Fall 2020 Seminar Series (ENV 847-S/PHARM 847-S)
Duke Integrated Toxicology & Environmental Health Program
Friday, October 2, 2020, 12:00 – 1:15 pm
*Live Zoom Presentation. Register HERE to receive Zoom link!*
TIMOTHY SHAFER, PhD
Research Toxicologist
Rapid Assay Development Branch
Biomolecular and Computational Toxicology Division
Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure
US Environmental Protection Agency
Evaluating neurotoxicity hazard using human and rodent neural networks
Microelectrode array (MEA) recordings have been proposed as a way to screen compounds for neurotoxicity and developmental neurotoxicity. To date, most data have been generated in rodent cultures. However, recently, networks of human IPs-derived neurons are becoming increasingly available, and are being used for neurotoxicity screening. This presentation will provide an overview of the use of MEAs for neurotoxicity and developmental neurotoxicity screening, and compare data from rodent and human derived networks.
BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Timothy J. Shafer is a Research Toxicologist, a Principal Investigator in the Biomolecular and Computational Toxicology Division in the Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure in the Office of Research and Development at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. After earning his PhD from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Michigan State University, Dr. Shafer’s research career has focused on examining mechanisms of neurotoxicant effects mediated through disruption of ion channels and cellular neurophysiology. This has included examination of the actions of heavy metals, PCBs, herbicides and pesticides on neuronal function using a variety of approaches including patch-clamp recordings, oocyte recordings and imaging experiments using ion- or voltage-sensitive dyes. Currently, Dr. Shafer’s work is directed towards development of new alternative methods for assessment of neurotoxicity and developmental neurotoxicity hazards of chemicals. Dr Shafer has published over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and reports; has received 8 Scientific and Technological Achievements Awards and Bronze and Gold medals for outstanding service to the Agency.
Dr. Shafer has also served as the Acting Assistant Laboratory Director for Human Health Research at the EPA and as the Acting Director of the Integrated Systems Toxicology Division. He was on the ALTOX3/NAL study section at NIH and on the Society of Toxicology Program Committee. In addition, he has served as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Society of Toxicology’s Neurotoxicology Specialty Section and is currently the president of the International Neurotoxicology Association. He currently is an Associate Editor for the journal NeuroToxicology and on the Editorial Board of Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.