SOT is pleased to showcase the three newly elected members of the Membership Committee: Kimberly C. Hodge-Bell, PhD, DABT; J. Eric McDuffie, PhD; and Kathryn E. Page, PhD, DABT. The Membership Committee is charged with examining the qualifications of the candidates for membership at least four times per year and shall report its recommendations to the Executive Director.
Kimberly C. Hodge-Bell
Dr. Hodge-Bell is a scientific strategic leader with a career focused on risk assessment and risk-based defense. She provides toxicology support regarding scientific human health risk assessment principles for new and existing products to enable successful product registration and commercialization globally.
Dr. Hodge-Bell is a leader within the civic and scientific community and advocates for everyone, especially scientists, women, and underrepresented communities, supporting their leadership and STEAM opportunities.
In addition to her outreach efforts, Dr. Hodge-Bell is a passionate communicator and often shares personal, educational, and career advice about how to “Elevate Your Brand,” “Jump Career Hurdles,” “The Power of Connection & Collaboration,” and “Diversity of Thought” (mindset changes start at the lowest level of humanity).
A native of the Bronx, New York, Dr. Hodge-Bell is a graduate of Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, (BS in biology), earned a doctorate in biomedical science with a concentration in pharmacology and toxicology) from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, and completed her postdoctoral training at the University of California Los Angeles. During her free time, she enjoys photography, reading, and spending quality time with her family.
Dr. Hodge-Bell has been an active SOT member for more than 20 years, having joined in 2001, and is passionate about scientific and community outreach. As a result, she serves on several elected and appointed boards, advancing science and inclusivity. For SOT Dr. Hodge-Bell has served as Chair of the SOT Committee on Diversity Initiatives and SOT Education and Career Development Committee and President of the SOT Toxicologists of African Origin Special Interest Group.
Goals for SOT
SOT excels at sharing cutting-edge innovation and science. However, one goal that I would like is to ensure we maintain our mission to engage a diverse global community. Diversity is crucial to maintain a strong organization, including allowing opportunities to share new ideas and new ways to work. There also should be a strategic effort to recruit diverse talent to leadership positions within the Society. Another goal I would like to present is to refocus membership efforts. With so many society-like options, I would like to see us reduce duplication and collaborate/align internally and with other organizations to enhance the membership experience.
J. Eric McDuffie
Dr. McDuffie has more than 20 years of experience as a preclinical toxicologist in the pharmaceutical industry. In his current role as Director of Investigative Toxicology at Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. in San Diego, California, he leads a dedicated team that supports neuroscience drug discovery and development programs.
Dr. McDuffie joined Neurocrine in 2021 after a 14-year tenure at Janssen Research & Development. At Janssen, he served as Senior Scientist and later as Director of Mechanistic & Investigative Toxicology. Previously, he had a seven-year tenure at Pfizer Inc., where he contributed to different functional groups as Senior Scientist/Manager for the Laboratory Core Group; the Investigative Pathology Group; and the Immunotoxicology Group.
Dr. McDuffie has co-authored more than 30 peer-reviewed manuscripts and delivered numerous platform presentations. Notably, he served as a co-editor for the benchmark book Drug Discovery Toxicology: From Target Assessment to Translational Biomarkers (2016).
Since joining SOT in 2008, Dr. McDuffie has served as President of the SOT Southern California Regional Chapter and on the SOT Awards Committee.
Goals for SOT
I believe that my prior engagements have provided me with unique tools to be up-to-the task of providing advice and relevant counsel on membership recruitment and retention. I will help to collaboratively recruit (new) and retain (existing) members. I will utilize the same inspirations that led me to join SOT in 2008: existing member experiences as well as the potential benefits as a Society member and participant in its committees/groups. My proposals would include, but not be limited to, focusing on potential new members, starting at the undergraduate/graduate level. The aim would be to foster the growing pool of budding toxicologists that are eager to develop their network and to learn more about how to positively impact SOT once they become a member. My second focus would be on retention of the existing members as well as recruitment of toxicological science professionals from across the globe, especially those among underrepresented groups.
Kathryn E. Page
Dr. Page is a Product Safety and Regulatory Toxicologist for The Clorox Company, where she leads in vitro and alternatives to animal testing efforts and conducts hazard and risk assessments for the vast Clorox cleaning product portfolio globally.
Dr. Page is a Board Certified Toxicologist in the US and Europe. She received her doctorate in toxicology from the University of Manchester and was a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California Berkeley.
Dr. Page is an advocate for mentoring and student outreach, actively participating in programs, both through SOT and Clorox. She joined SOT in 2010 and has served as Chair of the SOT Education and Career Development Committee, President of the SOT Northern California Regional Chapter, President of the SOT In Vitro and Alternative Methods Special Section, and Vice Chair of the SOT Postdoctoral Assembly.
Goals for SOT
My SOT goals are to contribute to strong continued SOT membership from early career and onwards, with enhanced diversity and support for members. I believe this will allow for enhanced longevity of SOT where all members can thrive.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is based on the biosketches provided by electees for use as part of the election ballot. These citations are being shared under the Secretary’s name as part of their official duties and should not be interpreted as their personal or professional opinions.
#Member
#Communique:SOTNews