Education

University of Massachusetts, Amherst B.S. 1995 Environmental Science

University of Massachusetts, Amherst M.S. 2000 Entomology

University of Massachusetts, Amherst University Distinguished Teaching Award 2000

University of Massachusetts, Amherst Ph.D. 2004 Molecular and Cellular Biology

Interests

My research focus is environmental health protection and the biological mechanisms by which pyrethroid insecticides affect human health. Pyrethroids are the predominant class of insecticides used to control several medically important insects that are vectors for human diseases (e.g. West Nile virus, malaria, dengue fever, etc). These potent insecticides have a wide spectrum of use and are effective in controlling a variety of insect pests both on agricultural commodities and in the prevention of insect-mediated human and animal disease transmission. They are particularly important insect control agents in urban environments since they are relatively environmentally labile. The increased spread of the aforementioned diseases will likely result in increased efforts to control medically important insects and, as a consequence, increased exposure situations for individuals in urban environments. Thus, it is critical that these insecticides by evaluated for potential adverse effects on human populations. My current research endeavors examines the manner in which pyrethroids alter the kinetics of voltage-gated ion channels in the nervous and reproductive systems. I usually have approximately three to five students actively involved in independent research projects focused around my area of interest. In these independent study projects, students engage in hypothesis driven experiments which supplement the biology curriculum by providing students an opportunity to expand their studies into areas not specifically addressed by the formal course offerings. Research conducted in this fashion is intended to provide students with an opportunity to experience the scientific discovery process. Students conducting independent research projects in my lab have presented their findings at local and national conferences. Some recent presentations are below.

Memberships

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

American Chemical Society (ACS), Agrochemical Division.

Society for Neuroscience (SfN)

Society of Toxicology (SOT)

Publications/Papers

Catlin, N. and S.B. Symington. Deltamethrin Inhibits the Human T-type Voltage-Sensitive Calcium Channel (Cav3.2). Impulse March, 2009.

Symington, S.B., R.K. Frisbie, and J.M. Clark. Characterization of eleven commercial pyrethroids on functional attributes of rat brain synaptosomes. Pestic Biochem Physiol 92: 61-69, 2008.

Yoon, K.S., S.B. Symington, S.H. Lee, D.M. Soderlund, and J.M. Clark. Three mutations identified in the voltage-sensitive sodium channel ?-subunit gene of permethrin-resistant human head lice abolish permethrin sensitivity of house fly Vssc1 expressed in Xenopus oocyte. Insect Biochem & Mol. Bio. 38: 296-306, 2008.

Symington, S.B., R.K. Frisbie, H.J. Kim, and J.M. Clark. Mutation of threonine 422 to glutamatic acid mimics the phosphorylation state and alters the action of deltamethrin on Cav2.2. Pestic Biochem Physiol 88: 312-320, 2007.

Clark, J.M. and S.B. Symington. Pyrethroid action at calcium channels: neurotoxicological implications. Invert Neurosci 7: 3-16, 2007.

Symington, S.B., R.K. Frisbie, K.D. Lu and J.M. Clark. Action of cismethrin and deltamethrin on functional attributes of isolated presynaptic nerve terminals from rat brain. Pestic Biochem Physiol 87: 172-181, 2007.

Symington, S.B., and J.M. Clark. Action of deltamethrin on voltage-sensitive calcium channels in rat brain. Pestic Biochem Physiol 82: 1-15, 2005.

Kim, H.J., Symington, S.B., Lee, S.H., and J.M. Clark. Serial invasive signal amplification reaction for the genotyping of permethirn-resistant (kdr-type) Texas head lice, Pediculus capitis. Pestic Biochem Physiol 80: 173-182, 2004.

de Ondarza, J., Symington, S.B., Van Houten, J., and J.M. Clark. G-Protein modulators alter the swimming behavior and calcium influx of Paramecium tetraurelia. J Eukaryot Microbiol 50(5), 349-355, 2003.

Symington, S.B., Zhang, A., Karston, W., Van Houten, J., and J.M. Clark. Characterization of pyrethroid action on ciliary calcium channels in Paramecium tetraurelia. Pestic Biochem Physiol 65: 181-93, 1999.

Desena, M.L., Clark, J.M., Edman, J.D., Symington, S.B., Scott, T.W., Clark, G.G., and T.M. Peters. Potential aging of female Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) by gas chromatographic analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons, including field evaluation. J Med Ent 36(6): 811-23, 1999.

Research and Scholarly Achievements

"Characterization of pyrethroids on human voltage-sensitive calcium channels." INBRE/NCRR/NIH Grant No. P20RR016457: May 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010

Awards

American Chemical Society, Agrochemicals Division, Young Scientist Research Recognition Award Finalist, 229th ACS National Meeting, San Diego, Calif., March 13-17, 2005.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst, University Distinguished Teaching Award, 2000

Curriculum Vitae

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