Chemical Entanglements Undergraduate Student Group
The Chemical Entanglements Undergraduate Student Group works with CSW faculty, staff, and graduate students to help raise awareness of how the gendered health outcomes of chemical exposure impact people on our campus.
Major Projects
Survey: Fragranced Products on the UCLA Campus
Oral Histories of Environmental Illness
Benefits
UCLA undergraduate students involved in the group have the opportunity to conduct original research, participate in awareness campaigns, help shape policy recommendations, and receive mentorship from CSW faculty and staff.
Eligible students may receive Independent Study Research Credit (e.g., 99 or 199) for participating. This is a great activity to put on your resume/CV!
We are looking for UCLA undergraduate students interested in research on gender, health, chemical exposure with skills in writing, filming or storyboarding, and basic research. If you do not have these skills and are interested in building these skills, this group is a useful way to enhance your skills and network with fellow students.
CSW is not currently accepting applications for new undergraduate researchers. Please check back in mid-September 2020 to learn of any available opportunities for Fall 2020. Join our mailing list to be the first to receive word of student research opportunities and other CSW updates.
Spring 2020 Chemical Entanglements Undergraduate Group Students
Miranda Le
Human Biology and Society
Lillian Nguyen
Anthropology and Digital Humanities
Hong Phan
Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
Cheyenne Walker
Anthropology
Works Produced
2019-2020
In Spring 2020, Mirande Le and Cheyenne Walker presented “Environmental Illness and Social Isolation: A Comparative Analysis of Lifestyles Restricted by Illness” as part of UCLA Undergraduate Research Week, May 18-May 22, 2020.
Blog Posts
- On the Toxicity of Beauty by Hong Phan
- Reflections on Chemical Sensitivities and the Coronavirus by Cheyenne Walker
- Healthcare and MCS by Miranda Le
2018-2019
Blog Posts
- Oral History as Tool of Social Justice: Challenging the Status Quo by Christine Tran
- The Burdens of Chemical Toxicity for Children and Women by Megan LeGresley
- Living with a Chemical Illness at UCLA by Grace Stevenson
- Oral History and Social Justice by Shreya Ramineni
2017-2018
Projects:
- Jessica Cushing-Murray, Katherine Osby, and Sophia Sidhu created a series of Chemical History Timelines that document the history of synthetic fragrances, personal care products, and laundry detergents:
- The History of Food Fragrances by Jessica Cushing-Murray
- Cosmetic Products and Essential Oils by Katherine Osby
- History of Synthetic Detergent by Sophia Sidhu
- Hannah Bullock, Sophia Sidhu, and Aria Wang received conducted a research study, “Fragranced Products on UCLA’s Campus,” which surveyed the prevalence of chemical and fragrance sensitivity among UCLA undergraduate students. The ultimate goal is to expand the survey to different populations (i.e., faculty, graduate students, staff) across UCLA and create a safe, healthy, and accessible campus for everyone.
Blog Posts:
- The Essential Truths About Essential Oils by Katherine Osby
- The Danger of Smelling Delicious: Food Fragrances and the Intertwined Effects of Deodorant and Perfume by Jessica Cushing-Murray
- Fragranced Products on the UCLA Campus: A Snapshot of Preliminary Data by Xiaohan Aria Wang
- The Struggle of Divorcing From Fragranced Products by Hannah Bullock
- Fewer Chemicals, More Regulation by Sophia Sidhu
- 1,4 Dioxane, Bioremediation, and Women’s Health by Sophia Sidhu
- Soap, Scent, and Social Constructs by Vivian Anigbogu
- Searching for Answers and Expanding Knowledge Related to Awareness and Effects of Exposures to Fragranced Products Among Undergraduate Students at UCLA by Hannah Bullock
- The Entanglement of “Green” and Fragrance-Free by Katherine Jabba
- Vietnamese Nail Salon Workers and Chronic Chemical Exposure by Sophia Sidhu
2016-2017
In 2016-2017, the group produced an educational video that we premiered at the Chemical Entanglements Symposium on May 4-5, 2017. Watch and share the video on CSW’s YouTube channel!
Blog Posts:
- Precaution, Policy, and Profit: Exploring US Regulations for Chemicals by Vivian Anigbogu
- Does Natural Mean Safe? by Alexis Elliott
- Unregulated Chemicals in Fragrance Ingredients by Nataliya Karashchuk
- On Transparency by Ankita Nair
- Environmental Justice and Farm Workers’ Health by Alexandra Navarro
- On Illusions and Disillusionment by Tiffany Uribe
- Femininity, Hair Relaxers, and the Impact of Beauty Standards on Black Women’s Health by Amanda Wilcox
Video Blogs:
- Women and Workplace Exposure by Alexandra Navarro
- Disillusion about Fragrance by Alexis Elliott, Nataliya Karashchuk, and Tiffany Uribe
- Hair Relaxers and Health by Vivian Anigbogu and Amanda Wilcox
