SOT is pleased to announce that Barbara L. Kaplan, PhD, Mississippi State University, has been elected to serve as the 2026–2027 SOT Vice President–Elect.
Dr. Kaplan earned her BS in environmental toxicology from the University of California Davis and her PhD in pharmacology and toxicology from Michigan State University. After conducting postdoctoral research in tumor immunology at the University of Chicago, she returned to Michigan State University as a Research Assistant Professor. She is now a Professor in the Center for Environmental Health Sciences and Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her research focuses on the effects and mechanisms by which drugs and chemicals alter immunity, with particular emphasis on aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands and cannabinoid compounds.
Dr. Kaplan has been a member of SOT since 1997 and previously served as Councilor from 2018 to 2021. Her service to the Society has included leadership and participation across a wide range of groups and initiatives, including the Board of Publications, Education Committee, Career Resource and Development Committee, Undergraduate Consortium Task Force, Future Strategy for SOT Meetings and Continuing Education, and the SOT FDA Colloquium. She also has been active in the South Central Regional Chapter and the Immunotoxicology Specialty Section.
In addition to her Society service, Dr. Kaplan teaches immunology to veterinary students and pharmacology and toxicology to undergraduate and graduate students at Mississippi State University. She has been active in mentoring PhD students, DVM/PhD students, and undergraduate students, and she serves as Director of the NIH-funded Summer Research Experience program for veterinary students at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She also has pursued science communication training and engagement, including attending the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science Boot Camp in 2017 and chairing or co-chairing several SOT Annual Meeting sessions on science communication topics.
Dr. Kaplan is also active in the Scientific Liaison Coalition and has contributed to major toxicology reference works, including multiple editions of Casarett and Doull’s Toxicology, Patty’s Toxicology, and Comprehensive Toxicology. Through the Scientific Liaison Coalition, she has participated in working groups focused on animal use and alternative models, as well as psychedelics and cannabis.
Goals for SOT
In the ballot, Dr. Kaplan stated the following as her goals for service as Vice President–Elect:
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Engage toxicologists nationally and internationally to ensure varied perspectives are considered, new technological advances and scientific hypotheses are welcomed, and the latest toxicological discoveries are effectively disseminated worldwide.
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Encourage all members to get involved at some level, recognizing that Society engagement can take many forms and can occur regionally, nationally, and internationally.
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Maintain enthusiasm for providing training and awareness of effective science communication for all members, especially in an era of mis-, dis-, and over-information.
The information provided in this blog is based on the biosketch provided by Dr. Kaplan 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.