Shannah Witchey Email & Phone Number

United States

Morrisville, North Carolina, United States

-Work on interdisciplinary teams of scientists to design, analyze, and report studies evaluating toxicity of chemicals nominated to the National Toxicology Program at NIEHS. -Currently lead on studies evaluating potential toxicity of pharmaceutical (antiretroviral drugs) and chemicals within classes of organophosphate flame retardants, organosulfur, and aromatic hydrocarbon.-Leading team in analyzing data and reporting of DNTP neurobehavioral testing for five chemicals.-Member of the Developmental Neurotoxicology Health Effects Innovation team working to promote integration of advanced techniques, especially in vitro assays, into developmental neurotoxicology research.

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

Primary research aim focuses on elucidating how prenatal exposure to a fire retardant and its components contribute to behavioral deficits in adult offspring related to compromised synaptic and neurodevelopment. Methods include assessment of behavior and activity levels, histological assays, RNA-seq and immunohistochemistry. Additionally, published a manuscript detailing oxytocin receptor expression changes in offspring exposed to BPA as part of the CLARITY Consortium. • Coordinate project with PI, lab manager, animal care takers and graduate students. Including timed breeding, treatment exposure, sample collection at multiple time points, and behavioral testing. • Organize and interpret data to prepare for manuscripts. • Mentor undergraduate and graduate students.

Kent, Ohio

Designed a series of experiments to better understand the contributions of oxytocin (Oxt), vasopressin (Avp) and endocannabinoids to the onset and maintenance of maternal care. Teaching assistant for biological foundation, cellular and molecular undergraduate labs. • Utilized Oxt receptor (Oxtr) and forebrain conditional Oxt knockout mice to localize neuronal regions of interest following parturition or repeated exposure (sensitization) to pups. • Performed site specific injections of AAV to knockdown the Oxtr followed by behavior testing to examine maternal behaviors. • Carried out experiments in Avp 1b receptor knockout mice to investigate maternal investment following exposure to novel males. Performed social, anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors in F1 generation. • Observed endocannibinoid receptor 1 knockout females for deficits in the onset of maternal care as well as postpartum anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors. • Proficient in Noldus Ethovision and Observer software. • Familiar with social choice, open field, elevated plus, and forced swim behavior tasks.

Kent, Ohio

Responsible for managing daily laboratory operations and ensuring users comply with all regulatory requirements.• Placed all orders and tracked chemical inventory. • Maintained a mouse colony of approximately 1000 mice. Performed weaning and genotyping of 8 mouse lines. • Decreased animal use numbers by increasing communication with graduate students to adequately plan breeding of mice for experimental use and coordinate space in animal room. • Trained high school, undergraduates and graduate students to follow all safety practices, proper PPE, quality procedures and equipment SOP’s in the lab.• Assisted with all ongoing research projects as needed. • Mentored undergraduate researchers in independent projects.

Ashland, Ohio

As a biologist in the developmental and reproductive toxicology department at a contract research company, I performed various duties including animal handling, test substance administration, clinical observations, sample collections, monitoring food consumption, animal husbandry, accurate data collection and reporting.•Skilled in handling mice, rats and rabbits. •Proficient in multiple routes of chemical exposure including oral gavage, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, and intraperitoneal. •Experienced in collecting blood including retro-orbital bleeding in both mice and rats, via tail and jugular vein in rats, and via ear in rabbits. •Familiar with standard operating procedures (SOPs), good laboratory practices (GLP), and federal and government regulations related to animal welfare.•Was ALAT certified during employment. •Lead biologist on experiments provided me with an understanding of study design and experience managing multiple people in room.

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Physiology, General

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Psychology

Bachelor'S Degree, Molecular Biology