The Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing is an academic center affiliated with the Division of Toxicological Sciences in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences of the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Text Size:
Curriculum Vitae - Pamela J. Lein, Ph.D.
PERSONAL DATA:
The Johns Hopkins University
Bloomberg School of Public Health
Environmental Health Sciences/Toxicology
615 North Wolfe St.
Baltimore, MD 21205
Phone: 410-614-7661
Fax: 410-955-0116
E-mail: plein@jhsph.edu
CURRENT APPOINTMENTS:
- Assistant Professor, Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University
- Faculty Member, Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
| 1990-92 | Roswell Park Cancer Institute (Postdoctoral Training) - Molecular Immunology |
| 1990 | State University of New York at Buffalo (Ph.D.) - Pharmacology |
| 1983 | East Tennessee State University (M.S.) - Environmental Health |
| 1981 | Cornell University (B.S.) - Biology |
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Current:
| Assistant Professor, Environmental Health Sciences/Toxicology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health | 7/1999 to present |
| Faculty Member, Centers for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health | 8/2000 to present |
Previous:
| Assistant Professor, Biology, Canisius College | 8/1993-6/1999 |
| Adjunct Assistant Professor, Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo | 8/1993-6/1999 |
| Environmental Health Analyst, Dames and Moore, West Valley Nuclear Services Co., Inc. | 3/1992-5/1993 |
| Postdoctoral Fellow, Molecular Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute | 9/1990-3/1992 |
| Predoctoral Fellow, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo | 8/1985-9/1990 |
| Research Associate, Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Buffalo General Hospital | 8/1983-8/1985 |
| Graduate Assistant, Environmental Health, East Tennessee State University | 1/1982-7/1983 |
| Laboratory Technician, Physiology, New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University | 1/1981 to 8/1981 |
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Society Membership:
- Society of Toxicology (SOT)
- Society for Neuroscience (SFN)
- American Society of Cell Biology (ASCB)
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Participation on Advisory Panels:
| Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins University | 2000 |
Program or Project Development
| 2001-2002 TestSmart - Endocrine Disruptors, Johns Hopkins University Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Workshop II, Feb 2002, Workshop Coordinator | 2000-2001 |
| TestSmart - Endocrine Disrupters, Johns Hopkins University Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Workshop I, Feb 2001, Workshop Coordinator | 2000-2001 |
| Incorporation of imaging techniques into undergraduate cell and molecular laboratories, Biology Dept, Canisius College, P.I. | 1998-1999 |
| Laboratory revision in genetics and improvements in cell and molecular courses, Biology Dept, Canisius College, Co-P.I. | 1997-1999 |
| Howard Hughes Medical Institute Program for Undergraduate Science Education, School of Arts and Sciences, Canisius College, Co-P.I. | 1996-1999 |
| Curricular reform, Introductory Biology Core, Biology Dept, Canisius College | 1993-1995 |
Consultantships:
| Consultant to Law Offices of Kysor & Della Posta, Gowanda, NY representing Andrew V Rupp in the State of New York Worker's Compensation Board in regard to Andrew V Rupp, WCB Case #8930-4882 | 1998 |
Editorial Activities:
Peer Review Activities, Journals:
- Brain Research
- Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry
- Journal of Cell Biology
- Journal of Neurobiology
- Journal of Neurochemistry
- Journal of Neuroscience
- Journal of Neuroscience Methods
- Journal of Neurochemistry
- Neurotoxicology
- Toxicology Letters
- Toxicological Sciences
Editorial Board Membership:
- Toxicology Letters, 2001-2003
Ad Hoc Review of Proposals:
- National Science Foundation, Developmental Neuroscience Program, 1999-2002
- National Science Foundation, Research Experience for Undergraduates Program, 2001
- Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), 2001
- Johns Hopkins Center in Urban Environmental Health, 2001
AWARDS & HONORS:
- NSF ILI grant, Incorporation of imaging techniques into undergraduate cell and molecular laboratories (DUE-9850762), 1998-1999
- NSF ILI grant, Laboratory revision in genetics and improvements in cell and molecular courses (DUE-9750452), 1997-1999
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Program for Undergraduate Science Education, Co-P.I., 1996-1999
- Dean's Grant, Arts and Sciences, Canisius College, 1995, 1996
- Grass Fellowship Exchange, The Grass Foundation, 1994-1997
- National Science Foundation Research Opportunity Award, 1994
- NIH NCI National Research Service Award, Cell biology of human TILs engrafted into SCID mice (1 F32 CA09177-01), 1991-1994
- March of Dimes Predoctoral Fellowship, 1987-1990
TEACHING:
Advisees:
Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health
- Rosemary Schuh, M.Sc., 2001
- Crystal D. Bennett, M.Sc., 2001
- Lily Somwaru, M.Sc., 2002
- Angela Howard, Ph.D. candidate, 2001 -
- Bethany Yost, Ph.D. candidate, 2002 -
- Xin Guo, postdoctoral fellow, 2002 -
- Jeremy Wong, postdoctoral fellow, 2002 -
National Defense Medical Center, Taiwan/NIH NIDA IRP
- Hui-Ling Chen, Ph.D. candidate, 2001 -
JHU/SOT Summer Research Program for Undergraduate Students
- Robert Bucelli, Canisius College, 2000
- Kroshona Tabb, Alabama State University, 2001
- Delise Charles, Morgan State University, 2001
- Camille Henson, Hampton University, 2001
- Jennie Huang, Johns Hopkins University, 2002
Canisius College Undergraduate Research Advisees
| Danielle Dorsaneo, 1999 | Target-derived BMPs regulate dendritic growth in sympathetic neurons |
| Hiroko Nagasawa, 1999 | Target-derived BMPs regulate dendritic growth in sympathetic neurons |
| Laurie Robak, 1999 | Transfection of PC12 cells with MAP-2 is not sufficient to induce dendritic growth |
| Patrick J. Gallagher, 1998 | Glial cells express mRNA and protein for BMPs 6 and 7 |
| Christopher T. Lang, 1998 | Senior Honor Thesis: Effects of phenobarbital on neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells |
| Rachelle Toman, 1998 | Senior Honor Thesis: Lead potentiates neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells |
| Ann Marie Hedges, 1997 | Sympathetic target tissues express BMPs |
| Jeffrey Amodeo, 1996 | PC12 cells express the av integrin receptor |
Preliminary Oral Participation
| November 1999 | Deborah Segal | EHS/Toxicology |
| January 2000 | Minerva Gomez | EHS/Toxicology |
| November 2000 | Lori Strutz | EHS/Toxicology |
| November 2000 | Angela Howard | EHS/Toxicology |
| April 2001 | Rosemary Schul | EHS/Toxicology |
| October 2001 | Anne Sullivan | EHS/Toxicology |
| November 2001 | Lilana Moreno | EHS/Physiology |
| June 2002 | Louis Stein | EHS/Physiology |
Final Oral Participation
| May 2001 | Jessica Darman | MMI |
| December 2000 | Angela Howard | EHS/Toxicology |
Classroom Instruction
Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health
Introduction to Physiology, 020.130
- Muscle Physiology (1 hr)
- Clinical and Public Health Aspects of the Nervous System (1 hr)
Principles of Toxicology, 187.610
- Case Studies in Toxicology: Persistent Organic Pollutants and Dioxins (1.5 hr)
Environmental Health, 180.601
- Xenoestrogens - New Man-Made Threats (50 min)
Fundamentals of Reproductive Biology, 120.620
- Endocrine Disruptors (1.5 hr)
Fundamentals of Human Physiology, 183.631
- Environmental Health Relevance of Nervous System Physiology (1 hr)
- Muscle Physiology (1 hr)
The Environment and Your Health, 570.303
- Case Study: Endocrine Disruptors (40 min)
Topics in Molecular Endocrinology, 120.621.01
- Neuro-Endocrine Disruptors (1.5 hr)
Morgan State University
- Role of BMPs in Plasticity in the Adult Brain
SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Cell Biology
- Cell Polarity
- Cell Polarity and Integrins
- Neuronal Polarity
- Cell Adhesion Molecules
Special Techniques Developmental Neurobiology
- Neuronal Morphogenesis
Undergraduate Biology, Canisius College
- Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology, BIO 101
- Introduction to Organismal Biology, BIO 102
- Environmental Biology, BIO 135
- Research Techniques, BIO 300
- Junior Seminar, BIO 352
- Environmental Health, BIO 360
- Independent Study, BIO 400
- Independent Research, BIO 401
- Cellular Neurobiology, BIO 425
- Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, BIO 425L
- Medicinal Botany, BIO 430
- Developmental Neurobiology, BIO 435
- Senior Seminar, BIO 452
Undergraduate Biology, Niagara University, Niagara Falls, NY
Bio-Analytical Techniques and Laboratory, BIO 491
- Cell culture and indirect-immunofluorescence
Professional Courses
Dental Pharmacology, SUNYAB School of Dental Medicine
- Nicotinic Blocking Agents
Professional training course, West Valley Nuclear Services, Inc.
- Development of Emergency Action Levels
Basic Principles in Pharmacology, SUNYAB School of Medicine
- Teratogenic agents
RESEARCH GRANT PARTICIPATION:
- Mechanism of organophosphate developmental toxicity, April 2002 to March 2004, National Institute of Environmental Health Science, P.I.
- Do PCBs alter developing brain structure and cognition?, March 2002 to February 2004, National Institute of Children's Health and Human Development, P.I.
- Mechanistic studies investigating the role of organophosphate insecticide exposure in the development and exacerbation of asthma, January 2002 to December 2004, Department of Defense.
- Johns Hopkins Center in Urban Environmental Health, April 1998 to March 2003, National Institute of Environmental Health Science.
- Modulation of muscarinic receptor expression on sympathetic neurons by pro- and anti-inflammatory agents associated with asthma, May 2001 to April 2002, The Thomas and Carol McCann Innovative Research Fund for Asthma and Respiratory Disease, Johns Hopkins University, P.I.
- Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on estrogen metabolism in the developing hippocampus, April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2001, National Institute of Environmental Health Science, Johns Hopkins University Center in Urban Environmental Health, P.I.
- Regulation of dendritic growth by target-derived bone morphogenetic proteins, May 2000 to April 2002, Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health, P.I.
- Assessment of dendritic growth as a targeted process in the developmental neurotoxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2000, National Institute of Environmental Health Science, Johns Hopkins University Center in Urban Environmental Health (Pilot Project Proposal 99-12), P.I.
- Regulation of dendritic growth by osteogenic protein-1, April 1997 to August 1999, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (1 R15 NS/OD36401-01), P.I.
- Cell biology of human TILs engrafted into SCID mice, 1991, American Cancer Society, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, P.I.
Pending:
- Bone Morphogenetic Proteins in Cerebrospinal Fluid, April 2003 to March 2005, NIH NIND.
- Molecular regulation of primary dendritogenesis, December 2002 to November 2004, NIH NINDS, P.I.
ACADEMIC SERVICE:
Division and/or Department
| 2002 | Coordinator, Toxicological Sciences Comprehensive Preliminary Exam |
| 2001/2002 | Search Committee for Assistant Professor in Toxicological Sciences |
| 2001/2002 | Ad hoc Committee, Departmental Website Design |
| 2001/2002 | Ad hoc Committee, Departmental Organization and Structure |
| 2000 | Search Committee for Assistant Professor in Toxicological Sciences |
| 2000 | Coordinator, Divisional Journal Club in Neurotoxicology |
| 2000 | United Way Solicitor, Environmental Health Sciences |
School
| 2000/2002 | Reviewer, MPH Integrating Experience Projects |
University
| 2001/2002 | Alternate, Animal Care and Use Committee |
Community
| 1999 | Judge, 8th Annual Undergraduate & Graduate Science Research Symposium Program, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD |
PRESENTATIONS
Scientific Meetings
Society for Toxicology, 2002
- Howard AS, PL Lein (2002). PCBs alter apoptosis in primary cultures of hippocampal but not cortical neurons.
- Lein PJ, AS Howard, RA Schuh, R Bucelli, DA Jett (2002) Organophosphate pesticides differentially alter axonal and dendritic growth in cultured sympathetic neurons.
Society for Neuroscience, 2001
- Beck HN, H-L Chen, P Lein (2001). Regulation of dendritic growth by target-derived BMPs.
CAAT's 20th Anniversary Celebration, 2001
- Lein P, RA Schuh, R Bucelli, D Jett (2001). Cultured sympathetic neurons as a model system for investigating the developmental neurotoxicity of organophosphate pesticides.
Society of Toxicology, 2001
- Lein P, R Schuh, R Bucelli, D Jett (2001). Chlorpyrifos inhibits axonal outgrowth in sympathetic neurons at concentrations that have no effect on the enzymatic activity of acetylcholinesterase. The Toxicologist 60:243.
Alternative Toxicological Methods for the New Millennium: Science and Application, 2000
- Lein, PJ, RA Schuh, R Bucelli, DA Jett (2000). Cultured sympathetic neurons as a model system for investigating the developmental neurotoxicity of organophosphate pesticides.
American Society of Neurochemistry, 1999
- Lein, PJ, D Dorsaneo, H Nagasawa, PL Kaplan, D Higgins (1999). Target tissues influence dendritic growth in sympathetic neurons via osteogenic protein-1. J Neurochem. 72(Suppl):S35C.
First European Conference on Bone Morphogenetic Proteins, 1998
- Charette, M, D Rueger, G Withers, G Banker, P Lein, D Higgins. Neurotrophic activities of bone morphogenetic proteins.
15th International Neurotoxicology Conference, Manganese, 1997
- Lin, W, P Lein, D Higgins, JA Roth. Manganese-induced toxicity and process outgrowth in rat PC12 cells.
Society for Neuroscience, 1997
- Gallagher PJ, PJ Lein, V Chandrasekaran, AM Hedges, D Rueger, D Higgins. Glia regulate dendritic growth in rat sympathetic neurons via bone morphogenetic proteins. Society for Neuroscience Abstr 23:885.
- Dorsaneo D, AM Hedges, D Rueger, D Higgins, PJ Lein. Target tissues influence dendritic growth in sympathetic neurons via osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1). Society for Neuroscience Abstr 23:885.
American Society for Cell Biology, 1996
- Gallagher PJ, J Amodeo, H Howie, JA Roth, PJ Lein. Integrins mediate manganese-induced neuronal differentiation in PC12 cells. Molec Biol Cell Abstr 21:97a.
American Society for Cell Biology, 1995
- Chandrasekaran V, AM Hedges, D Rueger, PJ Lein. Glial induction of dendritic growth in rat sympathetic neurons involves osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1). Molec Biol Cell Abstr 6:99a.
Society of Toxicology, 1994
- Craig DK, JS Davis, PW Hoffman, LG Lee, PJ Lein. Toxic chemical risk acceptance guidelines for use in DOE facilities. The Toxicologist 14:1151.
Society for Neuroscience, 1994
- Lein PJ, M Johnson, X Guo, D Rueger, D Higgins. Osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1) induces dendritic growth in cultured sympathetic neurons. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 20:680.
Invited Seminars
- April 2002, BMPs in regulation of dendritic growth, CROET, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR
- March 2002, Regulation of dendritic growth by bone morphogenetic proteins, Biology Dept, Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indianapolis, IN
- February 2002, Extrinsic factors that influence neuronal morphogenesis, USEPA, Neurotoxicology Division, Research Triangle Park, NC
- January 2002, Regulation of dendritic growth by bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD
- August 2001, Mechanisms by which endocrine disruptors disrupt neuronal development in mammalian systems, EDICOR Site Visit, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
- July 2001, Regulation of dendritic growth by bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), Dept Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Kentucky School of Medicine, Lexington, KY
- December 2000, Assessment of Dendritic Growth as a Targeted Process in the Developmental Neurotoxicity of PCBs. Johns Hopkins NIEHS Center in Urban Environmental Health, External Advisory Committee Meeting, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
- November 2000, Regulation of Dendritic Growth by Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs). Biomedical Research Seminars Series, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
- April 2000, Environmental Toxins: Hackers that Target the Hardware of the Neural Network, Environmental Health Science Faculty Meeting with Dean Sommer, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- April 2000, Positive and negative regulation of dendritic growth, Institute for Cognitive and Computational Sciences, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC
- February 2000, Regulation of dendritic growth in sympathetic neurons, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Neurovirology, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- October 1999, Cell and molecular mechanisms underlying dendritic growth in sympathetic neurons, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Division of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- November 1997, Regulation of neuronal morphogenesis by osteogenic protein-1, Alpha Theta chapter of Tri Beta, Canisius College, Buffalo, NY
- October 1997, Regulation of neuronal morphogenesis by osteogenic protein-1, Biochemical Pharmacology, SUNY at Buffalo, School of Pharmacy, Buffalo, NY
- May 1997, Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) regulate neuronal differentiation, Toxicology Research Center, Environmental Health Sciences Graduate Group, SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY
- March 1997, Adhesion molecules: more than cellular glue, Department of Biology, Niagara University, Niagara Falls, NY
- November 1996, The human genome project, American Council on Education, National Identification Program, Canisius College, Buffalo, NY
- November 1996, Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) regulate neuronal differentiation, Alpha Theta chapter of Tri Beta, Canisius College, Buffalo, NY
- January 1996, Osteogenic protein-1 specifically induces dendritic growth in sympathetic neurons in culture, Lung Biology Research Program, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, NY
- September 1995, Regulation of dendritic growth in sympathetic neurons, Departments of Psychology and Biology, Hamilton College, Clinton, NY
- August 1995, Environmental specification of neuronal morphology: role of BMP-7 in dendritic growth, Dept Neurology, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany
- June 1994, Extracellular matrix molecules as determinants of neuronal morphology, Lung Biology Research Program, Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, NY
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Personal statement of research and research objectives
The vulnerability of the developing nervous system to environmental stressors has become a major concern to the public health community and to environmental advocates within the general public. Much of the existing literature concerning the effects of xenobiotics on the developing nervous system has focused on behavioral alterations with limited effort directed toward the underlying biological processes critical to the formation of the nervous system and their role in altered behavior. To rigorously address this issue, it is necessary to identify and characterize the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the formation of the developing nervous system and to assess their role as targets for xenobiotics. These are the long-term objectives of my research. My laboratory is currently focused on two specific questions relevant to these broader issues: 1) the regulation of dendritic growth by bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs); and 2) the effects of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organophosphate insecticides on neuronal morphogenesis. We are using both in vivo (transgenic mice) and in vitro (primary neuronal cultures) model systems to address these questions.
Keywords: neuronal morphogenesis, dendrites, developmental neurotoxicity, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organophosphate pesticides, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), trophic factors, estrogen, endocrine disrupters, neuronal cell culture, sympathetic neurons, hippocampal neurons