Andrew Patterson has been named director of Penn State's Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis (CMTC), a research hub that investigates how environmental exposures affect human health. He succeeds Gary Perdew, H. Thomas & Dorothy Willits Hallowell Chair of Agricultural Sciences, who founded the center in 1997. Patterson - the John T. and Paige S. Smith Professor, professor of molecular toxicology and of biochemistry and molecular biology, Huck Chair in Molecular Toxicology at Penn State, and associate director for shared and core facilities at the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences - said he plans to build on the foundation Perdew established for the CMTC.
"In the CMTC, we are expanding the field of toxicology to consider the complexity of real life," Patterson said. "We examine how environmental chemicals influence health in the context of nutrition, the microbiome, cancer biology and other compounds made by plants and microbes."
By using advanced tools to study human genes, track the body's chemistry and use imaging techniques, CMTC researchers can now connect tiny changes to real health effects in ways that weren't possible a decade ago, he said.
"This builds on the strong foundation Gary Perdew created for the CMTC," Patterson said. "Through his leadership, he encouraged faculty to take risks, address difficult problems and pursue big ideas."
With that culture in place, Patterson said faculty members in the CMTC are well positioned to lead the next era of toxicology.
"Andrew's leadership in metabolomics and toxicology positions members of the CMTC to make transformative scientific discoveries that address pressing environmental health challenges," said Bruce Logan, director of the Institute of Energy and the Environment. "His collaborative spirit and pioneering research will continue to elevate Penn State's reputation and impact in the field."
CMTC's success is connected to its educational and training programs, which are designed to nurture and inspire the next generation of scientists, Patterson said.
"Students and postdocs learn advanced research methods, but just as importantly, they learn to apply those tools to real toxicological problems - from how diet shapes responses to environmental contaminants to how molecular changes contribute to cancer risk," Patterson said. "Our faculty are deeply committed to mentoring - spending time in the lab with students, helping them think through projects and encouraging them to find their own path."
Patterson exhibits the same dedication to students and others, according to Christina Grozinger, the Publius Vergilius Maro Professor of Entomology and director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences.
"Andrew is deeply committed to supporting students, postdoctoral scholars and early career faculty members," Grozinger said. "I have been so impressed with how he has thoughtfully created collaborative networks and developed opportunities that inspire and facilitate all the scientists in the CMTC."
According to Patterson, the value of the CMTC is its pursuit to build a healthier community, both at Penn State and beyond.
"Our research is about understanding how environmental chemicals affect health and disease," he said. "By taking a broad toxicology perspective, we're able to generate knowledge that can inform risk assessment, guide public health decisions and help communities better understand environmental risks."
CMTC researchers do not do this work in isolation. According to Patterson, they regularly collaborate with those in the Penn State Cancer Institute, the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, the Institute of Energy and the Environment and the One Health Microbiome Center, as well as with colleagues across the University. This allows the CMTC to bring together diverse expertise so its scientists can push the science further.
"That interdisciplinary approach is what gives our work impact both here in Pennsylvania and far beyond," he said.
As he steps into this role, Patterson said his key goals for the CMTC include ensuring support for the center's exceptional team members and deepening their collaborations internally and externally.
"Ultimately, I hope the CMTC will be recognized not only for advancing toxicology but also as a community that empowers faculty, staff and trainees to succeed," he said.
