Sumira Phatak received her baccalaureate in biology from Northeastern Illinois University and doctorate in toxicology from Utah State University. The focal point of her dissertation was to understand the transgenerational impact of the Western dietary pattern on colorectal cancer, the epigenome, and microbiome. Other work included investigating dietary interventions with functional foods or micronutrients and evaluating the synbiotic fermentation potential of prebiotic whole food powders with lactic-acid producing probiotics. She then screened proposed environmental obesogens commonly used in food packaging during a postdoctorate at UC Irvine. Subsequently, she accepted a regulatory role in nutraceuticals as a nutritional toxicologist. Other prior experience includes exotic and companion animal nutrition, and wildlife biology- which previously brought her to the Four Corners area studying bubonic plague in Gunnison’s prairie dog. Most recently, Sumira was thrilled to return to the Land of Enchantment as a postdoctoral scholar in the Matthew Campen Laboratory at UNM. Here, she is united with the group’s mission to investigate the impact of common environmental exposures (wildfire smoke, metals, & microplastics) on health and aging. Additionally, as an IRACDA ASERT Fellow, she has a teaching appointment in collaboration with minority serving institutions across New Mexico. She is an active member of several professional groups, where she pursues interests in science communication while promoting inclusive excellence. Dr. Phatak is a Pinnacle Honor Society inductee (2020), USDA AFRI NIFA Pre-doctoral Research Fellow (2018-2020), American College of Toxicology North American Graduate Fellow (2017-2018), USU President Noelle and John Cockett Graduate Fellow (2017), and USU ADVS Doctoral Student Researcher of the Year (2017). She was invited to participate in the “Innovating Global Fruit and Vegetable Food Systems to Help Bring Sustainable Nutrition Security” Workshop hosted by the Aspen Global Change Institute (August 2018). Sumira has held several leadership positions within the Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society, American Society for Nutrition, American College of Toxicology, and at her home institution. Within SOT, she has previously served on the Education and Career Development Committee, Food Safety Specialty Section, Postdoctoral Association, Southern California Regional Chapter, Graduate Student Leadership Committee, Professional Development Subcommittee, and Mountain West Regional Chapter. Sumira’s involvement with SOT includes serving as a mentor session host, networking mentor, poster group leader,#youtox photo helper, peer mentor, near-peer mentor, plenary escort, poster tour guide for trainees, and mentor match mentor. She has contributed to SOT by generating blogs, webinars, and symposia proposals. Growing up as an athlete, living healthfully has been second nature and she deeply enjoys sharing this passion with others. Having an appetite for adventure, she also an avid outdoor enthusiast, experimental foodie, and aspiring artisan.