Alison Sanders received a grant to support an undergraduate student’s research

Alison Sanders, assistant professor in Pitt’s School of Public Health, earned the Undergraduate Faculty Research Grant from the Society of Toxicology.

The society’s Faculty United for Toxicology Undergraduate Research and Education committee selected Sanders’ application for the award, which will support the research of Pitt Public Health undergraduate Annika Spencer.

“Annika is an outstanding student in our Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree program,” Sanders said. “This award will enhance her support in a yearslong research experience in climate change-related kidney toxicology.”

Spencer demonstrated her commitment to the discipline by joining the Sanders’ laboratory as an undergraduate scholar and conducting a literature review of the subject. She also participated in a three-week summer research field experience in Suriname to complement her planned studies in heat stress and environmental toxicology.

Sanders’ laboratory studies the combined effects of heat stress and environmental contaminants and their potential impact on kidney function and disease, including chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology. This type of kidney disease disproportionately affects rural communities in tropical and subtropical regions who experience the effects of climate change as well as environmental pollution.