Toxicology Is a Wise Choice: One Health, Many Ecosystems

Adverse Reactions

Studying the effects of metals in whales and alligators, among other species, can offer immense insight into human health, John P. Wise Sr. tells Adverse Reactions co-hosts Anne Chappelle and David Faulkner. Dr. Wise also discusses research on chromosome instability and how you can help people everywhere make connections to the importance of environmental health.

About the Guest
John P. Wise Sr., PhD, is head of the Wise Laboratory of Environmental and Genetic Toxicology and Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Distinguished University Scholar, and Chair of the Center for Environmental and Occupational Health in the University of Louisville School of Medicine. His formal education includes a bachelor's degree in biology with high distinction and recognition from George Mason University and a PhD in pharmacology from the George Washington University.

Dr. Wise’s postdoctoral training focused on molecular epidemiology under Curtis Harris at the National Cancer Institute, followed by experience with occupational health and risk assessment as a Senior Toxicologist at Jonathan Borak and Company. He served on the faculty of the Yale University School of Medicine and the University of Southern Maine School of Public Health before joining the faculty at the University of Louisville.

Dr. Wise’s research focuses on understanding how environmental toxicants affect health and cause cancer from a “One Environmental Health” perspective, considering cellular and molecular mechanisms in both humans and wildlife. He has earned over $14 million in extramural support and published over 130 peer-reviewed research papers. His work has been featured in numerous articles in local, national, and international press and social media sites, including short documentaries with Alexandra Cousteau and Miles O’Brien.

Dr. Wise has mentored and trained over 200 faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and students in biomedical and environmental health research. He fosters a diverse, supportive, multi-layered mentoring environment and is supported by an engaging and active team of faculty, staff, and students from a diverse array of backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. For his mentoring efforts, he was awarded the 2022 SOT Toxicologist Mentoring Award. His students have won numerous local, national, and international awards and grants and have gone onto successful careers in academia, government, industry, and nongovernmental organizations.

Dr. Wise also has earned the Metals Career Achievement Award from the SOT Metals Specialty Section and education awards from both SOT and the Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society (EMGS).

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Luvut

1. Introduction to the Episode (00:00:00)

2. Toxicology Is a Wise Family Business (00:01:13)

3. Understanding One Environmental Health (00:03:03)

4. Why Whales and Alligators? (00:04:36)

5. The Cutting-Edge of Research on Chromosome Instability (00:06:06)

6. Water-Based Research from a Landlocked State (00:09:03)

7. Helping People Connect with Environmental Health (00:10:17)

8. How Do We Improve Science Communication? (00:15:00)

9. The Next Big Thing: Aging and Toxicology (00:16:14)

10. What Was a Significant Adverse Reaction in Your Life? (00:18:46)

11. Improv Can Help Science Communication? (00:19:34)

12. Building Trust in Local Communities (00:20:48)

13. Next Time on Adverse Reactions (00:22:24)