Renee Owen

Postion: PhD student
Molecular Toxicology Group
Renee Owen
Photo: Sebastian Wiedling

Address:
Permoserstr. 15
04318 Leipzig
Germany

Building: 6.1
Room: 804
Phone: +49 341 6025 1354

Renee Owen

Research Interests

My research aims to reveal the effects of environmental chemicals on neurodevelopment in the zebrafish model organism. In one project, I seek to characterize the larval zebrafish as a model for Parkinsonian-like neurodegeneration and motor deficits as defined in Adverse Outcome Pathway 3 (AOP3). I use high-content imaging and an automated behavior assay to link chemically-induced neuronal loss with behavioral abnormalities. In my second project, I examine the behavioral effects of a human blood-relevant mixture of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of synthetic compounds known as the “forever chemicals”, and the mechanisms underlying their disruption of neurodevelopment.

Curriculum Vitae

Since 07/2024

PhD student at Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany

09/2023 - 07/2024

U.S. Fulbright Research Scholar, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany

09/2019 - 05/2023

B.Sc. in Biology

B.A. in German and Scandinavian Studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA

Honors Thesis: Early embryonic exposure to short-chain PFAS compound PFHxS disrupts exocrine pancreas morphogenesis and cell proliferation in zebrafish.

Awards/Grants/other Activities

09/2023 - 07/2024

U.S. Fulbright Research Fellowship

05/2023

Excellence in Biology Research Award, University of Massachusetts Amherst

03/2023

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Research Grant

10/2021 - 05/2023

Richco Zebrafish Undergraduate Research Award, University of Massachusetts Amherst