New York – October 12, 2026 -- Debra L. Laskin, PhD, a member of the Expert Panel for Fragrance Safety, has been named to the Forbes 2026 50 Over 50: Innovation list after a career of more than 40 years and over 350 published journal articles, reviews, book chapters and reports.
Forbes cites Laskin's research on immune responses to toxic chemicals
The annual list recognizes women whose experience, leadership and accomplishments continue to advance their fields. Laskin was honored for research into how the immune system responds to toxic chemicals and into the inflammatory mechanisms behind lung and liver injury. Her work has contributed to the development of medical countermeasures for chemical threats, including mustard agents.
Laskin chairs Rutgers pharmacology and toxicology department
Laskin is Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy. She also holds the Roy A. Bowers Endowed Chair of Pharmacy. She has trained and mentored scores of emerging scientists.
Panel chair Belsito credits Laskin's rigor and mentoring
Donald V. Belsito, MD, Chair of the Expert Panel for Fragrance Safety, said Laskin brings rigor, independence and intellectual curiosity to the panel. He added that her research has deepened understanding of how toxicants affect human health. Belsito is Leonard C. Harber Professor Emeritus in the Department of Dermatology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Clinical Professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at New York University Grossman School of Medicine.
Laskin brings toxicology expertise to independent fragrance safety reviews
On the panel, Laskin contributes expertise in inflammatory mechanisms, pulmonary and hepatic toxicology, immunotoxicology and disease pathogenesis. The panel is an independent body of academic scientists that reviews the scientific activities of the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM). It also determines scientific study design and interprets findings for their relevance to human health and environmental protection. The panel selects its own members, who serve on a rotating basis.