Toxicologist

IRENE M. WOHLMAN

Email: *******@*****.***

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Toxicology

Joint Graduate Program in Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, N.J. (May 2016)

Dissertation: Chemical-Induced Alterations in the Endocannabinoid System in Mouse Skin.

B.S. Biochemistry

Douglass College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J. (May 2005)

A.A. Chemistry with Honors

Bergen Community College, Paramus, NJ. Dean’s List 2000-2002. (May 2002)

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Ph.D. Candidate/Graduate Researcher

Rutgers Department of Pharmacy and Toxicology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, N.J. (09/08-05/16)

Perform research to determine the role of endogenous cannabinoids and fatty acid amide hydrolase in vesicant-induced skin injury.

Analysis of tissue from SHK1-Hr and CD-1 mouse models to characterize toxicological effects of vesicant exposure on the endocannabinoid system in skin and dermal appendages.

Collaborate with medicinal chemistry group to develop fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors and assay for anti-inflammatory activity.

Screen library of candidate compounds in vitro and utilize structure-activity relationships to identify potent FAAH inhibitors.

Assay candidate inhibitors in epidermal and glial cells for FAAH inhibitory activity and toxic effects.

Oversee implementation of Public Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in the Laboratories Rule (the Laboratory Standard), the NJ Worker and Community Right-To-Know (NJ RTK) Act.

Senior Laboratory Technician

University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ, New Brunswick, N.J. (06/06-07/08)

Conducted biochemical and molecular biology experiments to characterize the effects of genetic deletion of Nm23/Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase A and B on hematopoiesis in the mouse.

Streamlined existing PCR protocol to improve efficiency and lower costs.

Bred and maintained transgenic mouse colonies.

Maintained bacterial and mouse tissue cultures.

Responsible for administrative duties, including:

Maintaining radioactivity usage logs and performing wipe tests.

Ordering and purchasing lab supplies, and maintaining equipment according to safety standards.

Shipping biological materials for domestic and international use.

Coordinating schedule of experiments with Vivarium, Flow Cytometry, and Animal Testing facilities.

Supervision of laboratory research assistant.

Laboratory Technician

Colgate Palmolive Technology Center, Piscataway, N.J. (09/05-04/06)

Responsible for media, diluents, and solutions.

Tested raw materials and finished goods for contamination.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Adjunct Lecturer

New York Medical College, School of Health Sciences and Practice, Valhalla, N.Y. (02/12-present)

P/T Instructor for On-Line Graduate Courses:

Designed content and curriculum for Principles of Food Safety course; course instructor.

Course instructor: Environmental Influences on Human Health, Environmental Governance, Management and Policy, Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Health Capstone.

Teaching Assistant

Rutgers Department of Pharmacy and Toxicology, Rutgers University Piscataway, N.J. (09/08-05/15)

Courses: Biochemical Toxicology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and General Toxicology.

Proctor exams, timely review and grading of exams, statistical analysis of grades, organize and facilitate lectures.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Biochemistry: Enzyme assays, protein purification, western blot

Molecular Biology: PCR, RT-PCR, DNA and RNA extraction, purification, agarose gel electrophoresis

In vitro Models: BV2 microglia, mouse embryonic fibroblasts, RAW 264.7 macrophages, PAM212 keratinocytes, HaCaT keratinocytes, A549 lung adenocarcinoma; E. coli

In vivo models: Mouse, SHK1-Hr, CD-1, C57BL/6

Spectroscopy: Fluorescence, UV/Visible

Immunohistochemistry

ACADEMIC AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Award for Maintaining 4.0 GPA in Chemistry Major (2001) Department of Chemistry, Bergen Community College, Paramus, NJ.

Award for Maintaining 4.0 GPA (2001) Bergen Community College, Paramus, NJ.

Honors Organic Chemistry Research (2001) Department of Chemistry, Bergen Community College, Paramus, N.J.

Phi Theta Kappa, National Honor Society for Two-Year College Students (2000).

PUBLICATIONS

Lacey CJ, Wohlman I, Guillon C, Saxena J, Fianu-Velgus C, Aponte E, Young SC, Heck DE, Joseph LB, Laskin JD, Heindel ND. (2016). Multi-Inhibitor prodrug constructs for simultaneous delivery of anti-inflammatory agents to mustard-induced skin injury. Ann NY Acad Sci, Aug 9. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13177.

Wohlman IM, Composto GM, Heck DE, Heindel ND, Lacey CJ, Guillon CD, Casillas RP, Croutch CR, Gerecke DR, Laskin DL, Joseph LB, Laskin JD. (2016). Mustard vesicants alter expression of the endocannabinoid system in mouse skin. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol, Apr 26;303:30-44.

Postel EH, Wohlman I, Zou X, Juan T, Sun N, D’Agostin D, Cuellar M, Choi T, Notterman DA, La Perle K. (2009). Targeted Deletion of Nm23/Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase A and B Reveals Their Requirement for Definitive Erythropoiesis in the Mouse Embryo. Developmental Dynamics, 238:775–787.

ABSTRACTS

Abhilash NP, Lacey CJ, Fianu Velgus CA, Young SC, Fabio KM, Guillon CD, Heindel ND, Laskin JD, Heck DE, Wohlman I, Huang M-T, Vetrano A. Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity in a lipophilic vanilloid amide platform. Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting, American Chemical Society. University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 2010.

Lacey CJ, Heindel ND, Fianu-Velgus CA, Laskin JD, Huang MT, Vetrano A, Wohlman I, Heck DE, Aponte E. Local therapeutics for mustard-induced vesication. Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting, American Chemical Society. University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 2011.

Wohlman I, Heck DE, Heindel ND, Huang MT, Gerecke DR, Sinko PJ, Lacey CJ, Laskin DL, Laskin JD. Role of endogenous cannabinoids in vesicant-induced skin injury. The Toxicologist, 120(2): 2028; 2011.

Wohlman I, Jan YH, Heck DE, Casillas RP, Laskin DL, Laskin JD. Thioredoxin Reductase Mediates Nitrogen Mustard-Induced Activation of NF-κB/Stat3 Signaling in Lung Epithelial Cells. The Toxicologist, 126(1): 1341; 2012.

Jan Y, Wohlman I, Heck DE, Casillas RP, Laskin DL, Laskin JD. Identification of Thioredoxin As a Molecular Target for Sulfur Mustard Analog Vesicants. The Toxicologist, 132(1): 337; 2013.

Wohlman I, Jan YH, Heck DE, Casillas RP, Laskin DL, Laskin JD. Differential Inhibition of Cytoplasmic and Mitochondrial Thioredoxin and Thioredoxin Reductase by Nitrogen Mustard in A549 Lung Epithelial Cells. The Toxicologist, 132(1): 358; 2013.

Heck DE, Wohlman IM, Composto GM, Heindel ND, Casillas RP, Gerecke DR, Laskin DL, Joseph LB, Laskin, JD. Increased Expression of the Endocannabinoid System in Mouse Skin Following Exposure to Sulfur Mustard and Nitrogen Mustard (Mechlorethamine). The FASEB Journal, 30(1)S:1195.3; 2016.

PRESENTATIONS

Wohlman I, Joseph LB, Laskin JD, Gerecke D. The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Vesicant-induced Skin Injury. Oral presentation at the 9th Annual Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Research Symposium, New York, NY, June 15, 2015.

AFFILIATIONS

Mid-Atlantic Regional Chapter of the Society of Toxicology (2011-present)

Society of Toxicology, Drug Discovery Toxicology Section (2011-present)

Rutgers Association of Toxicology Students (2008-present) - Vice-President and Treasurer (2011-2012)

Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey (2010-present)

American Chemical Society (2015-present)

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