A study led by biomedical scientists at the University of California, Riverside, has shown for the first time that a father’s exposure to microplastics (MPs) can trigger metabolic dysfunctions in his offspring. The research, conducted using mouse models, highlights a previously unknown pathway through which environmental pollutants impact the health of future generations.

At the 2025 National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) conference in June, a man from the audience congratulated UC Riverside School of Medicine student Joslyn Santana and her mother after Santana received an award. “He said, ‘When I see your daughter go up there, I can see my daughter,’” Santana recalled. “It’s a reminder that representation is so important, because you never know what younger generations are watching and are able to see themselves in a different way because of you.”

UC Riverside’s Dr. Lisa Fortuna is an editor of the journal’s special issue

As a medical student, Mahsa Khayat-Khoei, MD, found neurology complex and interesting, but also somewhat intimidating. “You get to study neurons and different diseases that affect different areas of the brain, but there was no treatment, which was disappointing,” recalled Khayat-Khoei, now a fellowship-trained neuroimmunologist at UCR Health.

Discovery points to new “upstream” drug targets for preventing atherosclerosis

The UCR School of Medicine's Mentorship Program wrapped up its 2025 cohort with an end of year luncheon on Dec. 3, 2025. The mentorship program was created in 2024 and is held during the calendar year, serving as a cornerstone for staff development and professional growth, by providing employees with an opportunity to learn from SOM leadership and discover new possibilities for their careers.

As a community-based medical school, the UC Riverside School of Medicine focuses not just on training future physicians but on collaborating with community members to improve health in the area. This effort extends to practicing community-engaged research, an approach in which investigators and community members work together to identify relevant research topics and conduct projects in their community.

<em>This article was originally published on the Bear Valley Community Healthcare District website.</em> In a first-of-its kind program at Bear Valley Community Healthcare District (BVCHD), residents from the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine will have the opportunity to fulfill their emergency medicine residency rotation requirement at BVCHD.