Curriculum in Toxicology
ILONA JASPERS, Director
Louise M. Ball, Metabolism and Genotoxicity of Environmental Xenobiotics
Thomas W. Bouldin, Neuropathology, Ocular Pathology and Neurotoxicology
Kim R. Brouwer, Pharmacokinetics, Hepatic Transport, Hepatobiliary Disposition, Biliary Excretion, Hepatotoxicity
Frank C. Church, Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Breast and Prostate Carcinogenesis, Macromolecular Structure-Function
William B. Coleman, Hepatocarcinogenesis, Tumor Suppressor Genes, Biology of Liver Stem Cells, Cancer Epigenetics
Marila Cordeiro-Stone, DNA Repair and Replication in Human Cells, Mechanisms of Response to DNA Damage
Channing J. Der, Ras Protein Superfamily, Signal Transduction and Oncogenesis
Mohanish P. Deshmukh, Molecular Mechanisms of Apoptosis in Neurons and Other Postmitotic Cells
Avram Gold, Structure-Reactivity Relationships in Metabolism and Mutagenicity of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Milan J. Hazucha, Health Effects of Air Pollutants, Human Studies, Mechanisms of Response
David J. Holbrook Jr., Biochemical Toxicology, Xenobiotic Metabolism
David G. Kaufman, DNA Replication, Chemical Carcinogenesis
William K. Kaufmann, DNA Metabolism in Radiation and Chemical Carcinogenesis
Nobuyo N. Maeda, Animal Models of Hyperlipidemia, Atherosclerosis and Cardiomyopathy
Terry Magnuson, Mammalian Genetics, Genomics and Development
A. Leslie Morrow, Neurotoxicology and Excitotoxicity of Alcohol
Leena A. Nylander-French, Development of Methods to Monitor and Assess Dermal Exposure to Chemical Carcinogens and Contact Sensitizers
David B. Peden, Translational and Clinical Research in Environmental Lung Disease
Charles M. Perou, Characterization and Classification of Human Breast Tumors into Subtypes of Biological and Clinical Importance
Daniel Pomp, Genetic Architecture of Complex Traits, Gene-Environment Interactions, Polygenic Mouse Models, Obesity
Dale A. Ramsden, V(D)J Recombination and DNA Double Strand Break Repair
W. Kimryn Rathmell, Genetics of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Aziz Sancar, DNA Repair and Cancer, Structure and Function of DNA Repair Enzymes, Connection between the Circadian Clock and DNA Excision Repair
Norman E. Sharpless, Tumor Suppressor Genes, Genetics of Cancer and Aging
Miroslav Styblo, Metabolism and Biological Effects of Essential and Toxic Metals and Metalloids
James A. Swenberg, Carcinogenesis, DNA and Protein Adducts, Cell Proliferation, Risk Assessment
Nancy E. Thomas, Molecular Carcinogenesis, Environmental Toxicology, Molecular Epidemiology, Research Translation, Biomarkers
Alexander Tropsha, Molecular Modeling, Computer-Assisted Drug Design, Molecular Dynamics of Proteins, Protein Folding
Paul B. Watkins, Mechanistic Toxicology, Hepatotoxicology, Research Translation, Biomarkers
Bernard E. Weissman, Chromatin Remodeling and Epigenetic Alterations in Human Cancer
Elizabeth M. Wilson, Environmental Androgens and Antiandrogens, Androgen Receptor Regulation of Prostate Cancer
Rebecca Fry, Metal-Induced Disease, Prenatal Origins of Disease, Toxicogenomics
David Neil Hayes, Lung Carcinogenesis, Research Translation, Biomarkers, Computational Toxicology
Ilona Jaspers, Cellular Mechanisms of Air Pollutant Toxicity
Jeffrey M. Macdonald, Metabolomics and Fluxomics Using NMR Spectroscopy and Imaging, Tissue Engineering
Scott H. Randell, Identification of Airway Epithelial Stem Cells, Airway Innate Immunity, Pathophysiology of Lung Diseases
Philip C. Smith, Toxicokinetics and Xenobiotic Metabolism, Peptide Analysis and Disposition
Cyrus Vaziri, Cell Cycle Responses to Environmental Genotoxins (Benzo[a]pyrene, UV Radiation), DNA Replication and Repair, Genome Stability
Michelle L. Hernandez, Severe Asthma, Development of Novel Therapies Against Neutrophilic Airway Inflammation
Faculty Affiliates from Other Research Institutions
Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences
Edward L. LeCluyse, Cellular/Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Liver Cytochrome P450 Enzymes Expression
MaryJane K. Selgrade, Immunotoxicology
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Trevor Archer, Molecular Carcinogenesis, Chromatin Structure, Control of Gene Transcription, Epigenetics
Linda S. Birnbaum, Chemical Disposition of Xenobiotics, Mechanistic Toxicology, Dose-Response and Risk Assessment
Michael DeVito, Development of Models for Cumulative Risk to Endocrine Disruptors
Suzanne Fenton, Environmental Effects on Mammary Gland Development and Function
Michael B. Fessler, Induction and Regulation of Innate Immune Response, Toll-like Receptor Signaling
G. Jean Harry, Developmental Neurotoxicology, Molecular Neuro/Immunotoxicology
Steven R. Kleeberger, Genetic Determinants of Environmental Lung Disease
Gregory S. Travlos, Hematology and Clinical Chemistry
Carmen J. Williams, Environmental Effects on Reproductive Biology and Early Mammalian Embryogenesis, Epigenetics, Endocrine Disruption
North Carolina State University
David C. Dorman, Experimental Neurotoxicology, Nasal Toxicology, Pharmacokinetics
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Martha Sue Carraway, Study Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Injury in Response to Inhaled Particulate and Gaseous Pollutants Using InVitro and Animal Models
Daniel L. Costa, Cardiopulmonary and Inhalation Toxicology, Health Effects of Air Pollutants
Kevin M. Crofton, Understanding the Consequences of Endocrine Disruption on Neurodevelopment
Robert B. Devlin, Pulmonary Toxicology, Molecular Biology
David Díaz-Sánchez, Translation Research, Environmental Impacts on Human Health, Immunology, Genetic Susceptibility, Epigenetics
Aimen K. Farraj, Comparative Cardiovascular Effects of Biodiesel and Petroleum Diesel Fuel Emissions
M. Ian Gilmour, Pulmonary Toxicology, Immunotoxicology
Mehdi A. Hazari, Neurophysiological Mechanisms Mediating Cardiopulmonary Dysfunction Due to Air Pollution Exposure
E. Sidney Hunter, Mechanisms of Developmental Toxicity, Oxidative Stress, Embryonic Stem Cells in Developmental Toxicity
Gary Klinefelter, Male Reproductive Toxicology
Urmila P. Kodavanti, Cardiovascular Diseases and Susceptibility, Air Pollutants, Cardiopulmonary Interactions, Molecular Mechanisms, Genetic and Environmental Factors
Robert Luebke, Modulation of Normal Immune Function by Environmental Agents, Alternative Methods for Screening/Testing Immunotoxicants
Michael C. Madden, Air Pollution Toxicology, Lung Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Michael G. Narotsky, Developmental Toxicology, Pregnancy Maintenance and Parturition
Stephanie Padilla, Behavioral Toxicology and Neurotoxicology
John M. Rogers, Developmental Toxicology, Teratology, Developmental Biology, Embryology, Nutrition
James M. Samet, Inflammatory Responses to Pollutant Inhalation, Cytokines, Eicosanoids
Washington State University
Mary F. Paine, Drug Xenobiotic Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics, Drug Xenobiotic Interactions
Ram (T. V.) Ramabhadran, Neurotoxicological Effects of Environmental Pollutants, Cellular Stress Pathways
The Curriculum in Toxicology administers a degree program leading to the award of the Ph.D. in toxicology. The curriculum is an interdisciplinary program, and its faculty is drawn from various administrative units of the schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Public Health. The training faculty also includes scientists at government laboratories on campus or in the Research Triangle Park (e.g., EPA, NIEHS). The research interests of the faculty include most areas of toxicology, with particular emphasis on understanding the links between the environment and health risks, the mode of action of toxicants and disease pathogenesis and how emerging knowledge could be translated into prevention strategies, new therapeutic interventions, and an improved scientific basis for risk assessment. The main areas of research concentration are molecular carcinogenesis, mechanistic toxicology, neurotoxicology, cardiopulmonary toxicology, hepatic toxicology, computational toxicology, developmental toxicology, immunotoxicology, drug and xenobiotic metabolism, and ethanol toxicology. Multidisciplinary efforts are directed at environmental toxicology, systems biology, animal models of human diseases, translational research, and biomarkers. The faculty generally does not conduct research in the areas of aquatic toxicology, forensic toxicology, the ecological aspects of toxicology, or studies in invertebrate systems. The research activities of the Curriculum in Toxicology are conducted in the laboratory facilities assigned to each faculty member by a participating administrative unit.
Students with interest in the Ph.D. degree in toxicology must apply for Graduate School admission through the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program. Applications are considered from students who have received or expect to receive a B.S./B.A. or an M.S. degree in a scientific discipline. A desirable background for pre-doctoral studies in toxicology includes courses in biological sciences (including histology and animal physiology), in chemistry (including analytical and organic), and in mathematics through calculus, although all of these are not absolutely essential. A strong course in general biochemistry accelerates the student's progress. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of undergraduate (and graduate) academic performance, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, and letters of recommendation. Students are accepted on the basis of their achievement and potential. Prior research experience is strongly considered in the assessment of qualifications for admission.
Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree
The selection of graduate courses is influenced by the student's prior academic background. The academic courses that are considered appropriate for graduate training in toxicology include biochemistry, biostatistics, pathology, pharmacology, toxicology, and two elective courses in the specific areas of the doctoral research. In addition, each pre-doctoral student is expected to participate in other training activitiesi.e., student-centered seminars and scientific meetingswhile developing the doctoral dissertation project. Attendance and participation in the Curriculum in Toxicology seminar series is required during the entire training period.
A major requirement for the Ph.D. degree is a doctoral dissertation based on the development of the student's research project. Written and oral examinations are required in the fields of general toxicology and the student's research concentration.
The curriculum seeks to fund pre-doctoral students each year. All applicants are considered for financial aid awards.
Courses for Graduate and Advanced Undergraduate Students
423 Developmental Toxicology and Teratology (CBIO 423) (2). See CBIO 423 for description.
442 Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology (BIOC 442, ENVR 442) (3). See ENVR 442 for description.
Courses for Graduate Students
702 Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology (PHCO 702) (3). See PHCO 702 for description.
707 Advanced Toxicology (ENVR 707, PHCO 707) (3). Prerequisite, PHCO 702. Permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisite. Cellular and physiological basis of toxicity of environmental chemicals, with emphasis on inhalation toxicology, developmental toxicology, immunotoxicology, radiation toxicology, renal toxicology, and neurotoxicology. Three lecture hours per week.
721 Toxicology Seminar II (1). Student-conducted presentations and discussions of recent advances in toxicology; emphasis on critical evaluation of published investigations and on organization and oral delivery of presentations. One hour per week.
722 Toxicology Seminar III (ENVR 722) (1). Presentations by outside invited speakers, local faculty, advanced graduate students, and postdoctoral trainees. Topics will cover all areas of research in toxicology. One hour per week.
760 Toxicokinetics (3). A quantitative examination of the time course of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and biologic effects of agents of toxicologic interest. Three lecture hours per week.
792 Seminar in Carcinogenesis (PATH 792) (2). See PATH 792 for description.
821 Scientific Writing (1). Doctoral candidacy in toxicology required. Workshops on scientific writing with special emphasis on fellowship applications and the doctoral research proposal. Students work on several written assignments and are expected to complete a draft of their proposals by the end of the semester.
901 Research in Toxicology (3). May be repeated. Students register in this course as they formulate their doctoral research projects.
993 Master's Research and Thesis (3). May be repeated. Hours and credits to be arranged.
994 Doctoral Research and Dissertation (3). May be repeated. Hours and credits to be arranged.