Blogs

SOT is pleased to announce that Bethany R. Hannas, PhD, DABT; Kristin Noell-Harris, PhD; Reza J. Rasoulpour, PhD; and John F. Wambaugh, PhD, have been elected to serve on the 2025–2026 Awards Committee. These individuals bring significant experience and a shared commitment to scientific excellence and community service within the field of toxicology. 

Bethany R. Hannas 

Bethany R. Hannas, PhD, DABT, is a Developmental and Reproductive Toxicologist (DART) at Eli Lilly & Company. She previously worked in the chemicals sector at Dow and Corteva Agriscience for eight years, where her research spanned oligonucleotide strategies, endocrine screening assays, and reproductive development. Dr. Hannas earned her PhD in toxicology from North Carolina State University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the US EPA. She is currently Chair of the SOT Continuing Education Committee, an Associate Editor for Toxicological Sciences, and an active HESI DART Committee Chair. She also contributes as a peer reviewer and engages in mentoring within her organization and the broader scientific community. 

Goals for SOT 

My goals for SOT, as viewed from the perspective of the Awards Committee, are to highlight scientific advancements and to recognize membership excellence in leadership, education, mentorship, and effective communication of research findings. Furthermore, I am committed to recognizing and promoting the diversity within the SOT community by actively encouraging the nomination and consideration of a wide array of candidates from diverse backgrounds. 

Kristin Noell-Harris 

Kristin Noell-Harris, PhD, is an Associate Principal Scientist at Mary Kay Inc., where she serves as a Product Safety and Regulatory Toxicologist. She evaluates cosmetic ingredients and finished products for safety, manages toxicological risks, and supports claims substantiation. Previously, she worked as a Study Director at LabCorp Drug Development and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Tulane University School of Medicine. Dr. Noell-Harris has been an SOT member since 2011 and has served on the Continuing Education Committee and as a Councilor for the SOT Women in Toxicology Special Interest Group. 

Goals for SOT  

My goals for this Committee are to (1) uphold the award review process, (2) ensure a diverse slate of highly qualified candidates across various sectors who also encompass our global presence, (3) boost our current mechanism of award advertisement to attract a qualified and diversified pool of applicants, and (4) work with my fellow Committee members to review any suggestions and recommendations regarding awards for Council’s consideration. 

Reza J. Rasoulpour 

Reza J. Rasoulpour, PhD, is Vice President of Global Regulatory and Stewardship at Corteva Agriscience. He leads strategy and operations for product safety and regulatory science, supporting sustainable agricultural growth. Dr. Rasoulpour previously led predictive safety efforts and crop protection safety organizations. His scientific expertise spans in silico, in vitro, and in vivo methodologies, with over 40 peer-reviewed publications. He is also an editorial board member of Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis and a member of the NAS Board on Environmental Studies and Toxicology. He has served in leadership roles across SOT, including in the Presidential Chain of the Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Specialty Section. 

Goals for SOT  

My goals for the Award Committee for SOT include (1) ensuring an equitable and balanced selection process across sectors (academia, industry, government) and the multitude of technical disciplines in our Society, (2) recognizing the superb achievements of our colleagues in shaping our profession, (3) creating opportunities for trainees to be recognized early to jumpstart their careers, and (4) creating the environment for celebration of our profession and the positive impacts we have to society and our communities. 

John F. Wambaugh 

John F. Wambaugh, PhD, is a toxicologist at the US Environmental Protection Agency National Center for Computational Toxicology (NCCT), where he has led efforts in high-throughput toxicokinetics, toxicoinformatics, and chemical risk prioritization. Since joining the US EPA in 2008, Dr. Wambaugh has co-authored more than 110 peer-reviewed publications and has developed critical tools like the httk package. He has organized and led training workshops and courses for SOT and served as an Associate Editor for Environmental Health Perspectives and Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology.  

Goals for SOT  

I think that toxicology has been transformed by technological advances in the 21st century. I feel that we are now seeing the knowledge gained from these advances transform risk assessment to protect public health. If given an opportunity to serve on the Awards Committee, I would be especially interested in identifying those members of the Society who are either helping transform our science, translating that science into policy, or both. 

The information provided in this blog is based on the biosketch provided by Dr. Tanguay for use as part of the election ballot. This citation is being shared under the Secretary’s name as part of their official duties and should not be interpreted as their personal or professional opinions.