Bethany Hannas, PhD, DABT

Who you are and what is your area of expertise?

I am a developmental and reproductive toxicologist (DART) at Eli Lilly & Company, where I have worked since 2021. Before Lilly, I worked at Dow Chemical and Corteva Agriscience, where I also focused on DART. In these roles, I have had the opportunity to do research focused on developmental thyroid toxicology, steroid hormone signaling, and DART associated with numerous chemical and pharmaceutical compounds.

How did you become interested in the field?

I became interested in DART in graduate school. I worked in an environmental toxicology laboratory, focusing on developmental effects of chemicals on invertebrate species. My graduate research focused on elucidating mechanisms driving steroid hormone disruption in water fleas (Daphnia magna). I learned molecular biology and protein analysis techniques to trace steps in steroid hormone signaling pathways. From this, my interests in signaling pathways, hormone activity, and their involvement in reproductive and developmental processes grew. I moved to mammalian models in my postdoc at the US EPA in the Reproductive Toxicology Branch and continued to research impact of chemical exposures on steroid hormone signaling during development.

Why did you join the Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention (BDRP)?

In 2013, I joined the toxicology laboratory at Dow Chemical, where I was surrounded by thought leaders in the DART field. These mentors encouraged me to join the BDRP community, and I attended my first meeting in Bellevue, Washington, in 2014. This was a great experience and my interest and involvement in the Society grew from there. I have had the opportunity to serve on several committees, chair and present in sessions, and serve in mentoring events for trainee members.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of science?

I love spending time with my family. Our family enjoys traveling, going to the beach, biking, attending the kids' sports events, and doing cooking and house projects together. I love distance running and enjoy exploring cities through marathons. I'm looking forward to trying ultra-marathons in the future.

What do you hope to give to and receive from the BDRP community?

My involvement with the BDRP community has been incredibly rewarding, both professionally and personally. I hope to continue contributing by sharing my expertise in developmental and reproductive toxicology, mentoring new members, and participating in collaborative projects. In return, I look forward to gaining insights from my peers, staying updated on the latest advancements in the field, and fostering meaningful connections that can drive innovation and progress in our shared endeavors.