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Much of the work carried out by DTT is in support of the National Toxicology Program (NTP), an interagency partnership of the Food and Drug Administration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and NIEHS.

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Systems Toxicology Branch

Dori Germolec, Ph.D.
Dori Germolec, Ph.D.
Acting Chief, Systems Toxicology Branch
Tel 984-287-3134
[email protected]
P.O. Box 12233
Mail Drop K2-15
Durham, NC 27709

Research Summary

Dori Germolec, Ph.D., is a biologist who joined National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in 1985. She specializes in the effects of chemicals on the immune system, establishing scientific confidence in alternative methods to evaluate immunotoxicity, and the potential health effects of indoor exposures to mold.

Germolec designs research and/or testing protocols to characterize the biologic, toxicologic and/or physiologic effects of chemicals and/or agents on the immune systems. Germolec serve as a project leader for the toxicologic and carcinogenic assessments of agents of interest to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) as well as a subject matter expert in multidisciplinary review teams comprised of in-house and external scientists evaluating studies on selected chemicals. Germolec also serves as a resource for regulatory and research agencies, and the public who are looking for information on the toxicity of chemicals and how they affect function and burden of disease.

Major Areas of Research

  • Immunotoxicology Testing Program - Develops and establishes methods with predictive value to evaluate potentially immunotoxic chemicals and drugs; examines selected agents for immunotoxicity in adult and developing animals employing a suite of well-established tests to identify specific targets and effects; and conducts mechanistic studies to define the cellular and molecular events associated with immunotoxicity
  • Increase the scientific confidence in and use of alternative methods to assess immune modulation and hypersensitivity
  • Initiate and develop research projects or programs to investigate the mechanisms underlying the targeted toxicity of chemicals

Current Projects

  • Toxicology and Carcinogenicity assessments of:
    • Herbal products/Dietary supplements
    • Mold
  • Immunotoxicology Evaluation of:
    • Bisphenols
    • Flame Retardants
    • Herbal products/Dietary supplements
    • Perfluoroalkyl substances
    • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Germolec’s scientific investigations have resulted in over 100 publications in various areas of toxicology, resulting in the receipt of an NIH Merit Award and The Society of Toxicology (SOT) Best Publication Award in 1995. In 2004, she received the Outstanding Young Investigator Award from the Immunotoxicology Specialty Section of the SOT and in 2017 was awarded the Vos Award for Career Achievement in Immunotoxicology. Germolec has been an active participant in the SOT, serving on multiple committees and as an SOT Councilor in 2011 – 2013. She also served as president of the Immunotoxicology Specialty Section. Germolec also plays a key role in fostering an atmosphere of professional excellence and scientific endeavor among scientists at NIEHS. She has served as a member of the NIEHS Assembly of Scientists (AOS) Council since 2000, most recently as the AoS president in 2011.

Germolec received an M.A. in physical anthropology from Duke University in 1983 and a Ph.D. in toxicology from North Carolina State University in 1995.

Selected Publications

  1. Herzler M, Abedini J, Allen DG, Germolec D, Gordon J, Ko HS, Matheson J, Reinke E, Strickland J, Thierse HJ, To K, Truax J, Vanselow JT, Kleinstreuer N. 2024. Use of human predictive patch test (HPPT) data for the classification of skin sensitization hazard and potency. Arch Toxicol 98(5):1253-1269. [Abstract]
  2. Blackwood CB, Croston TL, Barnes MA, Lemons AR, Rush RE, Goldsmith T, McKinney WG, Anderson S, Weaver KL, Sulyok M, Park JH, Germolec D, Beezhold DH, Green B. 2023. Optimization of Aspergillus versicolor Culture and Aerosolization in a Murine Model of Inhalational Fungal Exposure. J Fungi (Basel) 9(11):1090. [Abstract]
  3. Frawley R, Johnson VJ, Burleson GR, Shockley KR, Cesta MF, Travlos G, Cora M, Roberts G, Germolec D. 2023. Evaluation of immunotoxicity of sodium metavanadate following drinking water exposure in female B6C3F1/N mice in a 28-day study. J Appl Toxicol 43(11):1686-1701. [Abstract]
  4. Johnson VJ, Rider CV, Luster MI, Brix A, Burleson GR, Cora M, Elmore SA, Frawley RP, Lopez FR, Mutlu E, Shockley KR, Pierfelice J, Burback B, Co CA, Germolec DR. 2023. Immunotoxicity of N-butylbenzenesulfonamide: impacts on immune function in adult mice and developmentally exposed rats. Toxicol Sci 196(1):71-84. [Abstract]
  5. Strickland J, Allen DG, Germolec D, Kleinstreuer N, Johnson VJ, Gulledge T, Truax J, Lowit A, Dole T, McMahon T, Panger M, Facey J, Savage S. 2022. Application of Defined Approaches to Assess Skin Sensitization Potency of Isothiazolinone Compounds. Appl In Vitro Toxicol 8(4):117-128. [Abstract]
  6. Germolec DR, Lebrec H, Anderson SE, Burleson GR, Cardenas A, Corsini E, Elmore SE, Kaplan BLF, Lawrence BP, Lehmann GM, Maier CC, McHale CM, Myers LP, Pallardy M, Rooney AA, Zeise L, Zhang L, Smith MT. 2022. Consensus on the Key Characteristics of Immunotoxic Agents as a Basis for Hazard Identification. Environ Health Perspect 130(10):105001. [Abstract]

See All Publications from PubMed