Environmental Health Sciences 
Environmental Toxicology Training Grant - Graduates
Supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH
Melissa Beck
Predoctoral Trainee (2001)
Co-mentors: Dr. Craig Harris and Dr. Martin Philbert
Thesis Title: Glutathione and mitochondrial redox status in mechanisms
of chemical embryotoxicity
Current Position: Staff Toxicologist, WIL Research Labs, OH
Kelly Brant
Predoctoral Trainee (2005)
Mentor: Dr. Rita Loch-Caruso
Thesis Title:
Role of Phospholipase A2 in 2,2',4'6-Tetra-Chlorobiphenyl Induced Stimulation of Uterine Function
Jason Cannon
Predoctoral Trainee (2006)
Co-mentors: Dr. Richard Keep and Dr. Rudy Richardson
Thesis Title: Glutathione and mitochondrial redox status in mechanisms
of chemical embryotoxicity
Thea Clipson
Predoctoral Trainee (2002)
Mentor: Dr. Rita Loch-Caruso
Thesis Title: The role ATP-dependent potassium channels in nitric oxide-mediated
inhibition of uterine contractility
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow with Dr. Cheryl Walker, MD Anderson
Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas
Jonathon Doorn
Predoctoral Trainee (2001)
Mentor: Dr. Rudy Richardson
Thesis Title: Stereoselective inactivation of serine hydrolases by isomalathion
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Colorado
Jason Hansen
Predoctoral Trainee (2002)
Mentor: Dr. Craig Harris
Thesis Title: Glutathione and oxidative stress in mechanisms of thalidomide
embryotoxicity in rats and rabbits
Current Position: Postdoctoral Fellow with Dr. Marie Csete, Emery University
Surekha Akella
Predoctoral Trainee (2000)
Mentor: Dr. Craig Harris
Thesis Title: Oxidative stress and chemical embryotoxicity: alterations
in cytosolic and mitochondrial glutathione induced changes in the redox
state of pyridine nucleotides
Current Position: Product Safety Scientist, Clorox Services Co., Pleasanton,
CA
Jeffrey L. Ambroso
Predoctoral Trainee (1994)
Mentor: Dr. Craig Harris
Thesis Title: Lysosomal cysteine proteinases and their role in visceral
yolk sac mediated nutrition and embryotoxicity
Current Position: Toxicologist, Glaxo-SmithKline, Research Triangle
Park, NC
Lorelle Bestervelt
Predoctoral Trainee (1993)
Mentor: Dr. Walter Piper (retired)
Thesis Title: 2,3,7,8 -Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin interference with
the synthesis and/or secretion of the anterior pituitary hormone adrenocorticotropin
Current Position: Director of Toxicology Services, National Sanitation
Foundation International, Ann Arbor, MI
Kyunghee Burkitt
Predoctoral Trainee (2007)
Mentor:
Thesis Title: Role of Fanconi anemia pathway in head and neck cancer.
Kay Criswell
Predoctoral Trainee (1993)
Mentor: Dr. Rita Loch Caruso
Thesis Title: Examination of a mechanism for lindane-induced elimination
of gap junctional communication in cultured myometrial smooth muscle
cells
Current Position: Associate Director, Drug Safety Evaluation, Pfizer,
MI
Kimberley Cummings
Postdoctoral Trainee (1998)
Mentor: Dr. Rita Loch Caruso
Research Description: Toxicant modification of expression of gap junction
protein in pregnant uterus
Current Position: Clinical Research Scientist, Cato Research Ltd, NC
Yi-Chen Jiang
Predoctoral Trainee (1999)
Mentor: Dr. Walter Piper (retired)
Thesis Title: The expression of drug carcinogen metabolizing cytochrome
P450 in the prostate and its role in carcinogenesis
Current Position: Product Safety Specialist, Ford Motor Co., Dearborn,
MI
Brian Marable
Predoctoral Trainee (1999)
Mentor: Dr. Rudy Richardson
Thesis Title: Mechanisms of protection against neurotoxic and anoxic
injury to axons
Current Position: Toxicologist, Dow Chemical Co., Midland, MI
Mary Sue Marty (Pahl)
Predoctoral Trainee (1993)
Mentor: Dr. Rita Loch-Caruso
Thesis Title: Development of a rat myometrial cell culture system to
study hormonal and toxicant effects on gap junctional communication
Current Position: Senior Research Toxicologist, Dow Chemical Co., Midland,
MI
Tamara McNutt-Scott
Postdoctoral Trainee (1995)
Mentor: Dr. Craig Harris
Research Description: Influence of environmental estrogenic compounds
on mammalian female reproductive physiology
Current Position: Lecturer, Dept. of Biological Sciences, Clemson University
Terri Miller
Predoctoral Trainee (2003)
Mentor: Dr. Martin Philbert
Thesis Title: Mechanisms of CI-1010-Induced Apoptosis of Retinal Neurons in the C57BL/6J Mouse
Steve Pernecky
Postdoctoral Trainee (1994)
Mentor: Dr. Coon (retired)
Research Description: Enzymology & toxicology of the cytochrome
P450 monooxygenase system
Current Position: Associate Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, Eastern Michigan
University
Jeffrey Pitt
Predoctoral Trainee (1997)
Mentor: Dr. Craig Harris
Thesis Title: Chemical- or dietary-induced maternal zinc deficiency
and developmental toxicity in the New Zealand white rabbit
Current Position: Staff Toxicologist, WIL Research Labs, OH
Joseph Randall
Predoctoral Trainee (1994)
Mentor: Dr. Rudy Richardson
Thesis Title: The potentiation of organophosphorus compound-induced
delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN)
Current Position: Research Scientist II, Amgen Inc., CA
James Reed
Postdoctoral Trainee (1999)
Mentor: Dr. Paul Hollenberg
Research Description: Effect of cytosol on the P450-mediated metabolism
of nitrosamine carcinogens: identification of a novel Phase II reaction
Current Position: Research Scientist, Merck Research Labs, Rahway, NJ
Kelly Regal
Postdoctoral Trainee (2000)
Mentor: Dr. Paul Hollenberg
Research Description: Mechanism-based inactivation of human P450s
Current Position: Senior Research Chemist, Merck Research Labs, West
Point, PA
Randall Schneider
Predoctoral Trainee (2000)
Mentor: Dr. Martin Philbert
Thesis Title: Characterization of Polyacrylamide Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery: Toxicology & Pharmacology
Natalie Thiex
Predoctoral Trainee (2008)
Mentor: Dr. Rita Loch-Caruso
Thesis Title:
Bjorn Thorsrud
Predoctoral Trainee (1995)
Mentor: Dr. Craig Harris
Thesis Title: Real time micro-fiberoptic spectroflurometry in evaluating
embryotoxicity and pyridine nucleotide redox status in the rodent conceptus
Current Position: Director, Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology,
Springborn Lab, Inc., Spencerville, OH
Ronald Tjalkens
Postdoctoral Trainee (2001)
Mentor: Dr. Martin Philbert
Research Description: Mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) in
differential susceptibility of neurons and astrocytes to dinitrobenzene
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University
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