Nicholas Santiago
Student Representative (Term 2019 - 2022)
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of California, Santa Cruz
Nicholas Santiago graduated from Cornell University in May 2015 with a B.S. in Biology and Society and a concentration in Neurobiology and Behavior. After graduation he accepted a full-time laboratory position at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and was later recruited as a Research Coordinator at Northeast Ohio Medical University. His research characterized the cognitive, motor, and molecular effects of the environmental toxicant manganese on a genetic mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. After two years of full-time research he applied to the Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology doctoral program at the University of California, Santa Cruz to work in Dr. Donald Smith’s lab. Now in his second year, he is continuing his work on manganese neurotoxicity by investigating how manganese exposure induces mis-regulation of gene expression to alter neurodevelopment. Nicholas is excited to get involved in the NorCal SETAC community and learn the behind the scenes processes that are necessary to effectively organize and run a conference. As a student representative he plans to use his leadership and managerial experience to actively promote existing SETAC student programs and to develop new opportunities to increase student participation, wellness, and professional development.