John P. Wise Sr., PhD, is one of the two recipients of the 2016 SOT Education Award. Dr. Wise has made significant contributions to toxicology and distinguished himself for having taught and trained the next generation of toxicologists at a variety of educational levels. Not only does he teach high school students and their teachers, he also has taught undergraduate students, graduate students, and junior faculty members, all while participating in K-12 outreach as well as lifelong learning programs attended by older students. Under his mentorship and guidance, Dr. Wise has trained more than 200 students including 87 undergraduates and countless more in the classroom setting. The other recipient is Kenneth R. Ruehl.
SOT 2016 Education Award Recipient John P. Wise Sr.
He is highly regarded for his international efforts to bring his science both to toxicologists in America and to developing portions of the world. In his lab, he has taught many scientists from all over the globe, with sensitivity to language barriers and differences between societies and cultures. Dr. Wise also is touted with creating an atmosphere that is warm, encouraging, and uplifting. Outside the lab, he volunteers to bring toxicology to the developing world directly. In collaboration with Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust, he has led volunteer efforts creating laboratory space to engage students in Vieques, Puerto Rico, which is a small island with no previous toxicology research facilities.
With his approach to educating the whole student, Dr. Wise spends one-on-one time with each student mentoring them to ensure they are on the correct path for them. He has a strong desire to ensure all his students achieve career and laboratory success regardless of their technical level. Furthermore, his goal is to have each student experience the wonder of scientific discovery, understand the scientific method, and tell the story of their findings to the world. He hopes to ensure each student leaves secure in his or her new skill set and with the ability to confidently present research to the public.
Dr. Wise received his PhD in Pharmacology from The George Washington University in Washington, DC in 1990. Currently, he serves as Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology and University Scholar at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. A member of the Society since 1999, he has been very active with the SOT Education Committee’s K-12 Subcommittee and Finance Committee. He also has served as Secretary/Treasurer for both the Metals and the Carcinogenesis Specialty Sections and as President of the Metals Specialty Section and the Northeast Regional Chapter.