Mary Beth Genter, PhD University of Cincinnati, USA

Dr. Genter’s research focuses on tissue-specific metabolism and toxicity of environmental toxicants, with emphasis on the olfactory and auditory systems. My lab has worked for a number of years to understand the mechanisms by which compounds such as as the analgesic acetaminophen and antihyperthyroid drugs cause toxicity to the olfactory system. Similarly, we have also worked for a number of years to understand how certain pesticides cause tumors in the olfactory system. More recently, we have initiated studies to understand how metals can accumulate in the brain, by studying metal transporter expression in nasal tissues. These studies of metal transporters have also taken us into a new area of study for our lab, that is in the transport of metals into the ear. This opens up an exciting area of study, as certain metals are currently linked to hearing loss, and there are many workplace environments wherein co-exposures to metals and noise potentially contribute to occupational hearing loss.