About ATA

Dr. Alharthy is an assistant professor at King Abdulaziz University and principal investigator in the Toxicology and Forensic Sciences Unit at King Fahd Medical Research Center. He earned his doctoral degree from the Toxicology program at St. John’s University (USA) in 2021 and his Master of Science degree in Toxicology from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio (USA) in 2014. Dr. Alharthy is the head of the occupational safety and health department in King Fahd Medical Research Center in King Abdulaziz University. Dr. Alharthy investigates the toxicity of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other toxicants on cells and animal models. He has published more than 20 research papers with different scientists. Dr. Alharthy has been a member of the Society of Toxicology since 2016. He was invited to be a poster session chair of Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances in Society of Toxicology (2019). Dr. Alharthy is the president of the Arab Toxicologists Association (ATA) in the Society of Toxicology (SOT) (2022–2024).

Dr. Maha Almazroua has a BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences, MSc in Toxicology & Forensic Sciences, PhD in Quality Management, and two professional Diplomas in Hospital Administration, and Quality management & International Hospital Accreditation. She is also certified as a health care innovation professional and is currently working as Director of the regional poison control center, MOH. Dr. Almazroua is the founder of Maha Smart Kit and the brain behind the national platform OTARR (Online Toxicology Analysis Request & Results) and the 1st National Toxicology Database in Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health. Besides publishing more than 24 papers, she has also been featured at several prestigious conferences. She was a Member of the Executive Office of the Arab Gulf States’ Council of Ministers of Health until 2016. Dr. Almazroua is currently an Expert member at the Preparatory Committee for the National AntiNarcotics Committee, MOI, and a member of the LED management guidelines group at WHO. In addition to the above, she holds the positions of President of Eastern Province of Pharmacist Club (EPPC) at Saudi Pharmaceutical Society (SPS) at King Saud University, General Secretary and Board Member of Saudi Toxicology Society (STS), member of the Scientific Board of the Arab Society for Forensic Sciences and Forensic Medicine (ASFSFM), and Chairwoman of the annual international KSAPT Conference (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities in Pharmacy and Toxicology).

Dr. Kadry is an adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland, School of Public Health. Dr. Kadry is a former senior science advisor at the Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE) in the Office of Research and Development (ORD) of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).

Dr. Kadry’s experience in toxicology and risk assessment spans over thirty-five years and includes academic research, drug safety and efficacy, food safety and environmental risk assessment. He served for seven years as a senior advisor for Scientific Organizational Development and International Activities at the US EPA’s National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA). For five years he led US EPA’s risk assessment development activities as the Director of the US EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Before joining US EPA in 2006, he was Chief of the Technical Analysis and Evaluation Branch, Risk Assessment Division, Office of Public Health Sciences, Food Safety and Inspection Service, at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Additionally, Dr. Kadry spent 12 years on the faculty of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Dr. Kadry published a number of peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters. He trained large numbers of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and other professionals in the United States and several countries on the principles and applications of toxicological research and risk assessments. Dr. Kadry collaborated with two Egyptian professors and together established an international global graduate course on the application of risk assessment to ensure food safety and security. This course is web based and very popular in both the University of Maryland and Cairo University. Dr. Kadry’s roots are in Egypt where he was born and grew up. He is very interested in Egyptian ancient history, culture, and the effect of ancient Egypt culture on the current Egyptian society. He is very active in community service, offering mediation as a lead mediator in Shared Neutral of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Dr. Wafaa Ayad is a Senior Manager at Church & Dwight, Inc., Princeton, NJ, where she has had global safety and clinical leadership responsibility for a diverse product portfolio at Church & Dwight for the past 12 years including dietary supplements; medical devices; OTC; and personal and beauty care products. Prior to Church & Dwight, she has served as the toxicologist for several programs in both discovery and development stages in various therapeutic areas, including Immunology, Hepatology, and Neuroscience at Merck Pharmaceutical. Dr. Ayad earned a PhD from the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Rutgers University (NJ) and a MD from Aim Shams University in Egypt. Dr. Ayad is a Board Certified (DABT) and European Registered (ERT) Toxicologist and she is the author/co-author of 14 publications including peer-reviewed articles in the areas of molecular biology and nutrition.

Dr. Harrouk is a master reviewer in the Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Office of Infectious Diseases, Office of New Drugs, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Harrouk started her US FDA career in 2000 as a postdoctoral fellow in the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. In 2001, she started her regulatory career in CDER, OND where she has served as a nonclinical reviewer in several review divisions in the following order: The Division of Metabolic and Endocrine Products, the Division of Reproductive and Urologic Products, the “Over The Counter” Division, the Compounding and Rare Diseases Groups, and currently the Antivirals Division. As a result, Dr. Harrouk has accumulated an extensive and unique body of review expertise in diverse products across the pharmaceutical spectrum within the US FDA.

Outside of her review work, Dr. Harrouk has taken on leadership roles for several committees within the US FDA as well as outside entities. She is a past fellow of the leadership program “Excellence in Government” and is an active member in the US FDA mentoring program. Dr. Harrouk is a long-time active member of the Society of Birth Defects Research and Prevention (previously known as the Teratology Society), the Society of Toxicology and two of its chapters (the Arab Toxicology Association and the Mid-Atlantic SOT Regional Chapter), as well as the American College of Toxicology. She also holds an adjunct faculty position at the George Washington University since 2006 where she teaches pharmacogenomics, drug development and taught a course on curriculum development at the Taif University in 2019.

Dr. Harrouk holds an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from the University of North Texas, a Masters’ degree in Pathology and a Doctorate degree in Pharmacology and Therapeutics, both from McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Dr. Harrouk is fluent in Arabic, English, and French. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, walking, hiking, reading, and enjoying culinary experiences with family and friends.

Dr. Wasel is a professional services toxicologist for Apple, Inc, where she performs toxicological evaluations of chemical substances to support biocompatibility assessments. She received a doctorate in Toxicology from the School of Health Sciences at Purdue University in 2022. For her PhD. dissertation, she investigated how early-life exposure to legacy and emerging perfluoroalkyl substances affect the development of an organism using the zebrafish model. Earlier in 2018, she earned an MS in Toxicology from Purdue University, where she assessed the effects of developmental exposure to tungsten mixtures and validated the use of mathematical models to predict mixtures’ toxicity. She is author/co-author of six peer-reviewed articles and one book chapter. She has been a member of the SOT since 2016 and was a founding member of the Arab Toxicologists Association, ATA. She was awarded the Best Graduate Student Abstract award from the Neurotoxicology Specialty Section and ATA of SOT in 2022. Dr. Wasel served as a mentor for five undergraduate students and visiting scholars during her time at Purdue. She was selected to participate in the Global Ambassador Program at Purdue University, representing her home country, Egypt.

Dr. Saeed Alqahtani, a postdoc researcher at Purdue University specializing in stem cell immunoregulation, holds an MSc in Toxicology from Colorado State University (2018) and a PhD in Toxicology from Purdue University (2022). Dr. Alqahtani has received numerous awards, particularly from the Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Specialty Section and the Arab Toxicologists Association Special Interest Group, earning distinctions such as the Outstanding Graduate Student, Best Graduate Student Publication, and a Travel Award. Currently, he also holds positions as a Research Assistant Professor at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University. Dr. Alqahtani’s significant contributions to the scientific community are evident in his extensive nanotoxicology research, which has been published in distinguished peer-reviewed journals, including Frontiers in Toxicology, Frontiers in Immunology, and Particle and Fiber Toxicology. Dr. Alqahtani has shared his expertise extensively, both as a guest speaker at various events and as a host of educational workshops. His service to the scientific community includes memberships and representative roles in organizations like the Society of Toxicology and the Arab Toxicologists Association. He has actively contributed to academia by mentoring students at various stages of their educational journey. Dr. Alqahtani, committed to broadening his knowledge, is eager to search deeper into the regulation of immunology. His focus extends beyond immunotoxicity, aspiring also to contribute significantly to the field of nano-immunotherapy.

Saamera Awali is a PhD candidate at Michigan State University, where she studies dendritic cell function and maturation in response to influenza in the presence or absence of tBHQ—a commonly used additive and a known activator of the transcription factor Nrf2—using in vitro and in vivo murine models. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2019 where she did 3 years of undergraduate research in the field of neuro and environmental toxicology. Saamera has served as a student member at the Michigan Society for Neuroscience and the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. She is the author/co-author of 3 publications. Saamera has also been a member of the Society of Toxicology since 2021 and member of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics since 2022.

Dr. Nabila Saber Ahmed completed her doctorate degree of Pesticides Chemistry and toxicology from agriculture faculty, Alexandria University, Egypt. Where she started her academic career and serves now as Professor of pesticides chemistry & toxicology. She is currently working as consultant of Egyptchem International of Agrochemicals Company. She is experienced in pesticides registration in Middle East and African market. She is external auditing for the acute, and eco toxicity studies reports from GLP labs to support pesticide dossier registration.

Dr. Ahmed supervised a number of MSc & PhD thesis with research interest in eco toxicity as in quail, algae, frog; monitoring environmental pollution as pesticides, heavy metals (Pb) and study the biochemical effect of pesticides; delayed neurotoxicity of certain organophosphate; Oxidative stress and tissue damage induced by pesticide. She is PI of the project of study the efficacy of some nematicides to be register in Egypt. She has published research in reputable specialized national & international Journals. She is a member of many specialized societies and bodies of pesticides chemistry & toxicology.

Dr. Sahar Issa is a Professor of Clinical Toxicology & Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University-Egypt, and a Consultant Toxicologist and Medical Director in the Regional Poison Control Centre. She got her MSc (2001) and doctorate degrees (2009) in Clinical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine from Alexandria University-Egypt. Her research work exceeds 35 publications in both National & International Journals. She is interested in many areas of research focused on Drug Poisoning, Substances of Abuse, Designer Drugs, Forensic Toxicology, Electronic Health in Fields of Toxicology & Forensic Medicine. Besides studying Systemic effects of acute toxicity related to drugs, herbs, Pesticides, and food. Dr. Issa has presented oral talks and Poster presentations at many National and International Toxicology and Forensic sciences conferences and meetings. She is highly interested in investigating heavy metal poisonings, with interests in Lead Toxicity. She has been an editorial board member and reviewer in many reputable medical National & International Journals in clinical, analytical, experimental toxicology, and forensic medicine. She has a long expertise in Toxicology and forensic medicine fields exceeding 25 years in educational and governmental bodies inside & outside Egypt. She has been an SOT member since 2018. Dr. Issa has been a member of many scientific bodies as Natural Toxins, TIAFT, CSFS, AUFT, and many more.

Dr. Mouna Zachary is a UK-based toxicologist who joined ToxServices in mid-2009 after completing her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Hull, England. She is a chemist who specializes in the use of Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) software to help businesses assess and predict the behavior of chemical compounds in environmental systems. She has expertise in both European and North American regulations pertaining to chemicals and has conducted numerous workshops pertaining to REACH compliance and appropriate use of QSAR software. At ToxServices, Mouna has been involved in preparing chemical hazard assessments on numerous chemicals and formulations using ToxServices’ Full Materials Disclosure Screened Chemistry™ (ToxFMD^®) Program, Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Products Program, and Clean Production Action’s GreenScreen^® for Safer Chemicals. She has served as a GreenScreen^® for Safer Chemicals training course instructor and was involved in creating the framework underlying the revised GreenScreen^® polymer assessment method. Dr. Zachary is also a specialist in preparing Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for substances and mixtures in compliance with the US GHS (OSHA HazCom) and the EU-GHS (CLP). Dr. Zachary holds a BSc in Applied Chemistry and MSc in Chemical Process Technology from the University of Durham, England, and a PhD in chemistry from the University of York, England. She is a member of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

Dr. Alharris is a medical doctor and lecturer at the college of medicine in the University of Alqadiseyah where she works as a researcher and lecturer. She received her doctorate in biomedical Sciences from the University of South Carolina in 2018. Dr. Alharris got her bachelors in Medicine and general surgery in 1998 and her masters degree in human pathology at 2008 from the University of Alkufa. She is the author of three publications and co-author of two publications including peer-reviewed articles (two). She has been a member of the SOT since 2017 and has presented at SOT for three consecutive years.

The principal founder of the Arab Toxicologists Association (ATA)

Dr. Hadil Al Muhisen is from Alahsa, Saudi Arabia. In 2013, she received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the College of Science at King Faisal University. She worked for a year at Wyeth Nutrition (Nestle Global). In 2016, she underwent toxicology training at the Regional Poison Control Center in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Al Muhisen earned her MSc. degree in Toxicology from Texas A&M University in 2018, conducting research in Dr. Rajesh Miranda’s laboratory. Her doctoral degree, completed in 2023 under the guidance of Dr. Tracy Clement, focused on reproductive toxicology with a specific emphasis on factors influencing male fertility and spermatogenesis. During her studies, she successfully completed three projects utilizing genetically modified mice for biological studies and mice for hazardous identification and characterization in toxicology research.

Since 2018, Al Muhisen has been a member of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) and has presented at SOT events on multiple occasions. Additionally, she is the principal founder of the Arab Toxicologists Association (ATA), established as a special interest group within SOT in 2019. In 2023, she was honored with the Celebrating Women in Toxicology Award, a Leadership Award presented by the Women in Toxicology special interest group within SOT. Dr. Al Muhisen is also a member of the Saudi Toxicology Society (STS). Throughout her graduate studies, she provided mentorship and training to three undergraduate students, guiding them in laboratory skills such as recording experiment notes, tissue preparation and sectioning, and histology assessment.