website: 

https://www.rutgers.edu/news/new-research-sheds-light-causes-reproductive-disorders-infertility-miscarriage-birth-defects

 

Genetic counseling certificate program: A program evaluation of undergraduate exposure to genetic counseling Abstract

Undergraduate genetic counseling exposure can generate interest in a growing field, help students prepare to apply to graduate-level programs, and introduce underrepresented populations to the career. One form of exposure that currently exists is the Genetic Counseling Certificate Program (GCCP), which is offered to undergraduate students at Rutgers University. To determine the

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