Mary L. Hixon, Ph.D.
Senior Toxicologist
she/her
Dr. Hixon is experienced in reproductive and developmental toxicology. Her primary responsibilities include environmental and chemical toxicology data analysis and specific environmental chemical exposure evaluation to assess potential human health risks. Before coming to Gradient, Dr. Hixon was an assistant professor at Brown University, where she researched the reproductive health effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the male and female reproductive systems. Utilizing mouse models and toxicogenomic approaches, her research involved elucidating the signaling networks activated and gene expression signatures elicited by endocrine-disrupting chemicals. She has authored original research articles, review articles, and book chapters on a wide variety of topics, including reproductive biology and toxicology.
Personal Care Product Company: Managed and provided technical expertise in the evaluation of whether exposure to cosmetic talc and/or its constituents was associated with increased risks of mesothelioma. Analyzed plaintiff medical and personal histories to assess their alleged exposures to asbestos in both occupational and non-occupational settings.
Cleaning Products Manufacturer: Managed and provided epidemiology and toxicology expertise on a category of chemicals used in cleaning supplies and possible health effects from exposure to these chemicals. Provided updates and a final report summarizing our findings and conclusions to the company.
Medical Device Toxicological Risk Assessment: As part of a submission to FDA, managed and evaluated the toxicological hazard potential associated with leachable substances from a medical device. Compiled toxicological profiles for leachable constituents (e.g., semi-volatile, volatile, and organic compounds and metals) from the device and determined the margin of safety for each under the conditions of product use.
Alternatives Assessment: Provided toxicology expertise on the analysis of several alternative flame retardant chemicals to replace the currently used ozone-depleting agent, Halon. Compiled health and environmental data to characterize hazards for each of the chemical alternatives. Performed an alternatives assessment to identify preferable alternatives for use in future aircraft fire prevention systems to support the selection of an environmentally preferable alternative compound for commercial aircraft.
Industrial Hygiene: Managed and provided technical expertise in the evaluation of the degree of hazard to workers applying chemicals used in the coatings of optical fibers focusing, in particular, on dimethylacrylamide. Conducted a toxicity review of each constituent in the coating as listed on suppliers’ safety data sheets. Evaluated whether under the conditions of use, additional safety measures were necessary to reduce exposure.
Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology: Provided technical expertise in rapid reviews of the toxicology literature to determine whether chemicals of concern were developmental and reproductive toxicology (DART) agents. Estimated worker doses and overall hazard indices.
Hixon, ML. 2019. “Teratogenesis.” In Toxicology Principles for the Industrial Hygienist (Second Edition).
(Eds.: Luttrell, WE; Still, KR; Church, JA; and Beyer, LA), American Industrial Hygiene Association, Falls Church, VA, p202-210.
Goodman, JE; Peterson, MK; Hixon, ML; Pacheco Shubin, S. 2018. “Derivation of a Maximum Allowable Dose Level for Bisphenol A.” Presented at the Society of Toxicology (SOT) 57th Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, March 11-15.
Beyer, LA; Hixon, ML. 2018. “Review of animal studies on the cardiovascular effects of caffeine.” Food Chem. Toxicol. 118:566-571.
Goodman, JE; Peterson, MK; Hixon, ML; Pacheco Shubin, S. 2017. “Derivation of an oral maximum allowable dose level for bisphenol A.” Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 86:312-318.
Hixon, ML. 2015. “Toxic effects on reproduction.” In Principles of Toxicology: Environmental and Industrial Applications (Third Edition). (Eds.: Roberts, SM; James, RC; Williams, PL), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, p211-221.
Moyer, B; Hixon, ML. 2012. “Reproductive effects in F1 adult females exposed in utero to moderate to high doses of mono-2-ethylhexylphthalate (MEHP).” Reprod. Toxicol. 34:43-50.