Download Meet our Dart team

Meet our team
Dr. Caitlin Murphy, Senior Toxicologist: Dr. Murphy has 10 years of experience as a researcher
in developmental and reproductive physiology and toxicology. Prior to joining Smithers Avanza's
toxicology team, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin in the Division
of Pharmacology and Toxicology. She has extensive scientific knowledge in diverse disciplines
including rodent toxicity, drug discovery toxicology, immunotoxicology, and reproductive and
developmental toxicology. She specializes in rodent reproductive toxicology with previous
experience including fertility (male and female), prenatal and postnatal development, endocrine
screening, and multigenerational studies. She has directed and designed numerous toxicology
studies using animal and in vitro models to evaluate drug safety and environmental toxicants. Dr.
Murphy has over 20 publications/presentations in scientific journals and/or conferences.
Dr. Stephen Harris, Consultant: Dr. Harris is an internationally recognized expert in
developmental and reproductive toxicology. He is a retained consultant and a member of the
Scientific Advisory Board for Smithers Avanza's Toxicology Services division. He is working with
our staff to refresh developmental and reproductive toxicology experience and to generate
additional historical control data. He is also available to review study outcomes and address
questions from regulatory agencies.
Dr. Mary Jeanne Kallman, Consultant: Dr. Kallman is a globally recognized expert in
neuroscience. She is a retained consultant and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for
Smithers Avanza's Toxicology Services division. She is working with our staff to refresh
neurotoxicity and behavioral assessment training. She is also available to review study outcomes
and address questions from regulatory agencies.
Mr. Blane Robertson, Senior Reproductive Pathology Technician: Mr. Robertson has over 36
years of experience conducting developmental and reproductive toxicology studies, specializing in
visceral and skeletal teratology evaluations, multigenerational study endpoints, and specialized
necropsy techniques. He has performed innumerable uterine examinations as well as fetal
examinations and evaluations, including gross, skeletal, and visceral examinations.
Smithers Avanza Toxicology Services, a division of Smithers Avanza
11 Firstfield Road | Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Visit us at www.SmithersAvanza.com.
Meet our team
Ms. Laura Murphy, Manager of Operations: Ms. Murphy has over 13 years of industry experience
including hands-on technical expertise, personnel oversight and study management. She is experienced in
multigenerational and developmental reproductive and neurotoxicology studies by the dermal and oral
routes of administration. Her technical proficiencies include dose administration via all standards routes,
animal restraint, clinical observations, physical exams and biological sample collections in rodents, rabbits,
guinea pigs, and canines. Ms. Murphy is knowledgeable of all government regulations including maintaining
in-life phases of small and large animal toxicology studies in compliance with Good Laboratory Practices
(GLPs), standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the study protocol. She has experience in project
scheduling, study coordination, laboratory operations, post-life and toxicology data review. This includes
study scheduling and management of multiple complex study designs and reproductive toxicity studies
running concurrently within a GLP regulated industry environment.
Mr. Mike Brunty, Director of Operations: Mr. Brunty has over 18 years of operational and leadership
experience in the CRO industry. He has technical experience in the areas of acute, chronic, sub-chronic,
dermal, neurological and reproductive toxicology. He is knowledgeable of all government regulations and
has operational responsibility for compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs); USDA Animal Welfare
regulations; standard operating procedures (SOPs); and the study protocol. Mr. Brunty provides oversight of
all study-related research activities with management responsibilities for the technical and supervisory staff.
In this role, he is also responsible for operational staff training and for facilitating effective communications
between all functional areas to maximize organizational effectiveness.
Dr. Michael A. Dorato, Executive Vice President, Smithers Avanza Toxicology Services:
Dr. Dorato has over 35 years of experience as a researcher and global leader of safety and efficacy in the
pharmaceutical and CRO industries. Prior to joining Smithers, he was the Vice President and CSO, Global
Discovery Services (Covance) and Executive Director, Toxicology (Eli Lilly and Co.). In these positions he
led global organizations in safety and efficacy lead optimization, investigative and regulatory toxicology,
discovery and late phase pathology, animal welfare, molecular and anatomical imaging, in vivo
pharmacology, veterinary medicine and model development.
Smithers Avanza Toxicology Services, a division of Smithers Avanza
11 Firstfield Road | Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Visit us at www.SmithersAvanza.com.