Awards and Recognitions

Members of the Epigenetics and RNA Biology Laboratory (formerly the Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory) have been recognized for their outstanding science and contributions to NIEHS and NIH with a number of awards.  A sample of recent recognitions include the following:

NIGMS PRAT Fellowship

Elizabeth Martin, Ph.D.

Elizabeth Martin, Ph.D., a Postdoctoral IRTA Fellow in Paul Wade, Ph.D.'s group, won a prestigious NIGMS PRAT Fellowship (2019 - 2022).

Lee Langer, Ph.D.

Lee Langer, Ph.D., a Postdoctoral IRTA Fellow in Trevor Archer, Ph.D.'s group, won a prestigious NIGMS PRAT Fellowship (2016 - 2019).

Amanda Conway, Ph.D.

Amanda Conway, Ph.D., a Postdoctoral IRTA Fellow in Raja Jothi, Ph.D.'s group, won a prestigious NIGMS PRAT Fellowship (2014 - 2017).

Division of Intramural Research (DIR) Innovative Research Awards (DIRA)

Motoki Takaku, Ph.D.

Motoki Takaku, Ph.D., a Visiting Fellow in Paul Wade, Ph.D.'s group, won an Innovative Research Award in 2017.

Bart Phillips, Ph.D.

Bart Phillips, Ph.D., a Postdoctoral IRTA Fellow in Traci Hall, Ph.D.'s group, won an Innovative Research Award in 2017.

Awards For Scientific Presentations

Several members of ERBL (formerly ESCBL) have been recognized within NIEHS for their scientific presentations within NIEHS.

NIH Fellows Awards for Research Excellence (FARE)

• 2019
  • Lee Langer, mentored by Trevor Archer
  • Yufeng Qin, mentored by Paul Wade
• 2018
  • Qing Chen, mentored by Guang Hu
  • Amanda Conway, mentored by Raja Jothi
  • Biran Deskin, mentored by Raja Jothi
  • Bart Phillips, mentored by Traci Hall
• 2017
  • Rajneesh Pathania, mentored by Raja Jothi
• 2016
  • Amanda Conway, mentored by Raja Jothi
  • Penyi Yang, mentored by Raja Jothi
  • Xiaofeng Zheng, mentored by Guang Hu
• 2015
  • Andrew Oldfield, mentored by Raja Jothi
  • Penyi Yang, mentored by Raja Jothi
  • Senthilkumar Cinghu, mentored by Raja Jothi
• 2014
  • Senthilkumar Cinghu, mentored by Raja Jothi
  • George Fromm, mentored by Karen Adelman

Science Day Awards

• 2017
  • Best Posters
    • Yufeng Qin, mentored by Paul Wade
    • Rajneesh Pathania, mentored by Raja Jothi
• 2016
  • Best Posters
    • Chris Duncan, mentored by Paul Wade
    • Pishun Li, mentored by Guang Hu
• 2015
  • Best Talk
    • Motoki Takaku, mentored by Paul Wade
  • Best Posters
    • Telmo Henriques, mentored by Karen Adelmen

Papers of the Month

Researchers from within NIEHS (Division of Intramural Research) publish many peer-reviewed articles in a variety of journals each year. NIEHS highlights some of these publications and their importance to the advancement of science by choosing a select few each month as one of the Papers of the Month. Members of ERBL (formerly ESCBL) were recognized in this way multiple times over the last few years, and are listed below.

For 2019

• Mackey LC, Annab LA, Yang J, Rao B, Kissling GE, Schurman SH, Dixon D, Archer TK. 2018. Epigenetic enzymes, age, and ancestry regulate the efficiency of human iPSC reprogramming. Stem Cells 36(11):1697–1708. [Abstract Mackey LC, Annab LA, Yang J, Rao B, Kissling GE, Schurman SH, Dixon D, Archer TK. 2018. Epigenetic enzymes, age, and ancestry regulate the efficiency of human iPSC reprogramming. Stem Cells 36(11):1697–1708.]
• Grimm SA, Shimbo T, Takaku M, Thomas JW, Auerbach S, Bennett BD, Bucher JR, Burkholder AB, Day F, Du Y, Duncan CG, French JE, Foley JF, Li J, Merrick BA, Tice RR, Wang T, Xu X, NISC Comparative Sequencing Program, Buchel PR, Fargo DC, Mullikin JC, Wade PA. 2019. DNA methylation in mice is influenced by genetics as well as sex and life experience. Nat Commun 10(1):305. [Abstract Grimm SA, Shimbo T, Takaku M, Thomas JW, Auerbach S, Bennett BD, Bucher JR, Burkholder AB, Day F, Du Y, Duncan CG, French JE, Foley JF, Li J, Merrick BA, Tice RR, Wang T, Xu X, NISC Comparative Sequencing Program, Buchel PR, Fargo DC, Mullikin JC, Wade PA. 2019. DNA methylation in mice is influenced by genetics as well as sex and life experience. Nat Commun 10(1):305.]

For 2018

• Kang HS, Kumar D, Liao G, Lichti-Kaiser K, Gerrish K, Liao XH, Refetoff S, Jothi R, Jetten AM. (2017) GLIS3 is indispensable for TSH/TSHR-dependent thyroid hormone biosynthesis and follicular cell proliferation. J Clin Invest 127:4326–4337. [Abstract Kang HS, Kumar D, Liao G, Lichti-Kaiser K, Gerrish K, Liao XH, Refetoff S, Jothi R, Jetten AM. (2017) GLIS3 is indispensable for TSH/TSHR-dependent thyroid hormone biosynthesis and follicular cell proliferation. J Clin Invest 127:4326–4337.]
• Qin Y, Roberts JD, Grimm SA, Lih FB, Deterding LJ, Li R, Chrysovergis K, Wade PA. (2018) An obesity-associated gut microbiome reprograms the intestinal epigenome and leads to altered colonic gene expression. Genome Biol 19(1):7. [Abstract Qin Y, Roberts JD, Grimm SA, Lih FB, Deterding LJ, Li R, Chrysovergis K, Wade PA. (2018) An obesity-associated gut microbiome reprograms the intestinal epigenome and leads to altered colonic gene expression. Genome Biol 19(1):7.]
• Takaku M, Grimm SA, Roberts JD, Chrysovergis K, Bennett BD, Myers P, Perera L, Tucker CJ, Perou CM, Wade PA. (2018) GATA3 zinc finger 2 mutations reprogram the breast cancer transcriptional network. Nat Commun 9(1):1059. [Abstract Takaku M, Grimm SA, Roberts JD, Chrysovergis K, Bennett BD, Myers P, Perera L, Tucker CJ, Perou CM, Wade PA. (2018) GATA3 zinc finger 2 mutations reprogram the breast cancer transcriptional network. Nat Commun 9(1):1059.]
• Li Y, Hamilton KJ, Wang T, Coons LA, Jefferson WN, Li R, Wang Y, Grimm SA, Ramsey JT, Liu L, Gerrish KE, Williams CJ, Wade PA, Korach KS. (2018) DNA methylation and transcriptome aberrations mediated by ER alpha in mouse seminal vesicles following developmental DES exposure. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115(18):E4189–E4198. [Abstract Li Y, Hamilton KJ, Wang T, Coons LA, Jefferson WN, Li R, Wang Y, Grimm SA, Ramsey JT, Liu L, Gerrish KE, Williams CJ, Wade PA, Korach KS. (2018) DNA methylation and transcriptome aberrations mediated by ER alpha in mouse seminal vesicles following developmental DES exposure. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115(18):E4189–E4198.]
• Hoffman JA, Trotter KW, Ward JM, Archer TK. (2018) BRG1 governs glucocorticoid receptor interactions with chromatin and pioneer factors across the genome. Elife 7:e35073. [Abstract Hoffman JA, Trotter KW, Ward JM, Archer TK. (2018) BRG1 governs glucocorticoid receptor interactions with chromatin and pioneer factors across the genome. Elife 7:e35073.]

For 2017:

• Zhang J, Gonzalez LE, Hall TM. (2017) Structural analysis reveals the flexible C-terminus of Nop15 undergoes rearrangement to recognize a pre-ribosomal RNA folding intermediate. Nucleic Acids Res 45(5): 2829-2837. [Abstract Zhang J, Gonzalez LE, Hall TM. (2017) Structural analysis reveals the flexible C-terminus of Nop15 undergoes rearrangement to recognize a pre-ribosomal RNA folding intermediate. Nucleic Acids Res 45(5): 2829-2837.]
• Lavender CA, Shapiro AJ, Burkholder AB, Bennett BD, Adelman K, Fargo DC. (2017) ORIO (Online Resource for Integrative Omics): a web-based platform for rapid integration of next generation sequencing data. Nucleic Acids Res; doi: 10.1093/nar/gkx270. [Abstract Lavender CA, Shapiro AJ, Burkholder AB, Bennett BD, Adelman K, Fargo DC. (2017) ORIO (Online Resource for Integrative Omics): a web-based platform for rapid integration of next generation sequencing data. Nucleic Acids Res; doi: 10.1093/nar/gkx270.]
• Zhou B, Liu J, Ren Z, Yao F, Ma J, Song J, Bennett B, Zhen Y, Wang L, Hu G, Hu S. (2017) Cnot3 enhances human embryonic cardiomyocyte proliferation by promoting cell cycle inhibitor mRNA degradation. Sci Rep 7(1):1500. [Abstract Zhou B, Liu J, Ren Z, Yao F, Ma J, Song J, Bennett B, Zhen Y, Wang L, Hu G, Hu S. (2017) Cnot3 enhances human embryonic cardiomyocyte proliferation by promoting cell cycle inhibitor mRNA degradation. Sci Rep 7(1):1500.]
• Singh AP, Foley J, Tandon A, Phadke D, Kinyamu HK, Archer TK. (2017) A role for BRG1 in the regulation of genes required for development of the lymphatic system. Oncotarget 8:54925–54938. [Abstract Singh AP, Foley J, Tandon A, Phadke D, Kinyamu HK, Archer TK. (2017) A role for BRG1 in the regulation of genes required for development of the lymphatic system. Oncotarget 8:54925–54938.]
• Cinghu S, Yang P, Kosak JP, Conway AE, Kumar D, Oldfield AJ, Adelman K, Jothi R. (2017) Intragenic enhancers attenuate host gene expression. Mol Cell 68(1):104−117.e6. [Abstract Cinghu S, Yang P, Kosak JP, Conway AE, Kumar D, Oldfield AJ, Adelman K, Jothi R. (2017) Intragenic enhancers attenuate host gene expression. Mol Cell 68(1):104−117.e6.]
• Li P, Wang L, Bennett BD, Wang J, Li J, Qin Y, Takaku M, Wade PA, Wong J, Hu G. (2017) Rif1 promotes a repressive chromatin state to safeguard against endogenous retrovirus activation. Nucleic Acids Res; doi: 10.1093/nar/gkx884. [Abstract Li P, Wang L, Bennett BD, Wang J, Li J, Qin Y, Takaku M, Wade PA, Wong J, Hu G. (2017) Rif1 promotes a repressive chromatin state to safeguard against endogenous retrovirus activation. Nucleic Acids Res; doi: 10.1093/nar/gkx884.]

For 2016:

• Zheng X, Yang P, Lackford B, Bennett BD, Wang L, Li H, Wang Y, Miao Y, Foley JF, Fargo DC, Jin Y, Williams CJ, Jothi R, Hu G. (2016) CNOT3-Dependent mRNA Deadenylation Safeguards the Pluripotent State. Stem Cell Reports 7(5):897-910. [Abstract Zheng X, Yang P, Lackford B, Bennett BD, Wang L, Li H, Wang Y, Miao Y, Foley JF, Fargo DC, Jin Y, Williams CJ, Jothi R, Hu G. (2016) CNOT3-Dependent mRNA Deadenylation Safeguards the Pluripotent State. Stem Cell Reports 7(5):897-910.]
• Zhang J, McCann KL, Qiu C, Gonzalez LE, Baserga SJ, Hall TMT. Nop9 is a PUF-like protein that prevents premature cleavage to correctly process pre-18S rRNA. Nat Commun 2016 7():13085-. [Abstract Zhang J, McCann KL, Qiu C, Gonzalez LE, Baserga SJ, Hall TMT. Nop9 is a PUF-like protein that prevents premature cleavage to correctly process pre-18S rRNA. Nat Commun 2016 7():13085-.]
• Zhang S, Zhou B, Wang L, Li P, Bennett BD, Snyder R, Garantziotis S, Fargo DC, Cox AD, Chen L, Hu G. INO80 is required for oncogenic transcription and tumor growth in non-small cell lung cancer. Oncogene. 2016 Sep 19. doi: 10.1038/onc.2016.311. [Abstract Zhang S, Zhou B, Wang L, Li P, Bennett BD, Snyder R, Garantziotis S, Fargo DC, Cox AD, Chen L, Hu G. INO80 is required for oncogenic transcription and tumor growth in non-small cell lung cancer. Oncogene. 2016 Sep 19. doi: 10.1038/onc.2016.311.]
• Harlid S, Adgent M, Jefferson WN, Panduri V, Umbach DM, Xu Z, Stallings VA, Williams CJ, Rogan WJ, Taylor JA. (2017) Soy formula and epigenetic modifications: analysis of vaginal epithelial cells from infant girls in the IFED Study. Environ Health Perspect 125(3):447-452. [Abstract Harlid S, Adgent M, Jefferson WN, Panduri V, Umbach DM, Xu Z, Stallings VA, Williams CJ, Rogan WJ, Taylor JA. (2017) Soy formula and epigenetic modifications: analysis of vaginal epithelial cells from infant girls in the IFED Study. Environ Health Perspect 125(3):447-452.]
• Lavender CA, Cannady KR, Hoffman JA, Trotter KW, Gilchrist DA, Bennett BD, Burkholder AB, Burd CJ, Fargo DC, Archer TK. (2016) Downstream antisense transcription predicts genomic features that define the specific chromatin environment at mammalian promoters. PLoS Genet 12(8):e1006224. [Abstract Lavender CA, Cannady KR, Hoffman JA, Trotter KW, Gilchrist DA, Bennett BD, Burkholder AB, Burd CJ, Fargo DC, Archer TK. (2016) Downstream antisense transcription predicts genomic features that define the specific chromatin environment at mammalian promoters. PLoS Genet 12(8):e1006224.]
• Zhou B, Wang L, Zhang S, Bennett BD, He F, Zhang Y, Xiong C, Han L, Diao L, Li P, Fargo DC, Cox AD, Hu G. INO80 governs superenhancer-mediated oncogenic transcription and tumor growth in melanoma. Genes Dev. 2016 Jun 15;30(12):1440-53. doi: 10.1101/gad.277178.115. [Abstract Zhou B, Wang L, Zhang S, Bennett BD, He F, Zhang Y, Xiong C, Han L, Diao L, Li P, Fargo DC, Cox AD, Hu G. INO80 governs superenhancer-mediated oncogenic transcription and tumor growth in melanoma. Genes Dev. 2016 Jun 15;30(12):1440-53. doi: 10.1101/gad.277178.115.]
• Singh AP, Foley JF, Rubino M, Boyle MC, Tandon A, Shah R, Archer TK. (2016) Brg1 enables rapid growth of the early embryo by suppressing genes that regulate apoptosis and cell growth arrest. Mol Cell Biol 36(15):1990-2010. [Abstract Singh AP, Foley JF, Rubino M, Boyle MC, Tandon A, Shah R, Archer TK. (2016) Brg1 enables rapid growth of the early embryo by suppressing genes that regulate apoptosis and cell growth arrest. Mol Cell Biol 36(15):1990-2010.]
• Takaku M, Grimm SA, Shimbo T, Perera L, Menafra R, Stunnenberg HG, Archer TK, Machida S, Kurumizaka H, Wade PA. GATA3-dependent cellular reprogramming requires activation-domain dependent recruitment of a chromatin remodeler. Genome Biology 2016 17:article number 36. [Abstract Takaku M, Grimm SA, Shimbo T, Perera L, Menafra R, Stunnenberg HG, Archer TK, Machida S, Kurumizaka H, Wade PA. GATA3-dependent cellular reprogramming requires activation-domain dependent recruitment of a chromatin remodeler. Genome Biology 2016 17:article number 36.]

For 2015:

• Wade SL, Langer LF, Ward JM, Archer TK. 2015. MiRNA-mediated regulation of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex controls pluripotency and endodermal differentiation in human ESCs. Stem Cells; doi:10.1002/stem.2084 [Online 29 June 2015]. [Abstract Wade SL, Langer LF, Ward JM, Archer TK. 2015. MiRNA-mediated regulation of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex controls pluripotency and endodermal differentiation in human ESCs. Stem Cells; doi:10.1002/stem.2084 [Online 29 June 2015].]