Trainee Success Stories: Dr. Tiffany Bredfeldt
Jan. 2, 2012
Dr. Tiffany Bredfeldt, former University of Arizona Superfund Research Program (UA SRP) pre-doctoral trainee, is now handling environmental issues for the State of Texas. Dr. Bredfeldt received a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Arizona in 2006, under the mentorship of UA SRP Director Dr. A. Jay Gandolfi. Her research focus during her graduate studies was the carcinogenicity of arsenic metabolites and their underlying mechanisms of action. This research into the mechanisms of arsenic-induced carcinogenesis was published in various peer-reviewed journals and was acknowledged through awards from the Society of Toxicology and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), including the 2005 Karen Wetterhahn Memorial Award. Upon completion of her doctoral studies, she conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where she was the recipient of a NIEHS Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award. Dr. Bredfeldt’s postdoctoral research investigated the mechanisms by which early life exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals called xenoestrogens increased cancer risk in adulthood by modulation of epigenetic structures.
In her current position as a Senior Toxicologist at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Dr. Bredfeldt focuses on human health risk assessment, generation of toxicity factors, and NexGen risk assessment approaches. Her office has been active in evaluating ambient air quality from a human health perspective for VOCs, PAHs, carbonyls, and metals. Her responsibilities include serving on national panels that influence the future of the use of toxicology data in human health risk assessment. A significant portion of her time is dedicated to participating in public policy and outreach events where she both represents the State of Texas and also educates the public about environmental health issues.
Keep up the great work, Tiffany!