Durham, NC — ChemFORWARD, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending toxic chemical exposure and illuminating safer alternatives, today announced the appointment of Lauren Walker, PhD, DABT, as Research Toxicologist.
In this role, Lauren will serve as a subject matter expert in toxicology research and its application to ChemFORWARD’s Chemical Hazard Data Trust. She will connect toxicological data, hazard communication, and product delivery to help ensure that the Data Trust, projects, and reports support sound decision-making for internal teams and external stakeholders. She will work closely with the Science Team and ChemFORWARD’s community of Assessors and Verifiers.
Lauren is a board-certified toxicologist with seven years of experience spanning toxicology research and industry safety strategy, with expertise in nonclinical drug development, product safety, and occupational health risk assessment. Her expertise includes immunotoxicology and reproductive and developmental toxicology, and she has authored peer-reviewed publications and presented at scientific conferences. In biopharmaceutical settings, she has supported study design, data integration, and evidence-based safety assessments.
Prior to her role at ChemFORWARD, Lauren worked at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and is the founder and independent consultant at PenTox, LLC. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology from the University of California, Davis, and a PhD in Environmental Toxicology from the University of California, Riverside. She is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology (DABT) with the American Board of Toxicology (ABT).
“Lauren shares our commitment to scientific integrity, collaboration, and transparency,” said Heather McKenney, Director of Science & Safer Chemistry at ChemFORWARD. “Her expertise will help us deliver credible, actionable, data-driven solutions that make safer chemistry possible.”
