Nicole S. Olgun, Ph.D.
Senior Toxicologist
Dr. Olgun is a senior toxicologist with specialties in human health risk assessment, nonclinical safety evaluations of medical devices, and developmental and reproductive toxicology. Prior to joining Gradient, Dr. Olgun worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with a focus on occupational health and safety. She also played an integral role in the federal government’s emergency preparedness response to both Zika virus and COVID-19. Dr. Olgun teaches toxicology at St. John’s University, and is a member of the CDC’s Cancer, Reproductive, Cardiovascular, and Other Chronic Disease Prevention Council.
Occupational Exposure Analysis: Provided technical support for toxic tort litigation cases involving potential exposures to asbestos in electrical products. Evaluated individual occupational exposure(s), medical records, and relevant toxicology and epidemiology studies.
Toxicological Risk Assessment: Reviewed material for a case involving methamphetamine contamination of a residential property. Conducted research on the potential health effects of methamphetamine exposure, the scientific basis for the state’s current methamphetamine decontamination standard, and methamphetamine residue and exceeded standard levels.
Product Safety Evaluation: Assisted the client in establishing a product safety evaluation plan for various consumer exercise products. Identified chemical health hazards and focused on preventing adverse health effects associated with skin contact. This analysis helped the client to decide whether to move forward with the release of new products.
Exposure Analysis: Provided consulting expert services with respect to compiling and evaluating studies of paraquat exposure and risk of Parkinson’s disease. Conducted literature searches and compiled study tables of animal toxicology.
Toxicological Risk Assessment: Conducted toxicological risk assessments for compounds identified in extracts from a humidification system used during respiratory administration in accordance with ISO 10993-17, ICH M7, and US FDA guidance. Helped to identify toxicological data for relevant endpoints and used these data to derive chemical- and device-specific safety margins.
Lewandowski, TA; Olgun, NS. 2024. “Exposure to Methamphetamine from Residential Thirdhand Exposure: Is There a Risk?” Abstract/Poster #: RC892TG. Presented at the Twelfth Congress of Toxicology in Developing Countries (CTDC), Santiago, Chile, April 15-18.
Olgun, NS; Hixon, ML; Dodge, DG; Lewandowski, TA. 2024. “Protecting against adverse reproductive and gestational outcomes from workplace exposures: Screening assessments for developmental and reproductive toxicity.” Toxicologist 198(S1):294. Abstract 3616. Presented at the Society of Toxicology (SOT) 63rd Annual Meeting and ToxExpo, Salt Lake City, UT, March 10-14.
Prueitt, RL; Hixon, ML; Fan, T; Olgun, NS; Piatos, P; Zhou, J; Goodman, JE. 2023. “Systematic review of the potential carcinogenicity of bisphenol A in humans.” Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 142:105414. doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105414.
Stueckle, T; Olgun, N; Shockey, T; McKernan, L. 2021. “NIOSH Chronic Disease Prevention Program: Expanding Partnerships to Prevent Occupational Disease.” Presented at the American Psychological Association Work, Stress, & Health Conference, Virtual, November 3-6.
Olgun, NS; Morris, AM; Stefaniak, AB; Bowers, LN; Knepp, AK; Duling, MG; Mercer, RR; Kashon, ML; Fedan, JS; Leonard, SS. 2020. “Biological effects of inhaled hydraulic fracturing sand dust. III. Cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory responses in cultured murine macrophage cells.” Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 408:115281. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115281.