Blogs

SOT is pleased to announce that Linda S. Birnbaum, PhD, DABT, ATS; Laura C. Markley, PhD; Verónica Ramírez Alcántara, PhD; and Joel P. Bercu, PhD, DABT, have been elected to the 2025–2026 Nominating Committee. Representing the Past Presidents, Regional Chapters, Special Interest Groups, and Specialty Sections respectively, these four members bring a wide range of experience and deep dedication to the future leadership of SOT. 

Linda S. Birnbaum  

Dr. Birnbaum is the former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP). A board-certified toxicologist with a 40-year federal career, Dr. Birnbaum served as Director of NIEHS/NTP beginning in 2009 after spending 19 years at the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), where she led the largest division focused on environmental health research. She has received numerous prestigious awards and honors, including the North Carolina Award in Science, election to the National Academy of Medicine, and multiple honorary doctorates. Dr. Birnbaum is also an adjunct professor at several universities and continues to maintain an active scientific presence through mentorship and publication.  

Goals for SOT  

Dr. Birnbaum is committed to creating a welcoming environment by expanding the range of backgrounds and professional experiences represented in the membership, including within the workforce. 

Laura C. Markley 

Dr. Markley is a toxicologist in the Human Food Program at the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), where she reviews pre-market notifications and manages complex post-market issues. She serves on multiple US FDA scientific and regulatory teams and has over 20 years of experience in toxicology. She earned her PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Maine. Dr. Markley has served as President of the SOT National Capital Area Regional Chapter.  

Goals for SOT  

Dr. Markley will focus on identifying and nominating candidates who demonstrate strong scientific expertise and a clear dedication to supporting the Society’s mission of promoting a safer and healthier world through toxicology. She will work to ensure that the slate of nominees represents a broad range of expertise, sectors, and backgrounds, supporting the Society of Toxicology’s continued leadership in scientific advancement and public health. Her goal is to help select leaders who will propel the Society forward, expand its global impact, and inspire the next generation of toxicologists.

Verónica Ramírez Alcántara  

Dr. Alcántara is an Associate Professor at the University of South Alabama, where she leads research in drug discovery, GI inflammation, and cancer pharmacology. Her career began in Mexico, with doctoral training at UTMB-CINVESTAV and extensive postdoctoral work in the US, including positions at the University of Connecticut and the University of Cincinnati. She later joined the Drug Discovery Research Center in Alabama. Dr. Ramírez Alcántara has presented her work at national conferences and received numerous awards, including the NCI Diversity Supplement Award and R21 funding. She is currently Scientific Project Manager for the USA Health Biobank and served as the President of the SOT Hispanic Organization of Toxicologist (HOT) Special Interest Group.   

Goals for SOT  

As someone with firsthand experience navigating potential challenges, Dr. Ramírez Alcántara brings a strong appreciation for the dedication, resilience, and contributions broad communities offer. She is committed to bringing multiple perspectives and drive to support and strengthen SOT’s mission. Dr. Ramírez Alcántara will ensure broad representation across all levels of nomination—considering factors such as background and professional field—while recruiting skilled nominees for SOT Committees. She believes that SOT is an exceptional organization whose future will be strengthened by leadership that reflects a wide range of perspectives. She is dedicated to serving on the SOT Nominating Committee by supporting efforts and initiatives that engage members from varied backgrounds and experiences.

Joel P. Bercu  

Dr. Bercu is Executive Director in the Nonclinical Safety and Pathobiology group at Gilead Sciences, where he leads the Environmental and Occupational Toxicology (EOT) group. Dr. Bercu has more than 20 years of experience in public health and pharmaceutical toxicology, with expertise in impurity assessments, occupational safety, risk assessment, and environmental health. Dr. Bercu earned his MPH from the University of Texas and PhD from Indiana University. He has served SOT in a variety of leadership roles including President of the SOT Occupational and Public Health Specialty Section.  

Goals for SOT  

Dr. Bercu is dedicated to fostering the next generation of leaders in the field of toxicology. In 2023, he launched the Occupational and Public Health Endowment Fund to support promising students through travel grants and awards, encouraging engagement in the Occupational and Public Health Specialty Section. As a member of the Nominating Committee, he aims to build a well-rounded leadership team for SOT by recruiting individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and sectors—including industry, regulatory, and academia—recognizing that a broad mix of perspectives is essential to the strength and success of any organization. Dr. Bercu will work to cultivate a strong and dynamic pool of talent to help sustain and strengthen the Society’s future legacy. Lastly, he will ensure that SOT leadership includes a well-balanced group of individuals who bring both seasoned experience and innovative ideas to help the organization grow and evolve.

The information provided in this blog is based on the biosketches provided by the newly elected members for use as part of the election ballot. AI also was used in the preparation of this blog. 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.