Laura Custer, PhD
About Laura Custer, PhD
Laura Custer, PhD, is the Scientific Senior Director at Bristol Myers Squibb in New Brunswick, New Jersey, with extensive experience in drug safety evaluation and genetic toxicology.
Company
Laura Custer, Ph.D., currently serves as the Scientific Senior Director at Bristol Myers Squibb based in New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States. Her roles at the company have evolved over the years, reflecting a robust and dynamic career in drug safety and genetic toxicology.
Title
Laura Custer has held various pivotal roles at Bristol Myers Squibb. Presently, she is the Scientific Senior Director. Previously, she served as Research Fellow in Drug Safety Evaluation (2016-2021), Associate Director in Dept. of Genetic Toxicology (2011-2016), Principal Scientist (2007-2010), Sr. Research Investigator II in Drug Safety Evaluation (2003-2007), Sr. Research Investigator I in Lead Safety Assessment (2002-2003), and Research Investigator I in Lead Safety Assessment (1999-2000). Before joining Bristol Myers Squibb, Custer worked at Covance Laboratories as a Study Director from 1989 to 1998.
Education and Expertise
Laura Custer earned her B.S. in Microbiology from Penn State University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from American University. Her research expertise encompasses predictive mutagenicity, genotoxicity regulatory strategy, and in silico evaluation. Custer has authored papers and book chapters and has presented her research at many scientific forums.
Professional Background
Before her current role, Laura Custer guided teams and initiatives in various capacities at Bristol Myers Squibb. Her experience extends across drug safety evaluation, genetic toxicology, and lead safety assessments. Custer has a long-standing career marked by significant contributions to scientific leadership and regulatory strategies in genotoxicity testing.
Achievements and Contributions
Laura Custer has been an active member of the Environmental Molecular and Genomics Society (EMGS) for over 20 years, having served as Treasurer on the EMGS Executive Board from 2017 to 2020. She has also played a crucial role in the Genetic Toxicology Association by serving on the Scientific Program Committee and as Chair of the Board of Directors for the 2014 GTA meeting. Custer’s research on DNA repair of stereospecific BP diol-epoxides during her Ph.D. has been foundational to her work in genetic toxicology.