Dori Germolec, Ph.D. | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
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Much of the work carried out by DTT is in support of the National Toxicology Program (NTP), an interagency partnership of the Food and Drug Administration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and NIEHS.
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Systems Toxicology Branch
Dori R. Germolec, Ph.D.
Biologist
Tel 984-287-3134
[email protected]
Research Summary
Dori Germolec, Ph.D., is a biologist who joined National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in 1985. She specializes in the effects of chemicals on the immune system, establishing scientific confidence in alternative methods to evaluate immunotoxicity, and the potential health effects of indoor exposures to mold.
Germolec designs research and/or testing protocols to characterize the biologic, toxicologic and/or physiologic effects of chemicals and/or agents on the immune systems. Germolec serve as a project leader for the toxicologic and carcinogenic assessments of agents of interest to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) as well as a subject matter expert in multidisciplinary review teams comprised of in-house and external scientists evaluating studies on selected chemicals. Germolec also serves as a resource for regulatory and research agencies, and the public who are looking for information on the toxicity of chemicals and how they affect function and burden of disease.
Major Areas of Research
Immunotoxicology Testing Program - Develops and establishes methods with predictive value to evaluate potentially immunotoxic chemicals and drugs; examines selected agents for immunotoxicity in adult and developing animals employing a suite of well-established tests to identify specific targets and effects; and conducts mechanistic studies to define the cellular and molecular events associated with immunotoxicity
Increase the scientific confidence in and use of alternative methods to assess immune modulation and hypersensitivity
Initiate and develop research projects or programs to investigate the mechanisms underlying the targeted toxicity of chemicals
Current Projects
Toxicology and Carcinogenicity assessments of:
Herbal products/Dietary supplements
Mold
Immunotoxicology Evaluation of:
Bisphenols
Flame Retardants
Herbal products/Dietary supplements
Perfluoroalkyl substances
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Germolec’s scientific investigations have resulted in over 100 publications in various areas of toxicology, resulting in the receipt of an NIH Merit Award and The Society of Toxicology (SOT) Best Publication Award in 1995. In 2004, she received the Outstanding Young Investigator Award from the Immunotoxicology Specialty Section of the SOT and in 2017 was awarded the Vos Award for Career Achievement in Immunotoxicology. Germolec has been an active participant in the SOT, serving on multiple committees and as an SOT Councilor in 2011 – 2013. She also served as president of the Immunotoxicology Specialty Section. Germolec also plays a key role in fostering an atmosphere of professional excellence and scientific endeavor among scientists at NIEHS. She has served as a member of the NIEHS Assembly of Scientists (AOS) Council since 2000, most recently as the AoS president in 2011.
Germolec received an M.A. in physical anthropology from Duke University in 1983 and a Ph.D. in toxicology from North Carolina State University in 1995.
Recent Publications
Johnson V, Luster M, Kashon M, Quist E, Burleson G, Burleson F, Germolec D. Modification of the dextran sodium sulfate model to identify agents that induce or exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease.
Journal of immunotoxicology
2026 Dec;23(1):2594800.
Abstract
Johnson V, Luster M, Kashon M, Quist E, Burleson G, Burleson F, Germolec D. Modification of the dextran sodium sulfate model to identify agents that induce or exacerbate inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of immunotoxicology. 2026 Dec
Johnson V, Walker N, Luster M, Burleson G, Cora M, Baker G, Sparrow B, Germolec D. Immunotoxicity assessment of multiwalled carbon nanotubes following whole-body inhalation exposure for 30 and 90 days in B6C3F1/N mice and 30 days in HSD:Harlan Sprague Dawley SD
rats.
Frontiers in toxicology
2025;7:1539810.
Abstract
Johnson V, Walker N, Luster M, Burleson G, Cora M, Baker G, Sparrow B, Germolec D. Immunotoxicity assessment of multiwalled carbon nanotubes following whole-body inhalation exposure for 30 and 90 days in B6C3F1/N mice and 30 days in HSD:Harlan Sprague Dawley SD
rats. Frontiers in toxicology. 2025
Johnson V, Rider C, Luster M, Willson C, Harris S, Stiffler B, Blake J, Mutlu E, Godfrey V, Burback B, Fernando R, Waidyanatha S, Burleson G, Germolec D. Suppression of the T-dependent antibody response following oral exposure to selected polycyclic aromatic compounds in B6C3F1/N mice.
Frontiers in toxicology
2025;7:1558639.
Abstract
Johnson V, Rider C, Luster M, Willson C, Harris S, Stiffler B, Blake J, Mutlu E, Godfrey V, Burback B, Fernando R, Waidyanatha S, Burleson G, Germolec D. Suppression of the T-dependent antibody response following oral exposure to selected polycyclic aromatic compounds in B6C3F1/N mice. Frontiers in toxicology. 2025
Johnson V, Luster M, Edwards A, Kashon M, Burleson G, Burleson F, Germolec D. An In Vitro test battery using human whole blood for immunotoxicity hazard identification: Proof of concept studies with dexamethasone and benzo(a)pyrene.
Toxicology
2025 Aug;515:154153.
Abstract
Johnson V, Luster M, Edwards A, Kashon M, Burleson G, Burleson F, Germolec D. An In Vitro test battery using human whole blood for immunotoxicity hazard identification: Proof of concept studies with dexamethasone and benzo(a)pyrene. Toxicology. 2025 Aug
Johnson V, Burleson S, Luster M, Burleson G, McIntyre B, Robinson V, Fernando R, Blake J, Browning D, Cooper S, Harris S, Germolec D. Immunotoxicity Studies on the Insecticide 2-((1-(4-Phenoxyphenoxy)propan-2-yl)oxy)pyridine (MPEP) in Hsd:Harlan Sprague Dawley SD
Rats.
Toxics
2025 Jul 17;13(7):.
Abstract
Johnson V, Burleson S, Luster M, Burleson G, McIntyre B, Robinson V, Fernando R, Blake J, Browning D, Cooper S, Harris S, Germolec D. Immunotoxicity Studies on the Insecticide 2-((1-(4-Phenoxyphenoxy)propan-2-yl)oxy)pyridine (MPEP) in Hsd:Harlan Sprague Dawley SD
Rats. Toxics. 2025 Jul 17
NTP Reports
National Toxicology Program. Toxicity study of Stachybotrys chartarum (CASRN 67892-26-6) administered by inhalation to B6C3F1/N mice.
Toxicity report series
2024 Oct [Epub ahead of print].
Abstract
National Toxicology Program. Toxicity study of Stachybotrys chartarum (CASRN 67892-26-6) administered by inhalation to B6C3F1/N mice. Toxicity report series. 2024 Oct
National Toxicology Program. Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of an isomeric mixture of tris(chloropropyl) phosphate administered in feed to Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) rats and B6C3F1/N mice.
National Toxicology Program technical report series
2023 Jun [Epub ahead of print].
Abstract
National Toxicology Program. Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of an isomeric mixture of tris(chloropropyl) phosphate administered in feed to Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) rats and B6C3F1/N mice. National Toxicology Program technical report series. 2023 Jun
National Toxicology Program. Toxicity studies of select ionic liquids (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium chloride, and n-butylpyridinium chloride) administered in drinking water to Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) rats and B6C3F1/N mice.
Toxicity report series
2022 May [Epub ahead of print].
Abstract
National Toxicology Program. Toxicity studies of select ionic liquids (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium chloride, and n-butylpyridinium chloride) administered in drinking water to Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) rats and B6C3F1/N mice. Toxicity report series. 2022 May
National Toxicology Program. Toxicity studies of Aspergillus fumigatus administered by inhalation to B6C3F1/N mice (revised).
Toxicity report series
2021 Jul [Epub ahead of print].
Abstract
National Toxicology Program. Toxicity studies of Aspergillus fumigatus administered by inhalation to B6C3F1/N mice (revised). Toxicity report series. 2021 Jul
National Toxicology Program. Toxicity studies of a gum guggul extract formulation administered by gavage to Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) rats and B6C3F1/N mice.
Toxicity report series
2020 Jun [Epub ahead of print].
Abstract
National Toxicology Program. Toxicity studies of a gum guggul extract formulation administered by gavage to Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) rats and B6C3F1/N mice. Toxicity report series. 2020 Jun
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Last Reviewed: December 18, 2025