Spring 2026

What’s New at Gradient

Awards and Announcements

 

Steven Boomhower is now a European Registered Toxicologist (ERT).

Steven Boomhower was selected to serve on the Editorial Board of BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology.

Lindsey Borton and Medtronic scientist Kelly Coleman have won the 2026 Lush Prize for Political Advocacy award for their work on alternatives to animal-based testing.

Julie Goodman was elected to serve as Vice President of the Board of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences (ATS).

Tom Lewandowski was elected to serve on the ATS Awards Committee.

Cassandra Meakin received the Early Career Achievement Award from the SOT Medical Device and Combination Product Specialty Section at the SOT 65th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo.

Egidio Tentori is now a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of New York.

Steven Boomhower served as Chair for the Metals Poster Session at the Society of Toxicology (SOT) 65th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo.

Lindsey Borton received the Best Published Paper Award from the SOT Medical Device and Combination Product Specialty Section at the SOT 65th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo.

Rachel Chang was elected to serve a four-year term as Vice President and then President of the SOT Medical Device and Combination Product Specialty Section.

Publications

 

Goodman, JE; Boon, DN. 2026. “Interpretation of the IARC quantitative bias analysis of talc and ovarian cancer.” Glob. Epidemiol. 11:100251. doi: 10.1016/j.gloepi.2026.100251.

Upcoming Presentations

 

Society for Birth Defects Research & Prevention (BDRP) 66th Annual Meeting. June 14-17, 2026. Washington, DC.

  • “An Epidemiologic Evaluation of Inorganic Arsenic Exposure and Teratogenic Effects.” S. Boomhower.

Previously Presented

 

Society of Toxicology (SOT) 65th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo. March 22-25, 2026. San Diego, CA.

  • “Non-Animal, Risk-Based Strategies for Medical Device Biocompatibility Assessment.” Exhibitor-Hosted Session. D. Diaz-Diestra.

World of Coal Ash (WOCA) 2026. May 4-7, 2026. Lexington, KY.

  • “Re-evaluation of US EPA’s 2024 Risk Assessment of Coal Combustion Residual Management Unit (CCRMU) Fills.” A. Bittner, J. Kondziolka, A. Lewis, Q. Zhang, M. Arshadi, HD. Register Jr. (Law Office of Harold D. Register Jr.).
  • “Risk Evaluation of Small Coal Combustion Residual Management Unit (CCRMU) Fills.” J. Kondziolka, A. Bittner, Q. Zhang, M. Arshadi, B. Hensel (EPRI).
  • “Providing Perspective on Arsenic Risks in the Human Health Risk Evaluation of Coal Combustion Products (CCPs).” A. Lewis.
  • “The Importance of Evaluating Drinking Water Exposure Pathway for Assessing Risks from Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) Sites.” A. Lewis, I. Shrivastava.
  • “Understanding the 2024 Legacy Rule Risk Assessments.” I. Shrivastava, A. Lewis, J. Kondziolka, A. Bittner.
  • “Risk Evaluation of Linear Coal Combustion Residual Management Unit (CCRMU) Fills.” Q. Zhang, M. Arshadi, A. Bittner, J. Kondziolka, B. Hensel (EPRI).
  • “Corrective Action Alternative Evaluation for Surface Impoundment Remedy – Two Case Study Examples.” Q. Zhang, A. Bittner.

Respiratory Drug Delivery (RDD) 2026. May 10-14, 2026. Phoenix, AZ.

  • “Leachables Toxicological Risk Assessment: Read-Across Case Study Of Permissible Daily Exposure Limit Derivation For Butyl Oligomer (C21H40).” I. Mohar, I. Hadley.

By the Way… 

 

Humans have pumped enough groundwater out of underground reservoirs to change the tilt of the Earth’s axis.  In fact, depletion of groundwater by thirsty humans has altered the global distribution of water so much that the North Pole has shifted at a speed of more than 4 centimeters per year.

Source:  Castelvecchi, D. 2023. “Rampant groundwater pumping has changed the tilt of Earth’s axis.” Nature June 16.

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