Meryl H. Karol

Professor Emerita

University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Education: BS from Cornell University, Ithaca NY, and a Ph.D. from Columbia University, NYC

Specialties: Mechanisms of chemical toxicity; chemically induced asthma, and allergic diseases

Dr. Karol’s research has been devoted to the study of mechanisms of chemical toxicity. She has published extensively on chemically induced allergy and asthma, and on individual susceptibility to allergic diseases. She holds three patents related to this research. Dr. Karol has also published on improving indoor air quality to sustain public health. Her most recent publications focus on the aging process, and the susceptibilities of the elderly. In 2009, she authored an invited review, How Environmental Agents Influence the Aging Process. Dr. Karol has been very active in scientific and professional societies. She was the first female to be elected President of the Society of Toxicology, USA (1994–1995), and was elected Secretary-General of the International Union of Toxicology (IUTOX) (1998–2004), after having served as a Director of IUTOX (1995–1998). She is delighted to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors of the American Toxicology Society. Dr. Karol has served on numerous national and international scientific committees. Currently, she is a member of the Science Advisory Board of the EPA. She chaired the National Research Council’s review of the Toxicologic and Radiologic Risks to Military Personnel from Exposures to Depleted Uranium During and After Combat. She also chaired the Pharmaceutical Toxicology Committee for the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation Research. She has testified before Congress on the health effects from formaldehyde in FEMA trailers. Dr. Karol is the recipient of numerous awards including the Rachel Carson Award, Women in Science Award, the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Public Health, and the Frank R. Blood Award. Dr. Karol is Professor Emerita at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is the former Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research in the University’s Graduate School of Public Health, and currently serves on the Senior Advisory Committee of the Graduate School. Dr. Karol received a BS from Cornell University, Ithaca NY, and a Ph.D. from Columbia University, NYC.