Description: Why is the transition to predictive toxicology so resistant to implementation? Despite the integration of computational modeling, AI, and omics, these methodologies almost inevitably end up as add ons to, rather than replacements for, in vivo standards. This talk will examine the structural definition of “replacement” and outlines the necessary criteria to shift reliance from observational apical endpoints to robust, mechanism-based safety assessments.
About the speaker: Dr. Auerbach is the Toxicoinformatics Group Leader in the Predictive Toxicology Branch of the Division of Translational Toxicology (DTT). His research focuses on evolution of toxicological testing methods through the integration of molecular and high dimensional data with traditional approaches to toxicological assessment. The goal of these efforts is to nurture trust and understanding of new data streams and to increase efficiency in toxicology testing. Since joining the DTT he has led numerous traditional and new approach methods-based assessments and technology development projects. These include application of machine learning to carcinogenicity and toxicity prediction from toxicogenomic data, the National Toxicology Program’s rapid response to the Elk River Chemical Spill, the development of the BMDExpress software and leadership of the in vivo genomic dose response analysis and reporting group. For his leadership in chemical risk assessment, he was awarded the 2024 Arnold J Lehman Award from the Society of Toxicology.
Dr Auerbach received a dual BS from The Pennsylvania State University in Physiology and Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Washington. In his post doc he trained in human genetics and toxicology after which he became a staff scientist at the Division of Translational Toxicology (DTT) and a Diplomat of the American Board of Toxicology. Dr. Auerbach has over 100 peer-reviewed publications/technical reports and numerous book chapters and has been a member of the Society of Toxicology since 2007. He has served on numerous work groups with the HESI and ECETOC and is currently the public chair of HESI eSTAR group.
Field Auditorium, Room 1112, Grainger Hall (9 Circuit Drive, Durham, NC)
This seminar will also be presented live via Panopto. Click HERE for the livestream.