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Superfund Basic Research Program
The SBRP presents this annual award to an outstanding scholar to pay tribute to the life and scientific accomplishments of Karen E. Wetterhahn, former director of the SBRP at Dartmouth College. Dr. Wetterhahn died in 1997 as the result of an accidental exposure to dimethylmercury. An acknowledged international expert on the effects of heavy metals on biological systems, Dr. Wetterhahn was a leader in conducting research on how metals initiate cancer and other metal-induced human diseases at the molecular level. She fostered links between biology, chemistry, environmental studies, engineering, and medical science, insisting that "The life sciences are interdisciplinary." Ms. Timme-Laragy is a cum laude graduate of the Franklin and Marshall College where she earned a B.A. in Biology and Anthropology and minored in Environmental Studies. She is in the fifth year of a Ph.D. program at Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Integrated Toxicology Program under the guidance of Dr. Richard T. Di Giulio. Ms. Timme-Laragy's research utilizes a zebrafish embryo model to understand how certain combinations of PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon) greatly increase toxicity over what is predicted from studies of single PAH. Her research is elucidating mechanisms underlying the very marked, and totally surprising, synergy that has been previously observed between PAHs that act as AHR (Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor) agonists and PAHs that act as CYP1A (Cytochrome P450 1A) inhibitors on cardiovascular development in zebrafish embryos. According to Dr. Di Giulio "this synergy has very important implications for risk assessments of PAHs, as currently risk estimates of this chemical class employ an additive model for summing hazards posed by individual compounds". Understanding the mechanistic basis for this synergy will aid in a more accurate assessment of toxicity that can then be applied to other toxicants with similar mechanisms of action, and will contribute to predictive models for PAH mixtures, the environmental norm. The NIEHS congratulates Ms. Timme-Laragy on her research accomplishments and wishes her continued success in her scientific career.  |
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The Superfund Basic Research Program (SBRP) is pleased to announce that Ms. Alicia R. Timme-Laragy of Duke University is the recipient of the ninth annual Karen Wetterhahn Memorial Award. The award will be presented to Ms. Timme-Laragy on December 12th, 2006 at the SBRP Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. 
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