Spring Issue 2006

Eye on CDI

Over the past decades the annual SOT Undergraduate Education Program, organized by the Committee on Diversity Initiatives, has had a meaningful impact on the careers of many members of our Society. Dr. Tenea Nelson is a great example of an individual who took advantage of this Program and continues to contribute to its success.

Name: Dr. Tenea M. Nelson
CDI Undergraduate Education Program for Minority Students Honoree: 1998

Education/Experience:
BS in Chemistry, Mary Baldwin College, Program for the Exceptionally Gifted
MS in Toxicology, University of Rochester
Ph.D. in Toxicology, University of Rochester
Associate Scientist, Genentech, Inc.
Research Scientist, Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Married to Zonda Nelson, Jr. and step-mom to Davyen, age 12.

During her sophomore year of college, at age 15, Tenea Watson decided upon Chemistry major. Through the recommendation of her advisor, Dr. Elizabeth Hairfield, Tenea applied to several summer internships and was accepted to work in a molecular biology laboratory under the tutelage of Janet DiPasquale at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). After two summers at the USDA determining the genetic similarities between viral isolates from cucumber plants, Tenea recognized graduate school as the next step to achieve her educational and professional goals. Tenea decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Toxicology after Dr. Hairfield gave her the SOT book The Resource Guide to Careers in Toxicology (now on-line). She also had candid conversations with her mother, Aremita Watson, who described her own experiences as an African American female in the sciences.

Tenea then applied to and was invited to attend the 1998 SOT-SCMI Undergraduate Education Program for Minority Students in Seattle, Washington, which confirmed her desire to pursue a Ph.D. in toxicology. As a direct result of this program, Tenea participated in yet another summer internship in the genetic toxicology lab of Warren Ku at Pfizer, studying the induction of cytochrome P₄₅₀ isoforms by candidate pharmaceuticals. A few weeks later Tenea enrolled in the Toxicology Training Program at the University of Rochester. During her time in graduate school, she studied the immunomodulatory effects of Clara Cell Secretory Protein under Drs. Barry Stripp and Jacob Finkelstein. She was able to network at the SOT Annual Meetings and meet her future manager, who offered her an associate scientist position in the Safety Assessment Department at Genentech. Tenea evaluated the safety of candidate pharmaceuticals to combat cancer and autoimmune disease while employed there. Continuing on the path of drug development, Tenea is currently a toxicologist at Gilead Sciences, in Foster City, CA, where she evaluates the safety of pharmaceuticals for the treatment and management of HIV/AIDS.

During school, Tenea was regularly involved in the student recruitment efforts and in affinity groups for underrepresented minorities. At Gententech she was a co-chair of African Americans in Biotechnology. She continues to give back to the community through science education and health awareness. Dr. Nelson encourages underrepresented minorities in the sciences to find a mentor to help them navigate the nuances of higher education and careers.