STUDENT: Travis Cook
Toxicology, PhD
Education
MS, Industrial Hygiene, University of Washington
BS, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Minnesota - Duluth
BA, Chemistry, University of Minnesota - Duluth
Advisor
Christopher Simpson
Research
Prior to arriving at the University of Washington, my research was largely focused in chemistry. As an undergrad I worked on improving the efficiency of supercritical fluid chromatography systems. Following my graduation, I worked on synthesizing novel molecules for application in laundry detergents at a leading fragrance company in Geneva, Switzerland. At the UW I am using metabolomics to monitor blood plasma metabolite changes as a result of exposure to the organophosphorous pesticide chlorypyrifos. OP pesticides, which are widely used in agriculture in the United States, are recognized as cholinesterase enzyme inhibitors. Metabolomics is an emerging technology, but its use in investigating response from environmental exposures has rarely been reported to this date. This work has the potential to identify relevant biomarkers of exposure, thereby making quantification of pesticide exposure in poisoned individuals more reliable than current means afford.
Extracurricular Interests
Outdoors - (ice) fishing, hunting, general recreation preferably involving a lake (water skiing, sailing, swimming..the list is endless!). Sports - playing, attending, watching.
