SOT is pleased to announce the four newly elected members of the SOT Nominating Committee, which is charged with submitting nominations for each elective office and Committee.
NORBERT E. KAMINSKI
Elected to represent the SOT Past Presidents, Norbert E. Kaminski, PhD, is a Professor of pharmacology and toxicology, Director of the Institute for Integrative Toxicology, and Director of the Center for Research on Ingredient Safety at Michigan State University. He holds joint appointment in the College of Human Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. Dr. Kaminski joined the Michigan State faculty in 1993. Previously, Dr. Kaminski held the rank of Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Virginia in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (1985–1999).
Dr. Kaminski has served on advisory panels including National Academy of Sciences (NAS)/Institute of Medicine (IOM) Review of the Health Effects in Vietnam Veterans of Exposure to Herbicides (1992–1994); US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Science Advisory Board on Dioxin Reassessment Review (1995); NAS/IOM Study on the Assessment of the Health Implications of Exposure to Dioxins (2004–2006); Michigan Environmental Science Board (2004–2007); National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) on Health Effects of Marijuana (2016–2017); and National Academy of Medicine Committee on Emerging Science on Environmental Health (2017–2021). Dr. Kaminski also has served on peer review panels, including US EPA Science Review Panel for Health Research (1990–1992); as a member of the National Institutes of Health ALTX-4 Study Section (1998–2003); and as an ad hoc member for National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Institute on Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, Wellcome Trust, and Chair of an American Chemistry Council Peer Review Panel (2001).
Dr. Kaminski was an Associate Editor for the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (2004–2009), served on the Toxicological Sciences Editorial Board (1998–2008), is a founding member of the Editorial Board for Nonlinearity in Biology, Toxicology, and Medicine, and is currently on the Editorial Board for the journal Toxicology.
Dr. Kaminski served the Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology as Chair of the Membership Committee (2002–2010) and as a member of its Council ( 2004–2010). Dr. Kaminski served on the Board of Trustees for ILSI/HESI (2003–2012) and as Treasurer for ILSI/HESI (2010–2012). Dr. Kaminski served a member of NIEHS National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council. (2013–2017). Dr. Kaminski currently serves on the Board of Director for the Toxicology Forum (2019–present).
Goals for SOT
In my view, the Nominating Committee is one of the most important standing committees within SOT as this is the Committee that selects the slate of candidates on our yearly ballot from which we elect the Society’s leadership. My goals, if elected to the Nominating Committee (representing Past Presidents), are quite straightforward. I will do my very best to ensure that the Nominating Committee does what it absolutely can to select candidates who are best aligned with the Society’s goals and values—scientifically, ethically, and financially—and that the slate of candidates presented to our membership is representative of our Society’s membership. I also would like to emphasize the importance for the Nominating Committee to be especially mindful in their selection of candidates for early and mid-career leadership positions as this is one critically important way in which our Society can affect the long-term direction and success of SOT.
ASHLEY M. BRINKMAN
Elected to represent the Regional Chapters, Ashley M. Brinkman, PhD, DABT, Ashley M. Brinkman is a board-certified toxicologist with seven years of experience in the consumer and professional goods industry. She is currently the Senior Manager of Toxicology at Central Garden & Pet Company, where she provides toxicological support for the US Environmental Protection Agency and US Food and Drug Administration–regulated products.
Previously, Dr. Brinkman was a toxicologist at SC Johnson & Son, where she evaluated the safety of cleaning products and personal care/cosmetic products, as well as managed a global team of toxicologists. Prior to this, Dr. Brinkman’s experience in toxicology began during her PhD work on development of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems to mitigate chemotherapy toxicity in a model of breast cancer.
Dr. Brinkman is currently President of the SOT Midwest Regional Chapter and previously served as the group’s Secretary.
Goals for SOT
I am passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. My goal, if elected to serve on the SOT Nominating Committee, is to support the Society’s DEI commitment by helping develop diverse slates of candidates for SOT office.
MARQUEA D. KING
Elected to represent the Special Interest Groups, Marquea D. King, PhD, is the Office Director of Scientific Quality Review with the Agricultural Research Service in the US Department of Agriculture. She is responsible for the quality peer review, both internal and external, of the Agency’s people, projects, and programs. She communicates and enforces Agency policy and requirements regarding the quality peer review over three distinct programmatic areas: the classification of nearly 1,500 research scientists, the review of 690 intramural research projects, and the retrospective review of 15 national programs.
Dr. King personifies the commitment to advancing the mission of the Society and has done so without interruption for the past 23 years. Her continued mentorship of students and colleagues alike is well-known, and for this, she is often sought after for myriad speaking engagements and interactions. She instills a culture of respect and appreciation for the science which the Society upholds. From a bench-trained toxicologist to office director, she exemplifies the continued relationship essential to view research based on its scientific merit.
A previous President of the SOT Toxicologists of African Origin Special Interest Group, Dr. King also is serving on the Society’s Collaborative Conferences Committee, has served on the Committee on Diversity Initiatives, and was Chair of the Undergraduate Consortium Task Force.
Goals for SOT
Ideally, this position will allow me to ensure that the diverse and equitable stance which SOT promotes is both upheld and is mirrored in the qualified and capable candidates that will both serve and promote the mission of the Society.
ANNE H. CHAPPELLE
Elected to represent the Specialty Sections,
An internship in an industrial toxicology laboratory was the “lightbulb” moment for Anne H. Chappelle, PhD, DABT, who has been elected to represent the Specialty Sections, to realize that toxicology was her perfect blend of protecting both human health and the environment. Dr. Chappelle went on to earn a PhD in pharmacology and toxicology at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (now St. Joseph’s University), focusing on upper respiratory tract/nasal toxicity.
Over the last 25 years, while the chemical dossiers may have changed along with her employer, Dr. Chappelle’s role has not: provide expert chemical evaluations incorporating transparent and rigorous scientific principles, develop data to support their safe use, and tailor communications for the appropriate audience (consumer, regulator, business leader, worker, etc.). Dr. Chappelle has recently transferred this experience to the pharmaceutical industry as a Senior Managing Toxicologist for the SafeBridge Regulatory and Life Sciences Group.
Dr. Chappelle continues to be passionate about connections and science communication. This is achieved through developing and sustaining strong and influential relationships with peers, mentors/mentees, and scientists from all disciplines, and co-hosting the SOT interview podcast Adverse Reactions.
Dr. Chappelle has served on SOT Council and as Treasurer for the SOT Mid-Atlantic Regional Chapter and Councilor for the SOT Occupational and Public Health Specialty Section.
Goals for SOT
When I was nominated in 2016 for SOT Council, I was both honored and (frankly) shocked. SOT is my favorite meeting because of the opportunity to learn and network with other scientists, but my name wasn’t on many Committee rosters, posters, workshops, or scientific publications. The fact that they nominated me meant that the Committee was willing to look deeper into the membership to identify persons for elected offices and Committees that may not be “obvious.” If elected, I commit to identifying candidates from across our membership that represent diversity in gender, ethnicity, career stage, and expertise. These additional perspectives serve to strengthen and serve this diverse Society.
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