Presentations

Conference presentations, invited talks and posters. Student mentees are highlighted in red.

2026

Zong Y, Ramachandran S, Lopez CZ, Fu S, Broyer R, Patall E, Cutchin S. The effect of virtual reality on chemistry laboratory anxiety and self-efficacy. American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, April 2026.
Bridging anticipatory anxiety: evidence for virtual reality as equitable STEM lab access. AAC&U Transforming STEM Higher Education Conference, online, March 2026.

Virtual reality may reduce students’ anxiety in general chemistry laboratory courses. ASBMB Teaching Undergraduate Education in the Molecular Life Sciences (TUEMLS), St. Paul, MN, July 2025.

Investigating the role of arginine methylation in PGC-1α, a temperature-dependent metabolic regulator. DiscoverBMB 2023, Seattle, WA, March 2023. Travel award.
Investigating the role of arginine methylation in PGC-1α, a metabolic regulator. Chemistry & Biochemistry Seminar, Cal State Long Beach, February 2023. Invited speaker.

Investigating protein methylation and phosphorylation: significance in cellular regulation. Career Talks, Biomedical Engineering, Cal State LA, March 2022. Invited speaker.

Investigating the interaction between arginine methylation and serine phosphorylation in histone H3: two opposing modifications? Epigenomics and Cancer, Keck School of Medicine of USC, October 2019. Invited speaker.
Protein arginine methyltransferases: a springboard for crosstalk. MORE Programs Research Retreat, Cal State LA, Lake Arrowhead, CA, September 2019. Poster.

Investigating the interaction between arginine 8 methylation and serine 10 phosphorylation in histone H3. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Phoenix, AZ, November 2017. Invited speaker.

Protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) specifically targets RXR sites in arginine-rich regions: a springboard for crosstalk. American Society for Cell Biology National Meeting, San Diego, CA, December 2015.

Using whispering gallery mode sensors to detect epigenetic changes in histone H4. MORE Programs Research Retreat, Cal State LA, Lake Arrowhead, CA, September 2013. Oral presentation.

Zurita-Lopez C, Sandberg T, Kelly R, Clarke SG. Formation of ω-N^G-monomethylarginine as the sole product of human PRMT7: a true type III methyltransferase? Cellular and Molecular Biology Retreat, UCLA, Lake Arrowhead, CA, October 2010. Oral presentation.
Zurita-Lopez C, Sandberg T, Kelly R, Clarke SG. Human protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7) is not a type II methyltransferase. FASEB Biological Methylation: From DNA to Histones, Carefree, AZ, June 2010. Poster.
Zurita-Lopez C, Sandberg T, Kelly R, Clarke SG. Formation of ω-N^G-monomethylarginine as the sole product of human PRMT7: a true type III methyltransferase? ASBMB Experimental Biology, Anaheim, CA, April 2010. Oral and poster presentation; Best Thematic Poster Award.

Zurita-Lopez C, Sandberg T, Clarke SG. Formation of ω-N^G-monomethylarginine as the sole product validates PRMT7 as the first type III methyltransferase. Cellular and Molecular Biology Retreat, UCLA, Lake Arrowhead, CA, October 2009. Poster; Best Poster Award.

Zurita-Lopez C, Khare S, Yang M, Mamula M, Clarke SG. The role of protein arginine methyltransferases in immunological responses. FASEB Biological Methylation: From DNA to Histones, Carefree, AZ, June 2007. Poster.

Zurita C, Gomez FA, Borra M, Polder N, Meyer C. Using affinity capillary electrophoresis to estimate binding constants between ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and ATP. HPLC 2003, Nice, France, June 2003. Poster.
Zurita C, Baumbach R, Meyer C, Gomez FA. Using affinity capillary electrophoresis in the determination of binding constants for ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase. 15th Annual CSU Biotechnology Symposium, Pomona, CA, January 2003. Poster.

Zurita C, Borra M, Polder N, Meyer C, Gomez FA. Estimating binding constants between ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and ATP using capillary electrophoresis. Southern California Conference on Undergraduate Research (SCCUR), Pasadena, CA, November 2002. Poster.
Kaddis J, Zurita C, Borra M, Polder N, Meyer C, Gomez FA. Using affinity capillary electrophoresis to estimate binding constants between ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and ligands. SACNAS National Conference, Anaheim, CA, September 2002. Poster.
Zurita C, Lammertink RG, Kornfield J, Gomez FA. The release of vancomycin from synthesized fluoroalkyl-modified poly(ethylene glycol). SURF-MURF Program, Center for the Science and Engineering of Materials, August 2002. Oral and poster presentation.
Zhang Y, Kodama C, Zurita C, Gomez FA. On-column ligand synthesis coupled to partial-filling affinity capillary electrophoresis. PITTCON 2002, New Orleans, LA, March 2002. Poster.

Villareal V, Zurita C, Zhang Y, Gomez FA. Separation of DNA fragments by capillary electrophoresis in uncoated silica columns using hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose as the sieving matrix. Southern California ACS Undergraduate Research Conference, Santa Barbara, CA, April 2001. Poster.
Zhang Y, Kodama C, Zurita C, Gomez FA. On-column ligand synthesis coupled to partial-filling affinity capillary electrophoresis. 221st American Chemical Society National Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 2001. Poster.