Abby A. Li, Ph.D.

Dr. Li has extensive experience addressing toxicology, risk assessment, and other regulatory science issues related to human and environmental exposure for a wide range of chemicals, including pesticides, industrial chemicals, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. She also has registration and re-registration management experience for pesticides, dealing with a wide range of risk assessment issues internationally. Her particular strengths include identifying and understanding key scientific issues that affect regulatory risk assessment decisions (i.e., application of uncertainty and FQPA factors), and selecting the appropriate application of toxicology data for quantitative risk assessment approaches (i.e., benchmark dose, CxT analyses, cumulative risk assessment). She has extensive experience in product stewardship, and design, project management, and analysis of toxicology studies.

Dr. Li has served on several international and national expert panels, including those sponsored by the National Academy of Science, the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the International Life Science Institute. Dr. Li served for 6 years as a full member of the Environmental Health Committee, a committee of EPA’s Science Advisory Board. She is recognized as an expert in neurotoxicology in the U.S. and internationally. She served on the United States Expert Team to develop international guidelines for neurotoxicology and developmental neurotoxicology for the OECD. She chaired the American Industrial Health Council’s Neurotoxicology Subcommittee, frequently making public presentations to EPA scientific panels on scientific issues related to neurotoxicology. Dr. Li was the chair of the American Chemistry Council’s Neurotoxicology Technical Panel, and she led an expert panel of industrial, government, and academic neuroscientists overseeing long-range research projects to advance the field of neurotoxicology.

Previously at Monsanto Company, Dr. Li was appointed Senior Science Fellow and provided expertise in risk assessment, toxicology, and neurotoxicology. As Neurotoxicology Team Leader at Monsanto’s Environmental Health Laboratory, she developed neurotoxicology research capabilities, including schedule-controlled operant behavior, learning and memory, auditory startle habituation, functional observational battery, motor activity, developmental neurotoxicology, neuropathology, and glial fibrillary acidic protein biochemical assays. She was a study director for numerous toxicology, metabolism (ADME), and neurotoxicology studies conducted under Good Laboratory Practice. She also was study monitor for specialized studies involving in vitro assays, whole-animal bioassays, and human epidemiological studies. Dr. Li was also the global regulatory team leader for a multidisciplinary team of experts who were responsible for addressing a wide range of regulatory science issues, including surface water risk assessment, cancer risk assessment, neurotoxicology, ecological risk assessment.

Li AA, Baum MJ, McIntosh LJ, Day M, Liu F, Gray LE. Building a scientific framework for studying hormonal effects on behavior and on the development of the sexually dimorphic nervous system. Neurotoxicology 2008, in press: doi:10.1016/j.neuro.2008.02015.

Coecke S, Goldberg AM, Allen S, Buzanska L, Calamandrei G, Crofton K, Hareng L, Hartung T, Knaut H, Honegger P, Jacobs M, Lein P, Li A, Mundy W, Owen D, Schneider S, Silbergeld E, Reum T, Trnovec T, Monnet-Tschudi F, Bal-Price A. Work group report: Incorporating in vitro alternative methods for developmental neurotoxicity into international hazard and risk assessment strategies. Environ Health Perspect 2007 Jun; 115(6): 924-31.

Cooper RL, Lamb JC, Barlow SM, Bentley K, Brady AM, Doerrer NG, Eisenbrandt DL, Fenner-Crisp PA, Hines RN, Irvine LF, Kimmel CA, Koeter H, Li AA, Makris SL, Sheets LP, Speijers G, Whitby KE. A tiered approach to life stages testing for agricultural chemical safety assessment. Crit Rev Toxicol 2006; Jan; 36(1):69–98.

Li AA, Mink P, Mcintosh, LJ, Teta M, Finley B. Evaluation of epidemiologic and animal data associating pesticides with Parkinson’s Disease. J Occup Environ Med 2005; 47(10):1059–1087.

Slikker W, Acuff K, Boyes WK, Chelonis J, Crofton KM, Dearlove GE, Li A, Moser VC, Newland C, Li Rossi J, Schantz S, Sette W, Sheets L, Stanton M, Tyl S, Sobotka TJ. Behavioral test methods workshop. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2005; 27(3):417–427.

Li AA. Regulatory developmental neurotoxicology testing: Data evaluation for risk assessment purposes. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2005; 19(3):727–733.

Middaugh LD, Dow-Edwards D, Li AA, Sandler JD, Seed J, Sheets LP, Shuey DL, Slikker W, Weisenburger WP, Wise LD, Selwyn M. Neurobehavioral assessment: A survey of use and value in safety assessment studies. Toxicol Sci 2003; 76(2):250–261.

Dorman DC, Allen SL, Byczkowski JZ, Claudio L, Fischer JE, Fisher JW, Harry GJ, Li AA, Makris SL, Padilla S, Sultatos LG, Mileson BE. Methods to identify and characterize developmental neurotoxicity for human health risk assessment: III. Pharmacological considerations. Environ Health Perspect 2001; 109 Suppl 1:101–111.

Moser VC, Bowen SE, Li AA, Sette WS, Weisenburger WP. Cognitive evaluation: Is it needed in neurotoxicity screening? Neurotoxicol Teratol 2000; 22:7850–798.

Li AA, Thake DC, Kaempfe TA, Branch DK, O’Donnell P, Speck FL, Tyler TR, Faber WD, Jasti SL, Ouellette R, Banton MI. Neurotoxicity evaluation of rats after subchronic inhalation exposure to Isobutanol. Neurotoxicol 1999; 20(6):889–900.

Boyes WK, Dourson ML, Patterson J, Tilson HA, Sette WF, MacPhail RC, Li A, O’Donoghue JL. EPA neurotoxicity risk assessment guidelines. Fundam Appl Toxicol 1997; 40:175–184.

Albee R, Li A, Moser V, O’Donoghue J, Ross J, and Sheets L. U.S. EPA/AIHC training video and reference manual for a functional observational battery, 1996.

Li AA. Functional assessment: From benchtop to regulator. Proceedings, The Toxicology Forum, 1994 Annual Summer Meeting, The Given Institute of Pathobiology, 1994.

Li AA. The use (misuse) of schedule-controlled operant behavior in neurotoxicity testing. In: Toxicological Interpretation of Neurobehavioral Data. Weiss B and O’Donoghue J (eds), New York, Argus, 1994.

Rees DC, Li AA. Schedule-controlled operant behavior I. Identification of neurotoxicity: Critical summary of workshop discussion and implications. In: Toxicological Interpretation of Neurobehavioral Data. Weiss B and O’Donoghue J (eds), New York, Argus, 1994.

Marek GJ, Heffner TG, Shaughnessy RA, Li AA, Seiden LS. Effects of caffeine and PD 116,600 on the differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate 72-s (DRL 72-s) schedule of reinforcement. Pharm Biochem Beh 1994.

Li AA, Asbury KJ, Hopkins WE, Feng PCC, Wilson AGE. Metabolism of alachlor by rat and monkey liver nasal turbinate tissue. Drug Metabol Disposit 1992; 20:616–618.

Li AA, Marek GJ, Hand TH, Seiden LS. Antidepressant-like effects of trazodone on a behavioral screen are mediated by trazodone, not the metabolite m-chlorophenylpiperazine. Eur J Pharm 1990; 177:137–144.

Li AA, Marek GJ, Vosmer G, Seiden LS. Long-term central 5-HT depletions resulting from repeated administration of MDMA enhances the effects of single administration of MDMA on schedule-controlled behavior of rats. Pharm Biochem Beh 1989; 33:641–648.

Marek GJ, Li AA, Seiden LS. Evidence for involvement of 5-hydroxytryptamine1 receptors in antidepressant-like drug effects on differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate 72-s behavior. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1989; 250:60.

Marek GJ, Li A, Seiden LS. Selective 5-hydroxytryptamine2 antagonists have antidepressant-like effects on differential -reinforcement-of-low rate 72-s schedule. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1989; 250:52–59.

Seiden LS, Marek GJ, O’Donnell JM, Li A, Dunn R, Jolly D. The role of noradrenergic and serotonergic systems in the screening of antidepressant drugs. Proceedings, 6th Club CA Symposium, Jerusalem, Israel, June 1987.

Invited Lectures

Li AA, Gray LE (Session Chairs and Speakers). Developing a framework for studying hormonal effect on sexual differentiation of the brain. International Neurotoxicology Association Meeting, Pacific Grove, CA, June 2007.

Li AA. Developmental neurotoxicology testsmart: Validation for what purpose? Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Reston, VA, March 2006.

Li AA. From rat to human: risk assessment for developmental neurotoxicology studies (DNT). Summer Toxicology Forum, Aspen, CO, July 2003.

Li AA, Maurissen J, Mundy W, Crofton K. Developmental neurotoxicology: data interpretation and risk assessment. International Neurotoxicology Association 9, Dresden, Germany, June 2003.

Li AA, Barnett JF, Maurissen J. Developmental neurotoxicity testing, testing and data interpretation. Invited lecturer for continuing education course on mechanisms, biomarkers, data interpretation: An integrative risk assessment using DNT as a model. Teratology Society Meeting, Scottsdale, AZ, June 2002.

Li AA. Neurotoxicology of Triallate, a thiocarbamate. International Neurotoxicology Association Meeting, Estoril, Portugal, June 2001.

Li AA. Neurotoxicology. Invited Lecturer to American Industrial Hygiene Association Toxicology Course, Redondo Beach, CA August 2000; Williamsburg, VI, August 1999.

Li AA. The value of developmental neurotoxicology testing. Winter Toxicology Forum, Washington D.C., November 1999.

Li AA. Implications of EPA’s Neurotoxicity Risk Assessment Guidelines from a FIFRA Perspective. EPA’s Neurotoxicity Risk Assessment Guidelines Workshop, Society of Toxicology, March 1997.

Li AA. Industry Perspective on EPA's Proposed Neurotoxicology Risk Assessment Guidelines. Summer Toxicology Forum, Aspen, Colorado, July 10, 1996.

Li AA. Session Organizer: Neurotoxicity testing: Are we on the right track? 5th International Neurotoxicity Association Meeting, Port Ludlow, WA, June 1995.

Li AA. Neurotoxicological evaluations in adult animal studies. American College of Toxicology, 15th Annual Meeting, Williamsburg, VI, October 23, 1994.

Li AA. 1994. Functional testing: from benchtop to regulator. Annual Summer Toxicology Forum, Given Institute of Pathobiology, Aspen, CO, July 12, 1994.

Li, A.A. An industrial perspective of neurotoxicity toxicity testing. University of Washington, Department of Environmental Health School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seattle, WA, May 19, 1994.

Li AA. FDA Redbook II: Industry’s response to neurotoxicity test guidelines. Conference on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Redbook II, sponsored by the International Life Sciences Institute, Washington D.C., December 17, 1993.

Li AA. Neurotoxicity testing. CliniChem-93, Sponsored by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, Albany, NY, October 15, 1993.

Li AA. Invited lecture to EPA toxicology reviewers: neurotoxicity testing: Introduction to conduct of studies and interpretation of data. Environmental Protection Agency, Crystal City, VI, April 28, 1993.

Li AA. Neurotoxicity testing. University of Washington, Department of Environmental Health School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seattle, WA, April 8, 1993.

Li AA. Neurotoxicity screening battery. Symposium on Occupational and Environmental Neurotoxicology, Northwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety (supported by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), Seattle, WA, March 11, 1993.

Li AA. Neurotoxicity testing in animals. Occupational and Environmental Toxicology Symposium, sponsored by the Northwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety and University of Washington, Seattle, WA, March 11, 1993.

Li AA. The use (misuse) of schedule-controlled operant behavior in regulatory testing. 18th Rochester Conference: Toxicological Interpretation of Neurobehavioral Data, Rochester, NY, June 1992.

Li AA. Neurobehavioral testing: The good, the bad, and the ugly. Society of Toxicologic Pathologists, 11th International Symposium, Neuropathology/Neurotoxicology Workshop, Phoenix, AZ, June 5–6, 1992.

• Senior Science Fellow/Toxicologist and Registration Manager, Monsanto, 1989–2002

Conducted projects related to industrial chemicals (including trichloroethylene, xylene, ethylbenzene, alkanolamines, bisphenol A, manganese) and pesticides (including organophosphates, carbamates, neonicitinoids).

Organized expert review and presented scientific and risk assessment of toxicology data for agricultural and industrial chemicals to regulatory authorities or scientific advisory panels.

Evaluated use of toxicology data in quantitative analyses for carbamate and organophosphate risk assessments, both cumulative and individual, including EPA’s use of empirical dose-time response model written in “R” based on combining adult and offspring cholinesterase inhibition data from different laboratory studies.

Conducted risk assessments and derivations of reference doses (RfDs) based on a weight-of-evidence approach to evaluating toxicology databases and quantitative benchmark dose analyses of toxicology and reproduction and developmental studies.

Designed, evaluated, and monitored U.S. and international guideline adult and developmental neurotoxicology studies, with additional components added to address specific concerns relevant to different modes of action.

Designed and monitored specialized acute inhalation study specifically to improve the scientific database for derivation of AEGL values.

Provided state-of-the-science review and assessment of developmental neurotoxicology literature for specific chemicals undergoing review by scientific expert panels (NTP CERHR, VCCEP expert committee).

Designed a study funded by competitive grant from the UK Pesticide Safety Directorate to evaluate whether human-relevant routes of exposure and dosing as a juvenile or young adult resulted in Parkinson’s disease–like neurodegeneration in mice.

Conducted and published literature review of the epidemiology and animal studies on the association between pesticides and Parkinson’s disease.

• Society of Toxicology
• International Neurotoxicology Association (Scientific Committee for INA-9, 2003)
• Neurobehavioral Teratology Society