Sascha presents the lab’s research at the Davis Science Cafe as the first faculty speaker from the Department of Environmental Toxicology in the event’s 12-year history. He explains how environmental toxicants like DDT evade the body’s cellular defense proteins by acting as “molecular distractors,” binding to protective transporter proteins and keeping them occupied so other harmful chemicals can slip into cells undetected. Also see: https://lettersandsciencemag.ucdavis.edu/science-technology/sneaking-past-bouncers. 

Sascha joined UC Davis’s Aggie Jumpstart and Aggie Ambassadors organizations for a student-faculty networking mixer at the Student Community Center, sharing insights on environmental toxicology research, career pathways, and personal advice with first-generation and low-income CAES students. The event brought faculty and students together in an informal roundtable setting designed to spark mentorship and open doors to new academic opportunities.

UC Davis Assistant Professor Sascha Nicklisch, left, and USDA-ARS research entomologist Julia Fine stand with bee hives. The duo partnered to investigate a treatment that targets varroa mites without harming honey bees.

Sascha (right) mingling with colleagues (Evan Tjeerdema, left) and presenting a 10-year long research synthesis on the molecular mechanism underlying yellowfin tuna pollutant bioaccumulation at the SETAC North America 46th Annual Meeting. A collaborative projects between the Hamdoun lab (SIO/UCSD), the Change lab (UCSD), and the Nicklisch Lab (UCD).