The SOT Public Communications Award is presented to recognize an individual who has made a major contribution to broadening the general public’s awareness of toxicological issues, including public understanding of the role and importance of experimental animals in toxicological science, through any aspect of public communications, over a significant period of time.
Barbara L. F. Kaplan, PhD, is recognized with the 2024 SOT Public Communications Award for her prodigious contributions to the public’s knowledge of toxicology and broad efforts to help train and educate individuals in communication skills that are valuable in translating their research to other scientists and the general public.
Dr. Kaplan received her doctorate in pharmacology and toxicology from Michigan State University in 2001. After completing a postdoc at the University of Chicago, in 2004, she became a Research Assistant Professor at the Michigan State University Center for Integrative Toxicology. Since 2013, she has been an Assistant and Associate Professor (with tenure) at Mississippi State University. Throughout her academic career, Dr. Kaplan has been a constant mentor for students in developing specialized scientific communication skills for oral presentations and for helping developing scientists strengthen their ability to communicate their research.
Dr. Kaplan’s expertise in immunotoxicology and cannabinoids parlays well for communicating about toxicological topics of interest to the general public. She has contributed extensively to general and scientific media outlets about toxicological topics of interest in an engaging and understandable format, informing public understanding of toxicological issues in commonly encountered products.
Mentoring and developing fellow scientists’ public communications skills has been an animating passion of Dr. Kaplan and is recognized by this award. Dr. Kaplan has been a speaker and organizer of many workshops and continuing education courses that highlight the critical role that science communication has in broadening the general public’s understanding of toxicology and help improve toxicologists’ skills in communicating their diverse scientific expertise with a wide range of audiences.
Dr. Kaplan joined SOT in 1997 and has been an active member of the Immunotoxicology Specialty Section and South Central Regional Chapter. In addition to her role as an SOT Councilor (2018–2021), she has been a member of the Career Resource and Development Committee and the Education Committee and is currently an SOT representative to the Scientific Liaison Coalition.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog about the awardee(s) is based on the nomination materials provided. This citation is being shared under the Award Committee Chair’s name as part of their official duties and should not be interpreted as their personal or professional opinions.