Officers

Dr. Adhithiya Charli is currently working as a Principal Scientist—Toxicology at Biogen, Inc (Cambridge, Massachusetts). As a Principal Scientist, Adhithiya has been involved in several drug development programs ranging over a variety of modalities. He has also contributed to study designing and execution of several IND enabling programs and submissions. Adhithiya has previously worked as a Study Director, at Charles River Laboratories (Horsham, PA) for about three years. As a Study Director, he has conducted several pre-clinical safety assessment studies per regulatory guidelines (US FDA and OECD) and GLP standards in the fields of Juvenile Toxicology, Development and Reproductive Toxicology (DART), Phototoxicology and Cell/Gene Therapy. Prior to joining Charles River Laboratories, we worked as a postdoctoral research associate at Iowa State University in the College of Veterinary Medicine. His work during postdoc primarily focused on early neurodegenerative disease diagnosis strategies using serum and multi-vesicular based biomarker discovery and novel therapeutic targets. This also involved analysis of pre-clinical and clinical samples of neurodegeneration.

Dr. Charli received his doctorate in Toxicology from Iowa State University (Ames, IA) in 2018. His doctoral research was about focused on the mechanistic role of environmental pesticides triggering neuronal toxicity effects, that lead to the etiopathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease.

Dr. Charli has several scientific and review article publications in high impact peer reviewed journals and has also co-authored several book chapters. Adding on, he has presented his research in many scientific conferences and his research works has been recognized through several commendable awards including scientific scholarships, research grants, travel awards and best poster/paper awards. Adhithiya also currently serves as a manuscript reviewer for the Toxicological Sciences and ACS Chemical Neuroscience. Adhithiya has been a member of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) since 2013 and American College of Toxicology (ACT) since 2015 and has served as the graduate student representative for several Specialty Sections (BTSS, NTSS, ASIO, etc.,). He currently holds the Associate Member status at the SOT and ACT. In addition, since the beginning of 2022, Adhithiya has been a contributing member representing Biogen, Inc in the BioSafe Committee and Bespoke Gene Therapy Consortium—Foundation for the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Neera Tewari-Singh is an Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and an affiliated faculty at the Institute for Integrative Toxicology at Michigan State University. She received her doctoral degree from the School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi but mainly carried out her doctoral research under the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) fellowship at the Institute of Molecular Genetics, Leibniz University Hannover, Germany. She was a postdoctoral fellow at the Colorado State University (2003–2006) and then a Research Associate, Instructor and Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Denver (2006–2018). With an extensive background in molecular biology and toxicology, the long-term goal of her research is to pursue basic and translational research to develop countermeasures/ targeted therapies against the chemical threat and environmental exposures that can cause harmful effects/mass casualties as well as long-term inflammatory diseases to the human population. Dr. Tewari-Singh is a principal investigator on funded grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense programs.

Due to her recognition in the field of Toxicology and Medical Chemical Defense, she has been invited to serve as a Dermal Toxicology Expert on the Scientific Advisory Board, National Center for Toxicological Research, US FDA, and to serve on the National Academy of Sciences committee to address specific issues related to strategies to prevent, counter, and respond to chemical terrorism, and identify technical, policy, and resource gaps. Dr. Tewari-Singh serves as an expert volunteer to address critical national issues in this area that will provide unbiased advice to the federal government, other policy and decision makers, and the public. She has extensively published her work (over 50 peer-reviewed publications and reviews) and had been invited to give talks at National and International meetings as well as Academic Institutions. She has received numerous honors and awards including the Society of Toxicology-Association of Scientists of Indian Origin Young Investigator Award, Ocular Toxicology Innovation and Impact Award, and the Dermal Toxicology Best Paper of the Year award.

Dr. Tewari-Singh has developed strong research collaborations, mentors’ postdoctoral fellows, graduate, and undergraduate students, and has demonstrated leadership and service in professional societies and academic institutions. She has been a member of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) since 2008 and has chaired several scientific sessions, participated in mentoring events, and organized and chaired continuing education course in 2019. She has served as a Councilor, President, and Treasurer for the Dermal Toxicology and Ocular Toxicology Specialty Sections, respectively, of the SOT and is currently the Treasurer of the Michigan Chapter of the SOT. She serves on several NIH and the Department of Defense grant review panels, and the Pharmacology and Toxicology department committees and is also the Chairperson, Committee on Research and Graduate Studies for the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University. In addition, Dr. Tewari-Singh serves on the editorial boards of toxicology journals like Toxics; Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods; and Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology.

Dr. Smita Salian-Mehta is a board-certified (DABT)and European registered toxicologist (ERT) and is currently a Principal Scientist II at Gilead, where she leads as a non-clinical lead and nonclinical sub-team lead on research and development project teams for the past 3 years. Smita is responsible for designing, implementation, oversight and analysis of nonclinical programs to support drug development candidates across a variety of small molecules and biologic platforms for Oncology, Immunology and Virology portfolios. Her responsibilities include supporting global regulatory filings and actively lead integration of early nonclinical safety strategies from discovery throughout post-marketing. Previously to Gilead, Smita was a Senior Scientist at Abbvie for more than 5 years, where she supported nonclinical safety assessment of drug candidates for small molecule and biologic modalities. She received her bachelors and master’s in microbiology (2004), doctorate in Biochemistry (specialization in Reproductive Toxicology) from National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (Indian Council of Medical Research), Mumbai in 2010. Smita also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Neuroendocrinology at University of Colorado from 2011–2015. She has authored/co-authored 18 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Salian-Mehta has served on the several external industry organizations like Biosafe (leadership and general meeting committee), Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI-Immunosafety translational sciences), Pharmaceutical & Bioscience Society International (PBSS-organizer) and international consortium (IQ) working groups (WGs) Minipig and CRO outreach WG and co-chair for IQ NHP husbandry and 3R-Recovery WGs. Internally, Smita has actively supported several committees including AbbVie 3R advancement committee, Gilead NHP husbandry meeting, Gilead biologic/degrader working groups. Smita has been a member of SOT since 2009 and is active SOT and ASIO mentor, ASIO newsletter committee member and presented at regional SOT annual meetings and Women in toxicology webinars. Smita served as president (2021–2022), president-elect (2020–2021), councilor (2017–2019) for the Mid-west regional chapter of SOT. She is an active member of the regional and national toxicology community. As a previous recipient of the first ASIO international travel award, Smita strongly values the role ASIO, and its mentors have made on her career as a toxicologist. In the role of a vice-president elect at ASIO, her leadership role will be to enhance visibility for ASIO, foster existing member network activities, encourage young toxicologists, and provide significant contribution to ASIO-driven initiatives.

Dr. Shanthi Ganesan is a principal investigator at Prelude Therapeutics, where she designs and implements comprehensive toxicology strategies, and ensures strict regulatory compliance. She also serves as a Study Monitor for outsourced studies, ensuring they meet scientific and regulatory standards. Her expertise covers all aspects of toxicology study management, including the design, execution, and analysis of studies, as well as the critical review of study protocols and reports. Her role is essential in advancing the development of therapeutic candidates through rigorous toxicological evaluation, contributing to the safety and efficacy of new drugs. Dr. Ganesan’s academic background is rooted in veterinary and animal sciences. She earned her Bachelor of Veterinary Science from Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (1995–2001), followed by a Master’s degree in Animal Biotechnology (2006–2008). She then completed a PhD in Toxicology with a Minor in Veterinary Pathology (2011–2014) and a postdoctoral fellowship (2014–2019) at Iowa State University. Dr. Ganesan is the author or co-author of 31 publications, including peer-reviewed articles and two book chapters. Throughout her academic career, Dr. Ganesan has held significant leadership roles. She served as a graduate student representative on the Policy Library Advisory Committee and acted as a Work/Life Balance Postdoctoral Representative at Iowa State University, advocating for the well-being of her peers. Additionally, she has served as a Vice President and Treasurer of the Postdoctoral Association at Iowa State University. She has been a member of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) since 2011, she has also served as a session co-chairperson at the annual meetings and as a chairperson for poster sessions at the Society for the Study of Reproduction’s annual meetings. Her commitment to work-life balance and her role in mentoring graduate students highlight her holistic approach to professional and personal development. Dr. Ganesan continues to make significant contributions to toxicology, driven by her passion for science and her commitment to advancing public health.

Dr. Sudin Bhattacharya is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Pharmacology & Toxicology at Michigan State University, where he leads a group that conducts research at the interface of computation and biology. He is a winner of the 2018 Young Investigator Award from the Association of Scientists of Indian Origin of the Society of Toxicology (SOT), as well as the 2018 Edward Carney Award for Predictive Toxicology from the American Society for Cellular and Computational Toxicology. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Dr. Bhattacharya received his doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 2006, and was a postdoctoral fellow at The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences from 2007 to 2009. He has served on the Systemic Injury by Environmental Exposure (SIEE) Study Section at the NIH, and was a co-organizer of the National Academy of Sciences workshop on “The Promise of Single Cell and Single Molecule Analysis Tools to Advance Environmental Health Research.”

Dr. Bhattacharya is author or co-author of over 30 publications including peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. He has been a member of the SOT since 2011 and has served the SOT in the following capacities:

• President-Elect, Michigan-SOT, 2017–2018.
• President, Michigan-SOT, 2018–2019.
• Secretary, Computational Toxicology Specialty Section, 2018–2019.

Dr. Prajakta Shimpi is the Senior Scientist II, Toxicologist at L'Oréal, USA, where she supports safety evaluation for hair care and other cosmetic products. In her job she is responsible of conducting safety assessment/ risk assessment on raw materials and finished products according to SCCS guidelines and preparing Product Information File (PIF) package per the EU Cosmetics Regulation. She received a doctorate in Pharmacology and Toxicology from University of Rhode Island in 2015 and was a postdoctoral scholar at University of Rhode Island from 2015–2016. She is author/co-author of 5 Publications including peer-reviewed articles. She has been a member of the SOT since 2013 and has received multiples honors and awards at SOT including Colgate-Palmolive Student Award for Research in Alternative Methods, SOT (Society of Toxicology) 2015, Best Oral Presentation, Northeast SOT, 2014, The Molecular and Systems Biology Graduate Student Research Award, SOT 2015, Carl Smith Award for Meritorious Research, Mechanisms Specialty Section, SOT 2015, Dr. Harihara Mehendale Graduate Student Best Abstract Award, Association of Scientists of Indian Origin (ASIO), SOT 2015, Ronald G. Thurman Student Travel Award, Mechanisms Specialty Section, SOT Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 2015. She is currently the Councilor of Dermal Toxicology Specialty Section.

Dr. Swati Rawat is a highly accomplished Senior Manager at BD, leading the Biocompatibility and Toxicology group within the Advanced Patient Monitoring Business Unit. In this role, she provides expert oversight of biological and chemical data evaluation for toxicological risk assessments of medical devices, ensuring comprehensive biocompatibility. As a board-certified toxicologist, she is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of preclinical safety testing programs, encompassing the design of both in vitro and in vivo studies. Dr. Rawat also directs the preparation of detailed biocompatibility reports to support regulatory submissions, conducts thorough gap assessments of ISO 10993 standards, and performs impact analyses on legacy products. Dr. Rawat earned her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Wayne State University in 2011, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Irvine from 2011 to 2014. Since 2019, she has served on the Biological Evaluation Committee for the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), contributing to various working groups, including AAMI BE-WG06 (Mutagenicity, Carcinogenicity, and Reproductive Toxicity) and AAMI BE-WG10. She is also an active member of the Biocompatibility Working Group for the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed). Dr. Rawat’s scholarly contributions include authorship and co-authorship of ten publications, encompassing peer-reviewed articles in prestigious journals, such as Nature, and book chapters. Since 2022, she has been a member of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) and actively participates in Women in Toxicology, ASIO, and the Southern California Regional Chapter of SOT. As a Councilor, Dr. Rawat is committed to fostering a dynamic community of toxicology professionals dedicated to advancing the field. She aims to enhance member engagement through regular workshops and seminars highlighting cutting-edge research and emerging trends. By facilitating collaboration among academia, industry, and regulatory bodies, she seeks to create a robust platform for knowledge dissemination and professional networking. Furthermore, she is dedicated to advocating for public outreach initiatives that educate on critical toxicological issues, ensuring the society plays a pivotal role in informing policy and promoting safe practices. Her overarching goal is to strengthen the chapter’s impact and visibility, thereby contributing to a healthier and safer environment for all.

Dr. Sadiya Bi Shaikh is a Postdoctoral Associate at Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York where she is actively involved in multidisciplinary basic and translational research that aims to elucidate mechanisms of cellular senescence using radiation and inhalation toxicology during tissue fibrosis utilizing novel in vitro and in vivo models of chronic inflammatory respiratory diseases emphasizing lung fibrosis and COPD. She also gain extensive experience working on tobacco products. Her long-term career goal is to excel in scholarly research and services with the abreast knowledge and understanding on the role of Interleukin 17A (IL-17A) in regulating the lung fibrinolytic system initiating respiratory injuries that contributes to the pathobiology of chronic inflammatory respiratory diseases using multi-omics approaches. She received a doctorate in Molecular Biology and Proteomics from Yenepoya University in 2020 and was a Postdoctoral Scholar at University of California, Riverside from 2021–2022. Currently, she is a postdoctoral associate at Rahman Lab, at University of Rochester. Dr. Shaikh is an active member of American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society. During her PhD, she has been awarded with honorable National and International awards and scholarships. She is author/co-author of 28 Publications including peer-reviewed articles and two provisional patents. Dr. Shaikh serves as a reviewer at peer-reviewed journals like Laboratory Investigation, Drugs and Chemical Toxicology, Aging, Bioengineered, Theranostics, Journal of Pathology. She has been a member of the SOT since 2022 and is looking forward to contributing to the success of SOT. Dr. Shaikhs contributions to toxicology would benefit for professional development and advocate issues of students and postdocs of Indian origin.

Mr. Rahul Kumar is a graduate student at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. His research interest is to understand the role of the tristetraprolin family of RNA-binding proteins in liver physiology, xenobiotic-induced liver injury, and cancer. He received a bachelor’s in veterinary medicine from CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, India in 2017 and a master’s in veterinary pathology from Indian Veterinary Research Institute in 2019. Dr. Kumar is actively involved in various scientific societies and presented his research work in the annual meetings of the Society of Toxicology (SOT), the Society of Toxicologic Pathology (STP), and the American College of Toxicology (ACT). He has been a member of SOT and ASIO since 2021 and has volunteered for ASIO Newsletter. He is currently serving as a member of STP’s Newsletter Committee (2023–2024) and ACT’s Communication Committee (2022–2025). In the past, he has served as Treasurer of the Graduate Student Organization (2022–2023). He is an author/co-author of 4 peer-reviewed publications and has received numerous awards from various scientific societies. Dr. Kumar is excited to lead as a Graduate Student Representative in ASIO.