“NCTR provides reliable research data 

to support FDA’s public health 

mission. Please take a moment to 

learn about the scientific expertise, 

collaborations, and innovative 

research at NCTR.”

Tucker Patterson, Ph.D.

Acting Center Director

NCTR Leadership

Tucker Patterson, Ph.D.

Acting Director

(870) 543-7517

Gonçalo Gamboa da Costa, Ph.D.

Senior Science Advisor

(870) 543-7400

Donna Mendrick, Ph.D.

Associate Director for Regulatory 

Activities

(301) 796-8892

NCTR Research Contacts

Biochemical Toxicology

Frederick Beland, Ph.D.

870-543-7205 

Bioinformatics and Biostatistics

Weida Tong, Ph.D.

870-543-7142

Genetic and Molecular Toxicology

Robert Heflich, Ph.D.

870-543-7493

Microbiology

Steve Foley, Ph.D.

870-543-7547

Nanotechnology

Anil Patri, Ph.D.

870-543-7580

Neurotoxicology

John Talpos, Ph.D.

870-543-7329

Scientific Coordination

Bradley Schnackenberg, Ph.D.

870-543-7276

Systems Biology

Laura Schnackenberg, Ph.D.

870-543-7986

To learn more about NCTR, visit 

www.fda.gov/nctr

3900 NCTR Rd

Jefferson, AR 72079-9501

NATIONAL CENTER 

FOR 

TOXICOLOGICAL 

RESEARCH

(NCTR)
National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR)

NCTR Expertise

• Analytical chemistry

• Antimicrobial resistance and pathogenicity

• Advanced imaging

• Bioinformatics and biostatistics (data 

mining)

• Biomarker development

• Genetic toxicology assay development

• Microphysiological systems 

• Neurochemistry, neuropathology, and 

behavioral studies

• PBPK modeling

• Reproductive and developmental 

toxicology

NCTR identifies new biomarkers of toxicity 

using traditional and innovative genomics, 

metabolomics, proteomics, epigenetics, and 

imaging technologies and approaches. 

NCTR Collaborations

• FDA product centers and offices

• Academia and medical centers

• Government agencies

• Industry

Why NCTR?

Competitive salaries, pension, 

thrift savings plan, and low cost 

of living

Partnerships with higherlearning institutions

Diversity and inclusion 

initiatives

Work-life balance, remote work

options, and flex schedules

• Recognized worldwide as a leading 

research facility with experienced 

scientific staff

Facilities

• FDA-owned facility 

• Flexible space to adapt to research 

needs

• >1 million square feet in 30 buildings

• >100 experimental laboratories 

• >75 AAALAC-accredited laboratories

• Nanotechnology Facility

• Inhalation Toxicology Facility

• Bioimaging Facility

Evolving Scientific Areas

• Artificial intelligence (machine learning, 

text mining, in silico modeling)

• Microbiome and host interactions

• Microorganism detection in FDAregulated products

• New alternative models 

• Omics (genomics, metabolomics, 

proteomics, epigenetics)

• Perinatal and maternal health

• Rare diseases

• Research addressing the unmet needs of 

minority and at-risk populations

• Translational and precision medicine

NCTR Research Goals

1) Advance the scientific 

knowledge and research data 

required to support public health

2) Develop and evaluate the next 

generation of science and 

emerging technologies

3) Address emerging public 

health challenges (product

contaminants, antimicrobial

resistance, viruses)

4) Collaborate with FDA product 

centers and offices to address 

issues of regulatory concern

5) Promote global outreach and 

collaborative research