Kristine L. Willett

 

University of Mississippi

Department of Pharmacology

Environmental Toxicology Research Program

315 Faser Hall, Box1848

University, MS 38677

(662) 915-6691

kwillett@olemiss.edu

 

 

EDUCATION

1989 – 1993   University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

                        B.A. with Honors and Distinction in Chemistry

 

1993 – 1997   Texas A&M University

                        Ph.D. in Toxicology, Reagents Fellow

Dr. Stephen Safe, Advisor.

Thesis: Development of bioassays for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon contamination in the marine environment.

 

EMPLOYMENT

1987 - 1989    Summer Research Assistant, Ohio Agricultural Research and Developmental Center, Animal Science Department, Rumen Microbiology Laboratory and Laboratory for Pesticide Control and Application Technologies.

 

1990                Professional Intern, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Environmental Sciences Division, Biogeochemistry Section.

 

1991 - 1992    Summer Intern, Chemical Industries Institute of Toxicology, Experimental Pathology and Toxicology Division, Teratology Section and Biochemical Toxicology Section.

 

1993                Research Assistant, Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, Department of Geosciences.

 

1997 - 1998    Dreyfus Postdoctoral Fellow in Environmental Chemistry, Indiana University. Dr. Ronald Hites, Advisor.

 

1998 - 2000    RJR Leon Golberg Fellowship in Toxicology, Duke University. Dr. Richard DiGiulio, Advisor.

 

2000 -              Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, Environmental Toxicology Research Program, University of Mississippi

 

2006-               Associate Professor of Pharmacology, Environmental Toxicology Research Program, University of Mississippi

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

 

Duke University

 

          ENV212:Environmental Toxicology, Instructor of Record. Masters and PhD students in Nicholas School of the Environment. Fall 1999

 

University of Mississippi

 

          PHCL381:Introduction to Toxicology, Instructor of Record. Undergraduate Pharmacy and Forensic Chemistry students. 3 credits. Traditional and Online Format. 

          PHCL675:Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Instructor of Record. Graduate Pharmacology students. 4 credits. 

          PHCL651:Directed Studies in Pharmacology and Toxicology, Instructor of Record. Graduate Pharmacology students. 1 credit. 

          PHCL541:Problems in Pharmacology, Instructor of Record. Graduate Pharmacology students. 2 credits.  

          MEDC317:Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacoimmunology. Co-instructor, teach 1/3^rdof course. P3 Professional Pharmacy Students. 3 credits. 

          Also guest lectures in PHCL676: Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology II, GE460:Waste Management, CHEM105: General Chemistry

 

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

 

Society of Toxicology (Molecular Biology Specialty Section)

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

 

GRANTS

 

Willett,K.L., and R.T. Di Giulio. Co-Principle Investigators, July 2000 – Jan. 2002. “Characterization of CYP1B1gene activation in fish for use as a possible marker of cancer resistance.” North Carolina Biotechnology Center.

 

Willett,K.L. Principle Investigator, March 2001 – May 2005 “Screening of environmental contaminants detected in Mississippi sediments as inducers and/or inhibitors of CYP1B1 expression in channel catfish.” State Water Resources Research Program.

 

Willett,K.L., Principle Investigator, 2001 “CYP1B1-Dependent estrogen metabolism and oxidative stress in two related species of catfish.” University of Mississippi Faculty Research Program.

 

Slattery,M., Principle Investigator, November 2000 - April 2003 “Environmental Toxicology Congressional Initiative Environmental Signals and Sensors” CDC. Participant in Cluster Three: Chemicals, genes and development: genetic factors in susceptibility to environmental agents, specifically characterizing the role of CYP1B1 as a marker of cancer susceptibility.

 

Willett,K.L. and C.M. Foran, Co-Investigators, August 2001 - August 2002.“Characterization of bioassays and chemical contaminants in croaker, oyster and sediments collected at two sites in the Mobile Bay National Estuary.” Mobile Bay National Estuary Program.

 

Willett,K.L. Principle Investigator, Dec. 2002 - Nov. 2003. “Characterization of flavonoids’ ability to decrease CYP1B1 activity.” American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy New Investigators Program.

 

Willett,K.L., Principle Investigator, Nov. 2003 – April 2004. “Flavonoid-mediated gene expression in human cancer cells.” Mississippi Functional Genomics Network SGO.

 

Slattery,M., Willett, K.L. Co-PIs “Biosensors” Nov. 2002 – October 2007. NOAA-National Institute of Undersea Science and Technology.

 

Willett,K.L. University of Mississippi Associates’ and Partners’ Program. Criterion Precast Gel Electrophoresis System and Blotter 12/10/03.

 

Willett,K.L., Principle Investigator, NIH R01. July 2004 – April 2009. Roles of CYP1& CYP19 in Fundulus Steroid & PAH Metabolism. NIH R01.

 

PUBLICATIONS

 

1.)    Willett, K.L., Loerch, S.C., and Willett, L.B. 1989. Effects of halogenated hydrocarbons on rumen microorganisms. J.Veterinary Diagnostic Investigations.1:120-123.

2.)    Willett, K.L., Turner, R.R and Beauchamp, J.J. 1992. Effect of chemical form of mercury on the performance of dosed soils in standard leaching protocols: EP and TCLP. Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials. 9:275-288.

3.)    Fister,T.F., Strossman, G.S., Willett, K.L., Odom, R.W. and Linton, R.W. 1995. In situ analysis of organic monolayers and their reactivity on single micrometer-sized particles by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. International J. of Mass Spectrometry & Ion Processes.143:87-111.

4.)    Willett,K., Steinberg, M., Thomsen, J., Narasimhan, T.R., Safe, S., McDonald, S., Beatty, K. and Kennicutt, M.C. 1995. Exposure of killifish to benzo[a]pyrene: comparative metabolism, DNA adduct formation and aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor agonist activities. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. 112B:93-103.

5.)    Bowes,R.C., Parrish, A.R., Steinberg, M.A., Willett, K.L., Zhao,W., Savas, U., Jefcoat, C.R., Safe, S.H. and Ramos, K.S. 1996. Atypical cytochrome P-450 induction profiles in glomerular mesangial cells at the mRNA and enzyme level. Biochemical Pharmacology. 52:587-595.

6.)    McDonald,S., Willett, K., Thomsen, J., Narasimhan, T.R., Connor, K., Beatty, K., Erickson, C., and Safe, S. 1996. Sublethal detoxification responses to contaminant exposure associated with offshore production platforms. Canadian J. Fisheries Aquatic Sciences. 53:2606-2617.

7.)    Hoivik,D., Wilson, C., Wang, W., Willett, K., Barhoumi, R., Burghardt, R. and Safe, S.1997. Studies on the relationship between estrogen receptor content, glutathione S-transferase p expression and induction by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and drug resistance in human breast cancer cells. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 348:174-182.

8.)    Fiedler,H., Cooper, K., Bergek,S., Hjelt, M., Rappe, C., Bonner, M., Howell, F., Willett, K. and Safe, S. 1998. PCDD, PCDF, and PCB in farm-raised catfish from Southeast United States. Chemosphere.37:1645-1656.

9.)    Hoivik,D., Willett, K., Wilson, C. and Safe, S. 1997. Estrogen does not modulate 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin mediated effects in MCF-7 and Hepa 1c1c7cells. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 272:30270-30274.

10.)  Willett,K.L., Gardinali, P., Sericano, J., Wade, T. and Safe, S.H. 1997.Characterization of the H4IIE rat hepatoma cell bioassay for the evaluation of environmental samples containing polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 32:442-448.

11.)  Willett,K.L., McDonald, S.J., Steinberg, M.A., Beatty, K.B., Kennicutt, M.C. and Safe,S.H. 1997. Biomarker sensitivity for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon contamination in two marine fish species collected in Galveston Bay, Texas. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 16:1472-1479.

12.)  Willett,K.L., Randerath, K., Zhou, G-D. and Safe, S.H. 1998. Inhibition of CYP1A1activities by the PAH fluoranthene. Biochemical Pharmacology. 55:831-839.

13.)  Willett,K.L., Ulrich, E.M. and Hites, R.A. 1998. Differential toxicity and environmental fates of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers. Environmental Science and Technology. 32:2197-2207.

14.)  Willett,K.L., Wilson, C., Thomsen, J. and Porter, W. 1999. Evidence for and against the presence of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon and 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-p-dioxin binding proteins in marine mussels. Aquatic Toxicology. 48:51-64.

15.)  Willett,K.L., and Hites, R.A. 2000. Chemical actinometry: Using o-nitrobenzaldehyde to measure lamp intensity in photochemical experiments. Journal of Chemical Education. 77:900-902.

16.)  Willett,K.L., Gardinali, P.R., Lienesch, L.A. and Di Giulio, R.T. 2000. Comparative metabolism and excretion of benzo(a)pyrene in two species of Ictalurid catfish. Toxicological Sciences. 58:68-76.

17.)  Ulrich,E.M., Willett, K.L., Caperell-Grant, A., Bigsby, R.M. and Hites, R.A. 2001.Understanding enantioselective processes: A laboratory rat model for a-hexachlorocyclohexane (a-HCH) accumulation. Environmental Science and Technology. 35:1604-1609.

18.)  Willett,K.L., Lienesch, L.A. and Di Giulio, R.T. 2001. No detectable DNA excision repair in UV-exposed hepatocytes from two species catfish. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. 128C:349-358.

19.)  Willett,K.L., Wassenberg, D., Lienesch, L.A., Reichert, W. and Di Giulio, R.T. 2001. In vivo and in vitro inhibition of CYP1A-dependent activity in Fundulus heteroclitus by the polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) fluoranthene. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.177:264-271.

20.)  Zhang,L., Khan, I.A., Willett, K.L., Foran, C.M. 2003. In vivo effects of black cohosh and genistein on estrogenic activity and lipid peroxidation in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy. 3(3):33-50.

21.)  Contractor,R., Foran, C.M., Li, S., and Willett, K.L. 2004. Evidence of sex and tissue specific promoter methylation and the potential for ethinylestradiol-induced changes in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) estrogen receptor and aromatase genes. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health 67A:1-22.

22.)  Annavarapu,S., Foran, C.M., Gardinali, P., Metzger, C., and Willett, K.L. 2004. Comparison of two sites in Mobile Bay using in vivo biomarkers in largemouth bass, sediment bioassays, and sediment contaminant analysis. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 46:502-510.

23.)  Butala,H., Metzger, C., Rimoldi, J., and Willett, K.L., 2004. Microsomal estrogen metabolism in channel catfish. Marine Environmental Research. 58:489-494.

24.)  Willett,K.L. and Bouldin, A.S., 2004. Development and assessment of an online elective toxicology course. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education.68 (#57):1-9.

25.)  Willett,K.L., Roth, R.A., and Walker, L. 2004. Workshop overview: Hepatotoxicity assessment for botanical dietary supplements. Toxicological Sciences. 79:4-9.

26.)  Tabanca,N., Khan, S.I., Bedir, E., Annavarapu, S., Willett, K.L., Khan, I.A., Kirimer,N., and Baser, K.H.C. 2004. Estrogenic activity of isolated compounds and essential oils of Pimpinella species from Turkey, Evaluated using a recombinant yeast screen. PlantaMedica. 70:728-735.

27.)  Chaudhary,A.M. and Willett, K.L. 2006. Inhibition of human cytochrome CYP1 enzymes by flavonoids of St. John’s wort. Toxicology. 217:194-205.

28.)  Patel,M.R., Scheffler, B.E., and Willett, K.L. 2006. Effects of benzo(a)pyrene exposure on killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) aromatase activities and mRNA. Aquatic Toxicology. 77:267-278.

29.) Willett, K.L., Ganesan, S., Patel, M., Metzger, C.M., Quiniou, S., Waldbieser, G., Scheffler, B. 2006. In vivo and in vitro CYP1B mRNA expression in channel catfish. Marine Environmental Research. 62: S332-S336.

30.) Zhu, N., Lightsey, D., Foroozesh, M., Alworth, W., Chaudhary, A., Willett, K.L., and Stevens, C.L.K. 2006. Naphthoflavone propargyl ether inhibitors of cytochrome P450. Journal of Chemical Crystallography. DOI: 10.1007/s10870-005-9061-5

31.) Rao, K.V., Donia, MS., Yousaf, M., Reddy, M.K., Martin-Aparicio, E., Garcia-Palomero, E., Alonso, D., Martinez, A., Medina, M., Franzblau, S.G., Tekwani, B.L., Khan, S.I., Wahyuono, S., Willett, K.L., and Hamann, M.T., New Manzamine B, E- and ircinal A related alkaloids from an Indonesian Acanthostrongylophora sponge and their activity against infectious, tropical parasitic and alzheimer’s diseases. Journal of Natural Products. (submitted).

32.) Wang, L., Scheffler, B.E., and Willett, K.L. CYP1C1 mRNA expression is inducible by benzo(a)pyrene in Fundulus heteroclitus embryos and adults. (submitted).

 

 

BOOK CHAPTERS

1.) Marsh, K.E., Willett, K.L., Foran, C.M. and Brooks, B.W. 2003. Aquatic Resources and Human Health. Chapter 3. In “A Web of Connections: Achieving Sustainable Freshwater Systems.” Island Press. Eds: Holland, MM., Blood, E. and Shaffer, L.R. pp 65-83.

2.) Schlenk, D., James, M. George, S., Gallagher, E., Willett, K., van den Hurk,P., Kullman, S., and Celander, M. Biotransformation in Fishes - Chapter 4. In: The Toxicology of Fishes. Editors R.T. DiGiulio and D.E. Hinton. In press. CRC Press.

 

GRADUATE STUDENT COMMITTEES

M.S. Committees

 

   1.) Rooha Contractor – Thesis Co-Advisor (Defense 12/02) Title: Analysis of estrogen receptor and aromatase genes in Japanese medaka: Characterization of promoter methylation.

   2.) Luling Zhang – Thesis Co-Advisor (Defense 12/02) Title: Biological activity of natural product components in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes): determining estrogenicity and antioxidative potential.

   3.) Srinivas Annavarapu – Thesis Advisor (Defense 07/24/03) Title: Use of bioassays to determine receptor-mediated induction of cytochrome P4501A and estrogenic activity in sediment and natural product samples.

   4.) Monali Master Patel – Thesis Advisor (Defense 11/21/03) Title: Effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on CYP19 and CYP1B expression in teleosts.

   5.) Harshala Butala - Thesis Committee (Dr.Ajit Sadana, advisor; Defense 07/25/03). Department of Engineering. Title: A fractal analysis of estrogen estrogen-receptor interactions and estrogen metabolism in two related species of catfish.

   6.) Rebecca Rummer - Thesis Advisory Committee (Biology student at West Virginia University; Dr. Foran, advisor. Defense 3/29/04) Title: The effect of environmental chemicals on glioblastoma cell growth.

   7.) Zankhana Master - Thesis Advisor (Defense 12/02/04) Title: Effects of flavonoids on CYP1 expression in RL95-2 endometrial carcinoma cells.

   8.) Ranjita Kokje - Thesis Advisory Committee (Dr. Robert Speth, advisor, Defense 11/06). Title: Central effects of aminopeptidase-resistant angiotensin II analogs in the rat.

   9.) Surinder Kaur - Thesis Advisory Committee (Dr. Robert Speth, advisor, Defense 04/25/06). Title: Pharmacological characterization of brain angiotensin II receptor function and ligand binding.

   10.) Xueqing Wang - Thesis Advisory Committee (Dr. Asok Dasmahapatra, advisor, Defense 04/27/06). Title: Ethanol toxicity in Japanese medaka embryogenesis: A mechanistic study.

 

Ph.D. Committees

 

1.) Duane Huggett - Dissertation Committee (Dr. Waters, advisor, Defense 06/29/01) Department of Pharmacology. Title: Human and ecological risk of selected therapeutic agents.

 

2.) Anand Ramakrishnan- Dissertation Committee (Dr. Ajit Sadana, advisor; Defense 07/22/02) Department of Engineering. Title: A fractal analysis of analyte-receptor binding and dissociation kinetics for biosensor and biomedical applications.

 

3.) Kenosha Hobson - Dissertation Committee (Dr. Petigo, advisor; Defense 09/18/03) Department of Chemistry. Title: The ligand-linked stability of the C-domain of calmodulin.

 

4.) Francis Tukov – Dissertation Committee (Dr. Matthews, advisor; Defense 11/20/03) Department of Pharmacology. Title: Biochemical and mechanistic studies on the toxicity of repin, a major sesquiterpene lactone isolated from Centaura repens.

 

5.)  Amit Chaudhary – Dissertation Committee, chair. (PhD Candidate in Pharmacology, completing research).

 

6.) Lu Wang – Dissertation Committee, chair. (Graduate student in Pharmacology, completing research).

 

7.) Shiqian Zhu - Dissertation Committee, chair. (PhD Candidate in Pharmacology, completing research).

 

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT MENTORING

 

1.)  Diana Kahle, Mississippi School for Math and Science. “Cytochrome P450 inhibition by flavonoids found in natural products”. Summer 2001.

 

2.)   Jason Hudson, an UM Forensic Chemistry major. “HPLC detection of BaP Metabolites”. Fall and Spring 2002.

 

3.)   LaDiedra Jackson, an SRIU undergraduate Biology major from Mississippi Valley State University. “BaP induced changes in promoter methylation in Japanese medaka”. Summer 2003.

 

4.)  Scharri Ezell, an undergraduate Chemistry major from Tougaloo College, participated in the Ronald McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. “Aromatase expression during the developmental process”. Summer 2004.

 

5.) Kimberly Jefferson, an SRIU undergraduate Biology major from Mississippi Valley State University. “The developmental effects of benzo(a)pyrene on developing Fundulus heteroclitus embryos”. Summer 2004.

 

6. ) Dolaclisha Ross and Wesley Bowen, undergraduate UM Forensic Chemistry majors, “Estrogen metabolism by RL95-2 endometrial cells” Fall 2004.

 

7.) Deborah Leslie, undergraduate UM Forensic Chemistry major, “Method development for measuring benzo[a]pyrene concentrations in waterborne, injected and maternally exposed Fundulus heteroclitus eggs, and development of a BaP metabolite HPLC-MS method” Fall 2005.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

8.) Beth Emerson, undergraduate UM Forensic Chemistry major, “Analysis of Mississippi and Alabama water and suspended sediment samples after Hurricane Katrina with the H4IIE assay” Spring 2006.

 

9.) Hallie Freyaldenhoven, Mississippi School for Math and Science. “Effects of P450 inhibitors on Fundulus development and CYP1 expression”. Summer 2006.