Azita (AJ) Cuevas, PhD, MPH, DABT, ERT, ATS
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Dr. Azita (AJ) Cuevas is a board-certified toxicologist with more than 15 years of experience in consumer product safety. She currently serves at Combe Inc., where she leads the Global Product Safety and Consumer Vigilance teams, conducting risk assessments for OTC drugs, medical devices, and cosmetic products. Her responsibilities include commissioning and overseeing in vitro testing, clinical research, and biocompatibility studies to ensure product safety and regulatory compliance. She was recently recognized as a Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences (ATS) in recognition of her sustained professional contributions and leadership in toxicology. Prior to joining Combe, she built and led a product safety team at Henkel, overseeing the toxicology function for the Beauty Professional and Consumer portfolios across the Americas, and later expanding her responsibilities to include laundry and home care. Earlier in her career at PepsiCo, she evaluated the safety of novel ingredients within the Scientific Affairs function of Global R&D.
Dr. Cuevas earned her doctorate from the New York University School of Medicine, where her research focused on the mechanisms by which ambient particulate matter drives vascular dysfunction. She also holds a Master of Public Health in Environmental Science from New York Medical College, a BA in Kinesiology, and an MS in Physiology from the University of Colorado. As a member of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) since 2007, she has demonstrated a long standing commitment to the Society through continued involvement across multiple Specialty Sections. She completed a three year appointment on the SOT Education Committee, including serving as Chair of the International ToxScholar Grant. She has held officer roles within several sections, including the Hispanic Organization for Toxicologists Special Interest Group (HOT), Food Safety Specialty Section, Sustainable Chemicals through Contemporary Toxicology Specialty Section, Exposure Specialty Section, and most recently the Dermal Toxicology Specialty Section (DTSS).
Dr. Cuevas has also served on the HOT Awards Committee and successfully secured travel award funding for HOT awardees over multiple years. Even during periods without a formal leadership role, she remained actively engaged with HOT, reflecting her continued dedication to the Special Interest Group and to the broader goals of SOT. In parallel with her professional and Society leadership, she dedicates significant time to mentorship and to paying it forward to the next generation of toxicologists. She has mentored students at multiple career stages and, most recently, a postdoctoral toxicologist who joined her team, underscoring her commitment to professional development, inclusion, and long term workforce sustainability. She also serves as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology.