Dr. Michael Aschner is a distinguished leader in neurotoxicology research and currently serves as the Harold and Muriel Block Chair in Molecular Pharmacology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He holds professorships in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology, the Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, and the Department of Pediatrics, demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of his expertise. As Director of the Einstein Center of Toxicology, he oversees a comprehensive research program dedicated to understanding environmental impacts on neurological health. His leadership extends beyond Einstein, having served as President of the Society of Toxicology from 2022 to 2023 and as Chair of the NIH study section ALTOX3. Dr. Aschner's career trajectory has established him as a pivotal figure in advancing the field of neurotoxicology through institutional leadership and strategic research direction.
Dr. Aschner's pioneering research centers on the molecular mechanisms underlying metal neurotoxicity, with particular emphasis on mercury and manganese toxicity, as well as pesticides and other environmental agents. His laboratory investigates the interaction between genetic factors and environmental exposures in triggering neurological diseases during both central nervous system development and aging. With an impressive h-index of 108 and over 54,000 citations across 1,406 publications, his work has profoundly influenced the field of neurotoxicology. His groundbreaking studies on blood-brain barrier transport mechanisms have provided crucial insights into how toxic metals enter and affect the brain, significantly advancing our understanding of neurological disease pathways. This research has established foundational knowledge for understanding conditions ranging from neurodevelopmental disorders to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Aschner serves as an expert reviewer for multiple federal agencies including the US EPA, ATSDR, CDC, NIH, and EFSA, demonstrating the policy relevance of his scientific expertise. As co-founder of the Series Advancements in Neurotoxicology and associate editor for multiple high-impact journals, he has been instrumental in shaping the discourse and standards of his field. His leadership extends to mentoring the next generation of toxicologists through the Training Program in Environmental Toxicology funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Dr. Aschner's current research continues to explore the complex interplay between genetic susceptibility and environmental exposures, with promising implications for developing targeted therapeutic interventions for neurological disorders. His ongoing work represents the cutting edge of environmental neuroscience and toxicology, maintaining his position at the forefront of these critical scientific domains.
