The first webinar in our four-part “Chemical Safety for Individual and Community Health” series, moderated by Russell Thomas, Ph.D., introduces the expanded capabilities of UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights. Although thousands of chemicals and mixtures are available on the market, traditional toxicity and exposure data are available for only a small fraction of these chemicals. Two new research centers within Chemical Insights, the Center for Chemical Informatics and Screening, led by Katie Paul Friedman, Ph.D., and the Center for Scientific Computing and Data Management, led by Stephen Edwards, Ph.D., are working to fill this gap. These research teams will develop new approach methods (NAMs)-based solutions to rapidly assess thousands of data-poor chemicals in the environment and work to make high-quality data and decision-making tools available for researchers, stakeholders, and the public.
Date and time: Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 12:00 p.m – 1:00 p.m ET
Moderator: Russell Thomas, Ph.D., is the Vice President and Executive Director of UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights. With over two decades of experience in computational toxicology and environmental health research, Thomas leads Chemical Insights’ research teams. He spearheads the strategy driving Chemical Insights to be the leader in reducing or eliminating adverse human health impacts of chemical pollution in the environment and everyday life.
Presenter: Katie Paul Friedman, Ph.D., is the Director of the Center for Chemical Informatics and Screening. Her leadership is focused on harnessing computational and experimental tools to accelerate understanding of the biological activity and potential health outcomes of chemical exposures using new approach methods.
Presenter: Stephen Edwards, Ph.D., is the Director of the Center for Scientific Computing and Data Management. With over 30 years of experience in pharmacology and toxicology across academia, government, and industry, Edwards oversees efforts to integrate and disseminate data generated or curated by Chemical Insights.
Series Description:
UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights is an independent, nonprofit research organization that delivers unbiased, cutting-edge research on chemical risks to human health. Our four-part 2026 webinar series, “Chemical Safety for Individual and Community Health,” will highlight our innovative research approaches towards understanding health risks posed by chemicals. Attendees will learn about Chemical Insights’ mission and how our research initiatives are shaping the future of chemical safety.
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