UW-La Crosse senior Anika Oplanic never expected that working in a campus toxicology lab would lead to so many opportunities — especially in the area of PFAS research.
The molecular genetics and cellular biology major joined Professor Tisha King-Heiden’s lab her sophomore year. Oplanic was interested in King-Heiden’s research, which uses fish as a model for studying how contaminants affect reproduction and the immune system. She thought the research would give her applicable training in cell biology and genetics.
“The lab is the perfect place to get hands-on experience,” she says.
She began by helping older students with their research experiments and caring for the fish in the lab. Now, she’s a leader in the lab and on campus.
Testing PFAS Effects on Immune Function
Her research is looking at the effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These humanmade chemicals, found in everyday products, have contaminated groundwater and drinking water. They have been linked to cancer, liver damage, birth defects and more. Findings from a 2020 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggest that 98 percent of the U.S. population has PFAS in their blood.
With a pilot grant from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin, Oplanic helped to develop an assay to test whether PFAS exposure reduces immune system function in fish.
The pilot grant led to a $260,000 Wisconsin Sea Grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to use the assay to further study how PFAS affect the health and survival of fish embryos. Their findings could provide insight into the risk of human embryos exposed to PFAS. For example, exposure before birth could lead babies to have immune deficiencies or reduced response to vaccinations.
In addition to the technical skills she’s gained, Oplanic has worked with experts at UW-Madison and the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene. She was able to see how her research skills can apply to many careers.
“Working in this lab showed me that I love cell biology and genetics and that I can use those skills in a variety of ways,” Oplanic says. “I can apply knowledge from my classes and from learning to create assays to many fields.”
Building Campus and Community Connections
The biggest benefit to working in the lab? It encouraged her to expand connections to other students and faculty as well as the broader community. She’s actively involved on campus and helped revive the student organization Asian, Latin, African, and Native American (ALANA) Women. She’s a resident assistant and the first student leadership development intern in the Office of Multicultural Student Services.
Last year, Oplanic received the Outstanding Woman of Color in Education Award for her leadership.
“Anika is very well spoken, and very dedicated to research and educating the public about science,” King-Heiden says.
Oplanic, who will graduate in May, is particularly passionate about communicating research findings to the community. She hadn’t heard of PFAS until moving to La Crosse and learning how PFAS have affected residents of nearby French Island. PFAS have contaminated their private wells, making it unsafe to drink the tap water and causing concerns about health risks.
“I can talk to professors all day about PFAS research, but it doesn’t mean anything if the community isn’t aware” she says. “PFAS is a community health issue, and it’s important for scientists to connect with the community.”
Having honed her presentation skills at symposiums and community events, Oplanic is well-versed in explaining her research. Now, she is ready to use those skills as she launches her career.
Read about more PFAS research.
Written by Heidi Jeter, Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin. Photos by Jen Towner, UWL University Marketing & Communications.