Petra A. Tsuji

Mentor: Dr. Tom Walle
 

Education:
B.S, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Univ, Germany .1990,
M.S. , Johann Wolfgang Goethe Univ, Germany, 1994
M.S., College of Chareston  2002

Graduated: 2007

Postdoctoral:
Cancer Prevention Fellowship program at NCI, Bethesda

kauppert@musc.edu

  
Peko talks about the MBES Program

(Quicktime Movie)
RESEARCH
My research focuses on chemical-induced carcinogenesis caused by environmental contaminants, more specifically the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo[a] pyrene. In humans and marine animals this compound has been shown to cause adverse biological effects through the formation of DNA-adducts: benzo[a]pyrene is a lung carcinogen in humans and a liver carcinogen in fish. I am interested in mechanisms involved in the prevention of formation of such adducts though common dietary flavonoids. For this purpose I am using human lung and fish hepatic cell models. Preliminary investigations have found certain flavonoids to dramatically reduce the DNA-binding of benzo[a]pyrene in cell culture. The mechanisms involved in this inhibition are the main topic of my research.

 

HONORS AND AWARDS                                                                                                                                                                                    

2006 MUSC College of Graduate Studies Student Leadership Award
 

2006 SC Alliance for Cancer Chemoprevention – best poster presentation (3rd place)
 

2005 SigmaXi Award – best poster presentation at Student Research Day (1st place)
 

2005 MUSC Student Research Day – best poster presentation (1st place)
 

2003 Carolinas Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry – best platform presentation (3rd place)
 

2002 MUSC Student Research Day – best poster presentation (1st place)


2004 EPA STAR Fellowship for Graduate Environmental Study (August 2004 – August 2007)
 

2002 NSF-funded “Low Country Partners for Inquiry Teaching and Learning” Fellowship (1 year)
 

2001 Joanna Foundation Fellowship (University of Charleston, SC)
 

MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS      
                                                                                                              

SigmaXi – Scientific Research Society (1999–present)
 

Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (2002-present)
 

American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (1999-2003)
 

VOLUNTEER / COMMUNITY SERVICE        
                                                                                      

South Carolina State Student Association – Executive Officer (Secretary) (2005–present)
 

Habitat for Humanity, Coastal Clean-up Blitz, Taste of Charleston (2001-2005)
 

Charleston County Science Fair – Help Desk at Charleston County Library (2000-2003)
 

Science Fair Judge for Academic Magnet High School (2001-2003)
 

Adult leader with the Boy Scouts of America (1996–2000)      
                                                                                         

Committee Chair & Scout Master for Venturing Crew #1670 of Boy Scouts of America (1996–1999)
 

Volunteer with the SC Center for Birds of Prey (1996-1999)         
                                                                   

River Guide with Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Association (1996-1999)          
                                                                         

Juvenile Restitution Program (1995-1999)

 

INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES AT THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA (MUSC)

Teaching assistant to departmental seminar series (2003-present)

International Association – President (2006-2007)

Student Government Association – executive officer (Secretary & webmaster) (2003-2006)


Search Committee for Director of Office of Student Diversity – student representative (2005-2006)


Women’s History Month Committee – student representative (2004-2005)


Multicultural Graduate Student Association – Vice President (2004-2005)


Thomas A. Pitts Memorial Lectureship – student representative (2004)


Multicultural Graduate Student Association – member and webmaster (2003-present)


Graduate Student Association – departmental representative and webmaster (2003-2005)


Student Advisory Committee to University Diversity Council – student representative (2003-2005)


MUSC Presidential Scholar (2002-2003)