Biography
Dr. Daniel G. Kougias is a Senior Supervising Health Scientist with a breadth of training and expertise that spans from basic toxicology and risk assessment to toxicology-focused disciplines in endocrinology, developmental and reproductive biology, neuroscience, nutritional science, and exposure science. Accordingly, he has considerable experience with the design, management, and evaluation of in vitro and in vivo mammalian toxicity studies as well as the application of the in silico approaches. Dr. Kougias also has experience leading efforts in researching, measuring, and reconstructing exposure with the aim of assessing risk to exposed consumers and workers.
Over the past 10 years, Dr. Kougias has led, managed, and/or made significant contributions to technically diverse projects where he has investigated a variety of chemicals, including agrochemicals (e.g., glyphosate and paraquat), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and chemical substances found in dietary supplements, personal care products (e.g., sunscreens/UV filters and other ingredients in skincare products), pharmaceuticals [e.g., acetaminophen and N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in ranitidine products], e-cigarettes, and medical devices (e.g., cobalt-containing alloys). Consequently, Dr. Kougias has published over 35 peer-reviewed publications and conference abstracts in the fields of toxicology, exposure assessment, risk assessment, environmental science, nutritional science, and neuroscience.
Education
- PhD, Neuroscience University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2018
- BS, Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2011
- BS, Food Science & Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2011
- Certificate in Business Administration, College of Business, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Professional Associations
- Society for Neuroscience (SfN) since 2013
- Society of Toxicology (SOT) since 2018
- Councilor for the SOT Midwest Regional Chapter (MRC) since 2020
Most Recent Awards/Professional Honors
- NIEHS Extramural Paper of the Month, September 2018
- NIH Predoctoral Traineeship in Endocrine, Developmental, & Reproductive Toxicology, 2017-2018
- International Society for Developmental Psychobiology Travel Award, 2017
- Environmental Toxicology Scholar, 2016-2017
- Great Lakes National Scholarship Award, 2016-2017
- Rated Top 10% for Instructor’s Overall Teaching Effectiveness, Spring 2015
- List of Teachers Ranked As Excellent By Their Students, Spring 2014
- Abbott Laboratories Scholarship (for Certificate in Business program), Spring 2013
- Neuroscience Program Fellowship, 2012-2013
- Robert & Dorothy Spillman Scholarship, 2011
- Furnall Scholarship, Spring 2011
- LAS Assistance Award, Fall 2011
- University of Illinois Foundation Scholarship, Fall 2011