Danielle Kozlosky, a Ph.D. candidate in the JGPT, has been awarded a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award F31 grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. F31 fellowship awards are designed to develop promising predoctoral students into productive, independent research scientists through mentored research training. Danielle is investigating the impact of the placenta barrier on fetal nutrition and growth restriction. The placenta holds great promise in revealing differences between individuals in their response to chemicals in our environment including the metal cadmium (Cd). Danielle’s research investigates how a protein in the placenta protects against the toxicity of cadmium that leads to poor nutrition and growth in babies. She is conducting her dissertational research under the tutelage of her mentor, Dr. Lauren Aleksunes.