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Alicia Timme-Laragy, professor of environmental health sciences in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences, received the 2025 Stephen B. Harris Mid-Career Scientist Award from the Society of Toxicology (SOT) Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Specialty Section (RDTSS) during the society’s 64^th annual meeting held from March 16-20 in Orlando.

The award recognizes an active member of the RDTSS for outstanding research and scientific contribution completed since graduate and/or postdoctoral training. Criteria for the award include originality, discovery, and excellence in the field of reproductive and developmental toxicology. Candidates must be between at least 10 years – and no more than 20 years – from the date of their last formal training.

“I am honored to receive this award and deeply appreciate it,” Timme-Laragy says. “This recognition reflects the innovative and high caliber research conducted by our UMass students and postdoctoral trainees that I have had the privilege to mentor.”

Among her many accomplishments, Timme-Laragy is the principal investigator of a five-year, $2.44 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to research how embryonic exposure to certain common pollutants may put people at risk for diabetes and other metabolic health conditions later in life. Timme-Laragy and her research team examine the impact on the developing pancreas of early life-stage exposures to two common per and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) chemicals, found in waterproof and non-stick household products, and the PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), used to fight flammable-liquid fires. These so-called “forever chemicals” take decades to break down in the environment and have contaminated drinking water worldwide.

Founded in 1961, the Society of Toxicology is a professional and scholarly organization of scientists from academic institutions, government and industry representing the great variety of scientists who practice toxicology in the U.S. and abroad. Its Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology Specialty Section is a subgroup whose members have expertise and/or responsibility for assessment of toxicology of the reproductive system of a developing offspring.

For more information, visit the RDTSS website.