Forensic toxicologists are often called upon to determine whether drug or alcohol intoxication was a contributing factor to a vehicle crash, workplace injury, or other fatal incident. In this article,…
Dr. Fitsanakis is a nationally recognized scientist with research, teaching and administrative experience. She has training, expertise and experience in the disciplines of toxicology, pharmacology, neuroscience, neuroanatomy and pathology, and environmental toxicology with specialized expertise in neurotoxicology and neurodegeneration.
Dr. Fitsanakis earned her B.S. in chemistry at Milligan College in TN, M.Sc. degree in science and technology from the University of Edinburgh in the U.K., her Ph.D. in cellular and molecular neuroscience from Vanderbilt University in TN, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in toxicology at Wake Forest University Medical School in NC. She has held academic and research positions at several prestigious medical schools and universities (Vanderbilt University, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Medical University of South Carolina). She is also a current faculty member of the Indiana University Borkenstein Course for Alcohol and Highway Safety.
Dr. Fitsanakis has served on various NIH and Department of Defense grant review panels, is a Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences (ATS), and has received numerous awards. She is an active member in the Society of Toxicology (SOT), a former officer in the Neurotoxicology Specialty of SOT, and is an editorial board member and reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals. She is widely published and has received research grants from the NIH to study the relationship between pesticide exposure and Parkinson's disease.
Dr. Fitsanakis has spent over 15 years studying the adverse effects of chemical, biological and physical agents on living organisms. She applies her broad-based expertise in toxicology to issues involving exposures to various classes of toxic chemicals. These include pesticides, gases (e.g., chlorine and carbon monoxide), alcohol, prescription drugs and drugs of abuse, and chemicals linked to damages associated with vaping.
Associate
2019 to presentProvide scientific and technical investigations, analysis, reports, and testimony toward the resolution of cases involving exposures to drugs, chemicals, toxicants, and environmental agents as well as their effects on human health and performance.
Fellow, Academy of Toxicological Sciences (ATS)
Ph.D., Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN Laboratories of Doyle G. Graham, MD, Ph.D., and Thomas J. Montine, M.D., 2003
M.Sc., Sociology of Science and Technology, the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, Professor David Bloor, Thesis Advisor, 1997
B.S., (Cum Laude) Chemistry, Milligan College, Johnson City, TN David Johnson, Senior Thesis Advisor, 1996
Society of Toxicology
For the full CV, click here for the PDF version.
v. 02/28/22
Forensic toxicologists are often called upon to determine whether drug or alcohol intoxication was a contributing factor to a vehicle crash, workplace injury, or other fatal incident. In this article,…
Forensic toxicologists are often called upon to determine whether drug or alcohol intoxication was a contributing factor to a vehicle crash, workplace injury, or other fatal incident. In this webinar…
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