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Postdoctoral Web Site
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SOT Postdoctoral Assembly Officers
2010–2011 Officers
- Sarah Campion, Chair
- Michele La Merrill, Vice-Chair
- Vijay Kale, Secretary
- Marie Fortin, Treasurer
- Anne Loccisano, Councilor
- Michael Waalkes, Council Liaison
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Sarah Campion: Chair
I am currently a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Kim Boekelheide at Brown University. My research in the area of reproductive toxicology focuses on toxicant mixtures and their testicular effects. Using cell-type specific testicular toxicants, I investigate the dependencies and interactions among the cells responsible for successful spermatogenesis. I received my Ph.D. in Pharmacology/Toxicology from the University of Connecticut in 2008. My dissertation research in José Manautou’s laboratory focused on the role of Kupffer cells in regulating hepatic transporters during drug-induced liver injury. I became active within SOT during graduate school, serving as the Northeast Regional Chapter’s student representative and receiving a Northeast SOT travel award and a Mechanisms Specialty Section Carl C. Smith award. As a postdoctoral fellow I have served as a member of the Postdoc Advisory Panel at Brown University and as the postdoctoral representative for the Women in Toxicology special interest group within SOT. |
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Michele La Merrill: Vice-Chair
Michele La Merrill earned her Ph.D. in Toxicology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for her work “Influence of diet and maternal dioxin on endocrine disruption: puberty, metabolic syndrome, and breast cancer.” Dr. La Merrill is a postdoctoral fellow in Environmental Pediatrics in the Department of Preventive Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where she is earning her M.P.H. She is writing several epidemiology manuscripts on susceptibility to environmental exposures in maternal health, and conducting experimental research on the neuroendocrine toxicity of polyhalogenated hydrocarbons. Her commitment to translational toxicology is further evidenced by the Historical Highlights session she is co-chairing at the upcoming Annual Meeting, “Translational Toxicology to Public Health Protection: Lessons Learned from Superfund. This session is sponsored by the Occupational Public Health Specialty Section (OPHSS) and endorsed by the Postdoctoral Assembly (PDA) and the Research Funding Committee. Dr. La Merrill’s dedication to leadership and service in the translation of Toxicology is evident by years of volunteer work for the SOT, where she has been a member since 2004. She volunteered with the Committee on K-12 Education at the San Diego Museum during the 2006 SOT Meeting, and in co-developing and co-instructing the middle-school teacher workshop “Connecting the Environment and Health: Asthma, Lead and Environmental Health Risk” at the 2007 SOT Meeting. She has volunteered for the SOT Continuing Education Program at three SOT Annual Meetings. Dr. La Merrill serves as the Postdoctoral Representative Elect in the OPHSS; this service will be completed at the 2010 SOT Meeting. As part of that service, she has attended several PDA meetings and written articles for the OPHSS and PDA newsletters. Additionally, she served as the Curriculum in Toxicology Executive Committee Student Representative Elect at UNC and the Society of Life Science Professionals UNC Student Chapter Vice President Elect. Dr. La Merrill is currently a Society of Endocrinology invited Trainee- and Career- Development Core Committee Member, and would like to share their trainee- and career- development strategies with SOT through the Vice Chair position of the PDA. She also looks forward to your contributed ideas in developing meaningful career development programming at SOT through Web seminars, Annual Meeting sessions, and the PDA luncheon. As the PDA liason for the postdoctoral representatives on SOT Committees and Specialty Sections, as well as the SOT Council, Dr. La Merrill will increase the visibility of postdoctoral fellows at SOT. |
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Vijay Kale: Secretary
I am currently working as a postdoctoral scholar at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. My postdoctoral advisor is Dr. Rick Schnellmann, Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. I graduated with a Ph.D. degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Louisiana at Monroe (2007), under the supervision of Dr. Sharon A Meyer. I also hold a Masters degree in Pharmacology from Bharathi Vidyapeeth, India (2002), and a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from University of Pune, India (2000).
My first postdoctoral fellowship was under the mentorship of Dr. Urs A Boelsterli, Professor and endowed Chair in Mechanistic Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut at Storrs (2008-2009). At the University of Connecticut, my work was focused on mechanisms of drug-induced liver injury using cell culture and isolated organelles.
In the Schnellmann laboratory, I am working on two research projects. The first project involves the roles of calcium independent phospholipase A2 gamma and beta isoforms in cell injury and death. The goal of second project is to elucidate mitochondrial heterogeneity in renal proximal tubular cells under control conditions and following mitochondrial injury.
I am an active member of SOT, Regional Chapters (SCC-SOT, 2003-2007; NESOT, 2008-2009, SESOT 2010), In-Vitro and Alternative Methods (IVAM) Specialty Section and Mechanisms Specialty Section. I have published several papers in local and international journals and presented research findings in various meetings. I look forward to serve you as a Secretary in the Postdoctoral Assembly, and contribute my experience within the overall framework of PDA for advancement of science and postdoctoral fellows in the Society. |
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Marie Fortin: Treasurer
Marie C. Fortin received her B.Sc in Biochemistry from Laval University and her M.Sc in Neurosciences and Ph.D. in Public Health/Environmental Toxicology from the Universite de Montreal in Canada. She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Environmental and Occupational Health Science Institute (EOHSI, a joint Institute of UMDNJ and Rutgers University) where she is investigating neurological and immunological aspects of lead (Pb) toxicity under the mentorship of Drs. N. Fiedler and J. R. Richardson.
As Treasurer, she would oversee the proper management of the funds and be responsible for next year’s elections. In addition to fulfilling the Treasurer's responsibilities; she looks forward to working with the other Board members and the PDA on issues such as networking and career development for postdoctoral scholars. She also wishes to capitalize on the work that has already been done (webinars, Post-Y) and to keep on improving the communication with the membership.
She has been a member of the Society of Toxicology since 2006 and is a member of the SOT Worldwide Web Task Force. She’s also a member of the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA). Through college and graduate school, she has been involved in several student associations where she served as VP-Communications (2 years) and Secretary (1 year), she acted as Student Rep on the Ph.D. Assembly and on the School of Public Health Student Council (1 year) and was Social Chair (1 year). In addition, she gave her time to other organizations/charities such as the Canadian Red Cross, the Canadian Cancer Society and United Way. She looks forward to this new challenge. |
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Anne Loccisano:
Councilor
I am currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Hamner Institutes, RTP, NC. Working under the direction of Drs. Harvey Clewell and Melvin Andersen, my research involves evaluating and understanding the pharmacokinetics and tissue disposition of perfluorinated compounds through the development of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models. My current focus is on the gestation and lactation life stages. Extensive physiological, anatomical, and biochemical changes occur in the mother, fetus, and neonate during these periods. The PBPK models help not only understanding how these changes affect the pharmacokinetics and tissue disposition of perfluorinated compounds but will also aid in human health risk assessment for these chemicals.
My formal training is in chemistry; I received my B.S. in chemistry from Allegheny College, and I received my Ph.D. in physical and computational chemistry from Duquesne University. As a grad student, I was involved in the American Chemical Society and also in my graduate department’s Women in Science organization. I started my postdoc position at Hamner in the fall of 2008, and although the toxicology arena is new to me, I am eager and enthusiastic to learn in this field.
I have been a member of SOT since fall of 2008, I attended and presented at the national meeting last spring, and I have been involved with the PDA since last spring. I am also a member of the North Carolina regional section of SOT. I currently serve as the PDA representative for the Risk Assessment Specialty Section and I am also the PDA representative for the Continuing Education committee. This year, I am leading the committee to obtain door prize donations for the Postdoctoral Luncheon at the national SOT meeting. During the short time that I have been involved with SOT and the PDA, I have truly enjoyed and learned from my experience. I look forward to continuing an active leadership role in the PDA.
I feel that postdoc involvement in Specialty Sections, Special Interest Groups, Regional Chapters, and other SOT activities will facilitate participation in SOT throughout their career. Also, postdocs face issues that are unique to this stage of their career. As Councilor, I hope to increase postdoc participation and activity in Specialty Sections and other groups, aid in addressing some of the issues that postdocs are confronted with in this stage of their career, and enhance communication between postdoc membership and the Board. |
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2009–2010 Officers
- Betina Lew, Chair
- Sarah Campion, Vice-Chair
- Alison Hege Harrill, Secretary
- Patrick Shaw, Treasurer
- Lauren Aleksunes, Councilor
- Patricia Ganey, Council Liaison
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Betina Lew: Chair
I am currently a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, in the Dept. of Environmental Medicine. My postdoctoral advisor is Dr. Paige Lawrence, and I am studying the physiological, morphological, and molecular mechanisms by which pollutants alter mammary gland development during pregnancy. My current focus is on the pollutant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, which is also known as TCDD or dioxin. Mammary gland development is a complex and tightly orchestrated process involving numerous hormones, growth factors, extra cellular matrix (ECM) components, and other molecules produced locally in the mammary gland as well as in other glands and tissues. Dioxins bind and activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and AhR activation impairs mammary development during pregnancy, thereby blocking normal gland function during lactation.
My formal training has been quite diverse, beginning with my Bachelor’s degree at Sao Paulo State University in Brazil. I studied for my Master’s degree in Israel, at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, while my Doctoral degree was a joint project at both Sao Paulo State University and Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI. I’ve been a member of The Society of Toxicology for 2 years, and during this short period of time I’ve followed the work of the PDA with enthusiasm and admiration. I am eager to help continue the exceptional work that has been done by the previous PDA board at SOT.
Throughout my life, I have been extremely fortunate to experience many different cultures and academic environments. I would like to share some of this experience while serving as an officer of the PDA. In addition, I think it will be important to find new ways to stimulate postdoctoral members to participate actively in the PDA and in specialty sections at SOT. As co-chair, I am delighted with the opportunity to represent and promote the careers of all postdoctoral members of the PDA, and I look forward to a productive year ahead. |
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Sarah Campion: Vice-Chair
I am currently a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Kim Boekelheide at Brown University. My research in the area of reproductive toxicology focuses on toxicant mixtures and their testicular effects. Using cell-type specific testicular toxicants, I investigate the dependencies and interactions among the cells responsible for successful spermatogenesis. I received my Ph.D. in Pharmacology/Toxicology from the University of Connecticut in 2008. My dissertation research in José Manautou’s laboratory focused on the role of Kupffer cells in regulating hepatic transporters during drug-induced liver injury. I became active within SOT during graduate school, serving as the Northeast Regional Chapter’s student representative and receiving a Northeast SOT travel award and a Mechanisms Specialty Section Carl C. Smith award. As a postdoctoral fellow I have served as a member of the Postdoc Advisory Panel at Brown University and as the postdoctoral representative for the Women in Toxicology special interest group within SOT. |
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Alison Hege Harrill: Secretary
I am currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences in RTP, North Carolina. My advisor is Dr. Paul Watkins, Director for the Center for Drug Safety Sciences here at Hamner. My current research projects are somewhat diverse, but are aimed at the understanding of individual differences that underlie susceptibility to drug-induced liver injury (DILI). The research comprises two phases: (1) uncovering genetic polymorphisms that modulate drug-induced adverse events and (2) developing an in silico model that may someday assist in the understanding of the mechanistic basis behind idiosyncratic DILI events. My Ph.D. training in Toxicology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was recently completed in December 2008, under the direction of Drs. Ivan Rusyn and David Threadgill.
I have been a member of SOT since beginning graduate school and have gained valuable experience within the Society by serving first as a student representative for the Toxicologic and Exploratory Pathology Specialty Section. From 2007–2008, I held the dual offices of Chairperson of the Specialty Section Graduate Committee and the Secretary-Treasurer of the Student Advisory Council. Holding these offices has given me the wonderful opportunity to interact with SOT staff, students, and scientists and a good, working knowledge of the synergy that exists within various SOT groups. By serving you in the Postdoctoral Assembly, I hope to bring the experience and creative energy necessary to advance the specific interests of postdoctoral fellows within SOT. I am very much looking forward to working with you all in the future!
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Patrick Shaw: Treasurer
I received my Ph.D. from Michigan State University from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology in August 2008. My graduate research was done in the laboratory of Dr. Robert Roth and focused on the interaction between inflammatory stress and idiosyncratic hepatotoxicants. From there I proceeded to a postdoctoral position in the Dept. of Immunology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in the laboratory of Dr. Thirumala-Devi Kanneganti. My current work focuses on the mechanisms and consequences of caspase 1 activation in various models of infectious diseases and inflammatory disorders. I started this position in Feb. 2009 and am still learning this new field. Throughout my graduate career I have been a member of SOT, the Michigan Regional Chapter and the Drug Discovery Specialty Section. I served as the Michigan SOT Regional Chapter student representative for 2 years and as the chairperson for the Student Advisory Council for one year. I look forward to continuing an active leadership role in SOT.
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Lauren Aleksunes:
Councilor
I am currently a postdoctoral fellow in the toxicology laboratory of Dr. Curtis Klaassen at the University of Kansas Medical Center. For the past year, I have studied the multidrug resistance-associated protein (Mrp) class of xenobiotic transporters in kidney and placenta. Prior to joining KUMC, I completed both the Pharm.D. (2002) and Ph.D. (2006) programs at the University of Connecticut. My dissertation research project.in the laboratory of Dr. Jose Manautou focused on the regulation of xenobiotic efflux transporters during chemical-induced hepatotoxicity. While at the University of Connecticut, I was a recipient of a Howard Hughes Predoctoral Fellowship.
I have been an active student and postdoc member of SOT. At the last 4 national SOT meetings, I have presented research posters and presentations and have received student travel awards from the Women in Toxicology SIG and the Northeast Chapter of SOT. I have spent that past year representing postdoc interests at KUMC (as a member of the Postdoctoral Advisory Committee) and within SOT (as the postdoctoral councilor for the Mechanisms Specialty Section). In both of these capacities, I have brought attention to issues related to the postdoc experience through organization of seminars related to career opportunities for postdocs, contribution to the Fall 2008 postdoc newsletter, and development of policies regarding postdoc positions at KUMC. As a councilor of the SOT PDA, I will draw upon these experiences to enhance communication between the PDA board and membership.
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Patricia Ganey:
Council Liaison
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