Members of the COT
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Skip the menu of subheadings on this page.Full Members
Dr David Lovell
Dr Lovell is a Reader in Medical Statistics at St George’s Medical School, University of London.
His appointment term ending in March 2025 has been extended by 1 year ending on 31st March 2026.
Dr Cheryl Scudamore
Dr Scudamore is a RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Pathology (laboratory animals) working as independent consultant in experimental and toxicological pathology.
Her appointment term ending in March 2025 has been extended by 1 year ending on 31st March 2026.
Professor Gary Hutchison
Professor Hutchison is Dean of Applied Sciences and Professor of Toxicology at Edinburgh Napier University.
His appointment term ending in March 2025 has been extended by 1 year ending on 31st March 2026.
Professor Mireille B. Toledano
Prof Toledano is the Marit Mohn Chair in Perinatal & Paediatric Environmental Epidemiology Imperial College London.
Her appointment expires in March 2027.
Professor Philippe B Wilson
Professor Wilson is Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Innovation and Knowledge Exchange and Professor of One Health at York St John University.
Emerita Professor Shirley Price
Professor Price is currently Emerita Professor of Toxicology at the University of Surrey having held several senior posts at the University and is Visiting Professor of Toxicology at the University of Hertfordshire.
Professor Price was appointed as Deputy Chair of the Committee in June of 2024.Her appointment expires in March 2027.
Dr Simon Wilkinson
Dr Wilkinson has been a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology in the School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Sciences at Newcastle University since November 2018, where he is Chair of the Pharmacology Curriculum at Newcastle as well as module leader on the Pharmacology degree program.
His appointment expires in March 2027.
Professor Þórhallur Ingi Halldórsson - HI
Professor Thorhallur I. Halldorsson is a professor at the Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Iceland.
His appointment expires in April 2027.
Professor Peter Barlow
Peter Barlow is Chair of Immunology & Infection, and Head of the Centre for Biomedicine & Global Health within the School of Applied Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University.
His appointment expires in May 2026.
Dr Steve Enoch
Dr Steve Enoch is a Reader in Computational Toxicology at Liverpool John Moores University.
His appointment expires in May 2026.
Dr Alison Yeates
Dr Yeates is a Lecturer in Biomedical Science within the School of Biomedical Sciences at Ulster University.
Her appointment expires in February 2027.
Dr Meera Cush
Dr Meera Cush is a qualified and experienced toxicologist who holds EUROTOX and UK Registered Toxicologist accreditation together with a Chartered Biologist status.
Her appointment expires in February 2027.
Mr Gordon Burton
Mr Gordon Burton was appointed to the Committee as a Public Interest Representative (Lay Member) and runs a consultancy offering strategic advice, facilitation and independent reviews in high performance sporting contexts and innovation start-ups.
His appointment expires in February 2027.
Dr Andreas Kolb
Dr Andreas Kolb is a Senior Research Fellow at the Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen.
His appointment expires in February 2027.
Mr Nick Richardson
Mr Nick Richardson was appointed to the Committee as a Public Interest Representative (Lay Member) Since moving to work at Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) in 2020 he has been responsible for providing assurance activities linked to the Science and Technology capabilities that reside within Dstl.
His appointment expires in February 2027.
Dr Chris Morris
Dr Morris is Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University where he has an interest in the role of specific toxins and their effects on the nervous system.
Their appointment expires in February 2027.
Dr Michelle Bellingham
Dr Michelle Bellingham is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Glasgow and a recognised expert in reproductive toxicology.
Their appointment expires in March 2028.
Professor Martin Clift
Martin Clift (PhD) is a Professor of Particle and Fibre Toxicology at Swansea University Medical School.
Their appointment expires in March 2028.
Dr Bryony Ross
Dr Bryony Ross is a European and UK Registered Toxicologist, currently working as Principal Toxicologist & Team Leader for Human Safety within the Blue Frog Scientific Group of Companies.
Their appointment expires in March 2028.
Dr Aravindan Veiraiah
Dr Aravindan Veiraiah is the Director of the National Poisons Information Service Edinburgh, and a Consultant in Acute Medicine and Toxicology at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Their appointment expires in March 2028.
Professor Qasim Chaudhry
Prof Chaudhry is a visiting Professor at the University of Chester. His academic background is in chemistry and biochemical toxicology, with expertise in leading research into health and environmental safety of food and non-food consumer products.
Associate Members
Dr Tarek Abdelghany
Dr Abdelghany is a Lecturer/Researcher of Pharmacology and Toxicology, having more than ten years of teaching and research experience across different Universities in the UK and Egypt.
Their appointment expires in March 2027.
Dr Antonio Peña-Fernández is a Lecturer in Forensic Toxicology and Legal Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá (Spain), and an Honorary Associate Professor in Toxicology and Medical Sciences at De Montfort University (Leicester, United Kingdom).
Their appointment expires in March 2027.
Co-opted Members
Dr Caroline Harris
Dr Caroline Harris is a Corporate vice president, Principal scientist and the Co-Director of the Centre for Chemical Regulation and Food Safety at Exponent International Ltd. And is a Co-opted Member to the Joint SACN/COT working group on plant-based drinks. Dr Harris was co-opted after her term on the committee expired on the 1st of March 2022.
Dr Phil Botham
Dr Botham was co-opted to the committee's PFAS Subgroup after his term on the committee expired on the 31st March 2024. He is a Principal Science Advisor (part time), also acts as an independent consultant (part time).
Professor Matthew Wright BSc PhD
Prof Wright was co-opted to the committee's PFAS Subgroup after his term on the committee expired on the 31st March 2024. He is a Professor of Toxicology, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University.
Professor Gunter Kuhnle
Professor Kuhnle is a Co-opted Member to the Committee's PFAS Subgroup and Joint SACN/COT Working Group on plant-based drinks. Prof Kuhnle was Co-opted after his term on the committee expired on 31st March 2025. Professor Kuhnle is an Associate Professor in Nutrition and Health at the University of Reading.
Professor James Coulson BSc MBBCh Dip Med Tox Dip Therapeutics MD MRCP ERT
Professor Coulson is a Co-opted Member to the Committee's PFAS Subgroup. Prof Coulson was Co-opted after his term on the committee expired on 31st March 2025. Professor Coulson is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University.
Professor Alan Boobis OBE PhD CBiol FSB FBTS
Prof Alan Boobis is a Co-opted Member to the Committee's Joint SACN/COT Working Group on plant-based drinks. Prof Boobis was co-opted after his appointment as Chair of the COT expired on 31st March 2025. OBE PhD CBiol FSB FBTS Emeritus Professor of Toxicology in the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London.
Christel Wake
Christel Wake was co-opted to the committee to provide support on dietary exposure assessments. Christel is a Member of the Advisory Committee on animal feedingstuffs. She is currently a global residue scientist in the agrochemical industry where she specialises in residues in food and dietary risk assessment.
Liaison Member
Mrs Jacqueline Healing
Mrs Jacqueline Healing is a member of the Food Standards Agency Science Council | Science Council (food.gov.uk) acting as a Science Council liaison to the Committee on Toxicity.
Professor Tom Oliver
Professor Tom Oliver is a member of the Food Standards Agency Science Council | Science Council (food.gov.uk) acting as a Science Council liaison to the Committee on Toxicity.