Meet the professionals – March Spotlight – Amanda Phelka, Leslie Patton, & Ailsa Jackson
This month we are excited to feature three of TSG’s principal toxicologists – Dr Amanda Phelka, Dr Leslie Patton, and Ailsa Jackson. Together, Amanda, Leslie, and Ailsa lead TSG’s toxicology team across Europe and North America. They play a critical role in the regulatory process, helping clients assess chemical substances and their human health effects to ensure product safety.
About Amanda
Amanda has over 20 years’ experience assessing human health risk from occupational and environmental chemical exposures. As a Principal Consultant for TSG, Amanda specializes in supporting the successful registration of pesticides by providing scientific perspective to FIFRA and PMRA registration submissions. She is also experienced in the technical aspects of Proposition 65, including conducting exposure assessments to assist clients in determining the need to provide warnings for chemicals known in the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive harm.
About Leslie
Leslie has 15 years’ experience in regulatory toxicology and is an expert in U.S. and Canadian pesticide registrations, providing support for the human health and ecotoxicology aspects of both. She routinely writes and submits food contact notifications and GRAS notices. She also performs chemical risk assessment for premarket notifications for TSCA, reviews consumer products for compliance with FHSA and PPPA, and works with cosmetics companies on compliance and safety issues.
About Ailsa
Ailsa specializes in the toxicology of plant production products and pesticides. Having worked for various contract research laboratories in the UK and Switzerland for over 25 years, she moved into a scientific specialist role researching, developing, and implementing new guidelines and study types to support the chemical and crop protection industries. Most recently Ailsa has been a human health regulatory toxicologist in the agrochemical industry working on new and defence projects. Ailsa serves as the President for the American Board of Toxicology.
We sat down with Amanda, Leslie, and Ailsa to learn more about their roles and the satisfaction it brings them.
“The most rewarding part of my job’” Leslie shared, “is helping a vast array of industries bring their chemical-based products to market while also prioritizing safety and compliance. Toxicology plays a crucial role in product success and understanding the impact of a product on humans and the environment is necessary to meet product safety requirements.”
Commonly thought of as the study of poisons and toxic substances, toxicology has come to be understood as a critical component ensuring human and environmental safety. Likewise, this scientific discipline has opened doors for a more sustainable future, helping the world to capitalize on opportunities to reduce, recycle, and reuse like we never thought possible. “When I joined TSG, I was assigned to an ongoing effort with the Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC) to evaluate potential exposure and risk associated with handling a variety of plastic products (like landscape edging and ag drain-pipes) constructed from recycled agricultural chemical containers,” Amanda explained. “It is truly trash turned to treasure—treasure that’s safe for both humans and the environment.”
Ailsa shares similar sentiments about her experience as a toxicologist at TSG. “I primarily work in the plant protection space. We provide clients with solutions like risk mitigation measures, formulation changes, or support in developing biopesticides. Helping farmers get the most from their crops and provide affordable food to the world is a true privilege.”
How can our toxicologists help you?
Amanda, Leslie, and Ailsa will be attending the Society of Toxicology’s 61st annual meeting from 28-31 March 2022. This international event offers opportunities to engage with key stakeholders in the toxicology community and showcase the latest advances in state-of-the-science toxicology, human and environmental risk assessment. Whether you’re attending the meeting or not, Amanda, Leslie, and Ailsa are always happy to chat. Looking for toxicological expert? Get in touch with us at [email protected]
