Biographical Information on the Current Sigma Xi Officers

Thomas F. X. Collins, Ph.D., is a long-time FDA employee currently Chief of the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology Branch, in the Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, in CFSAN. He received his Ph.D. from Catholic University in cellular physiology. He has been a member of Sigma Xi for many years and has served as treasurer of the FDA Chapter since 1993. He is a 25-year member of the Society of Toxicology and a long-time member of the Teratology Society. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences and a member of the American College of Toxicology. Dr. Collins is interested in mechanisms that foster peoples' interest in science and provides equal recognition for outstanding science as provided to other activities.

Dr. Jeffrey Yourick is in the Office of Cosmetics and Colors in the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Dr. Yourick received his undergraduate degree in biology from Kalamazoo College, a master's degree in biological sciences from Western Michigan University and his PhD in pharmacology and toxicology from the University of Kansas. Dr. Yourick was a research pharmacologist at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD) before joining the FDA in 1993. He was inducted into Sigma Xi from the USAMRICD in 1989. Dr. Yourick's research interests pertain to skin absorption and metabolism. He is also responsible for the safety assessment of cosmetic ingredients and color additives. He is a member of the Society of Toxicology, Association of Government Toxicologists, Sigma Xi and AAAS. Dr. Yourick is a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology. It is troubling that science curriculums in schools lack proper emphasis and are inconsistent across our area. If elected as Science Fair Coordinator, he would like to foster the mentoring of young "scientists" so they develop a lifelong appreciation for science. Sigma Xi can and should play a significant role is this process. This is an outreach program that our membership should strongly support.

Dr. Shackelford is a toxicology reviewer in the Division of Food Contact Substance Notification Review, Office of Food Additive Safety in the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. After a two year post-doctoral training at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Dr. Shackelford joined the FDA in 1987 as a research biologist in the field of mammalian reproduction and teratology. Dr. Shackelford received her undergraduate degree in biology from Illinois Benedictine College and a PhD in biology from the University of Illinois. Dr. Shackelford's current interest in science include reproductive and developmental toxicity, carcinogenicity, and regulatory science. Dr. Shackelford is Treasurer for the Association of Government Toxicologists and is a member of the Teratology Society and American College of Toxicology. Dr. Shackelford has been a member of Sigma Xi since 1989 and is currently interested in the endeavors of FDA Sigma Xi to mentor young people's interest in science.

Dr. Wiesenfeld is a research biologist in Division of In Vitro Biochemical Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment in the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Dr. Wiesenfeld received her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Texas Womans University and her PhD in biochemistry from George Washington University. She was inducted into Sigma Xi from GWU in 1988. Dr. Wiesenfeld received her postdoctoral training at the Human Nutrition Center, Agricultural Research Service in Beltsville, MD before joining FDA as a staff fellow in 1991. Dr. Wiesenfeld's research interests include lipid metabolism, obesity and heart disease and more recently in hepatotoxicity. Dr. Wiesenfeld is a member of the American Society for Nutritional Sciences, and was President of the DC area Chapter of Graduate Women in Science. She is also active in FDA Sigma Xi endeavors that support development and mentoring of young people's interest in science. If elected President of FDA Sigma Xi, she would like to enhance activities that integrate more representation from all the Centers. One way to ensure that Sigma Xi addresses your interests and needs is to participate as Center liaison or serve on one of our committees. To view our web site go to http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/sxfda.html