Postdoctoral Profiles
EPA Ranks 3rd Nationally as Best Place to Work for Postdoctoral Fellows 2007 ... read more
Jimena L. Davis, Ph.D.Computational Mathematics, North Carolina State University I enjoy collaborating with so many talented disciplinary scientists in NCCT in efforts that will address critical issues in human health. Being able to utilize and further develop my computational and analytical skills while working on interesting yet challenging biological applications that are essential to the health of others is very rewarding and what I enjoy most about my work. Quantifying Uncertainty in Linked Exposure-to-Effects Models for Pyrethroid Pesticides Holly M. Mortensen, Ph.D.Biology, University of Maryland, College Park I enjoy using interdisciplinary approaches in solving complex biological problems with direct application to human health. I am inspired by working with the experts at the NCCT who are from very diverse scientific backgrounds, a composition that is essential in order to appropriately address complex human health issues. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through its ToxCast program, is developing predictive toxicity approaches that will use in vitro high-throughput screening (HTS), high-content screening (HCS) and toxicogenomic data to predict in vivo toxicity phenotypes. To help analyze the ToxCast data, which is generated from over 600 different assays, we are developing a platform to infer predictive toxicological signatures. Among other features, this platform will provide a visually intuitive representation, using network inference, of quantitative chemical effects across multiple levels of biological organization, including relationships to in vivo toxicity endpoints. We will use these methods to visualize the genes and pathways that are activated by environmental chemicals, in order to help set priorities for further testing. By linking specific chemicals to their genes and corresponding disease states, we will be able to generate useful hypotheses concerning differential risk across population groups, and in turn contribute to the larger goals of clarifying the role of gene-environment interaction in disease states.
Jason R. Pirone, Ph.D. Biomathematics and Toxicology (co-Ph.D.), North Carolina State University The ability to explore complex biological problems and to simultaneously assess how your research fits within the larger context of risk assessment is a unique aspect of working at the NCCT. I enjoy working in a truly interdisciplinary environment where modelers and experimentalists work collaboratively on problems of immediate relevance to human and ecological health. Virtual Liver Project Chester Rodriguez, Ph.D.Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles NCCT offers excellent training for postdoctoral fellows for utilizing the latest computational technologies for environmental-protection-driven research. I particularly enjoy using sophisticated computer simulation programs to better understand pharmacokinetics. I also value the excellent mentorship by established leaders in the field. Changes in Rat Pharmacokinetics with Age |