Marcia Ratner, PhD, Elected to Neurotoxicology Specialty Section, Society of Toxicology

Marcia Ratner, PhD, DABT, assistant professor of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics, has been elected to serve as Councilor for the Neurotoxicology Specialty Section (NTSS) of the Society of Toxicology (SOT). Councilors are members of the executive committee and are elected for a term of two years.

Ratner brings significant professional contributions to the field of neurotoxicology and years of service to the NTSS. A member of SOT since 2014, she has served as a Poster Competition Judge and been nominated to serve as VP-elect of the organization.

Ratner’s research is focused on interdisciplinary investigations looking at the effects of neurotoxicants and drugs on the subclinical progression and onset of age-related neurodegenerative diseases associated with learning and memory deficits such as Alzheimer’s disease and age-related mild cognitive impairment. She is the only board certified toxicologist listed on Google Scholar who is also an expert in the use of in vivo electrophysiology as a preclinical research tool.

In addition to SOT, Ratner is an active member of several societies of professional toxicologists including the: American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American Society for Cellular and Computational Toxicology and International Neurotoxicology Association. She is also a member of professional clinical medical societies that reflect upon her expertise in clinical research including the American Academy of Neurology, American Psychological* Association and the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology. Ratner has served as a scientific advisor to the Workplace Safety Insurance Board of Ontario, Canada and serves on the editorial boards of Toxicology Communications and Frontiers in Toxicology. She also serves as an ad hoc reviewer for several other professional clinical toxicology and medical journals and she is registered as a reviewer with Publons.

Ratner earned her doctorate in behavioral neuroscience from BUSM and her BA in psychology from BU. She subsequently completed a three-year NIH/NIA post-doctoral fellowship in the biochemistry of aging in BUSM’s department pharmacology and experimental therapeutics.

Ratner regularly engages in advocacy work on behalf of the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) and DifferentBrains.org and has traveled to Washington, DC for “Hill Day” with the MJFF. She has lobbied congress for increased funding for neurodegenerative disease research and for improved access to care for persons living with Parkinson’s disease.

NTSS consists of members of SOT who are interested in the adverse effects of chemical, biological or physical agents on the structure and function of the nervous system. NTSS members have research, regulatory and/or industrial interests in the field of neurotoxicology as it relates to environmental chemicals and pharmaceuticals.