UL Scientists Win Top Awards for Vaping and Chemical Safety Research

ATLANTA, GA – February 17, 2026 – In a significant affirmation of their leading-edge work, scientists from UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights division are being honored with a series of prestigious awards for research that tackles some of today's most pressing public health challenges, from the biological impact of vaping to new paradigms in chemical risk assessment. The accolades will be presented at the 2026 Society of Toxicology (SOT) Annual Meeting in San Diego this March, underscoring the institute's pivotal role in advancing the science of public safety.

The multiple honors celebrate the groundbreaking contributions of several key researchers, most notably Dr. Xiaojia He and Dr. Katie Paul Friedman, whose work exemplifies the non-profit institute's mission to provide independent, unbiased science for a safer world.

Decoding the Dangers of Vaping

At the forefront of the recognitions is Dr. Xiaojia He, a research scientist in the Center for Toxicology and Human Health at Chemical Insights. Dr. He is the recipient of two major awards, highlighting her significant early-career contributions to toxicology. She has been awarded the 2026 American Association of Chinese in Toxicology (AACT) JOINN Biomere Outstanding Young Toxicologist Award, which honors a toxicologist of Chinese ethnic origin who has made a significant impact in the field.

Furthermore, Dr. He is the lead author of a study that earned the Paper of the Year Award from the SOT's Molecular and Systems Biology Specialty Section. The paper, titled “Multi-Omics Assessment of Puff Volume-Mediated Salivary Biomarkers of Metal Exposure and Oxidative Injury Associated with Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems,” was published in the high-impact journal Environmental Health Perspectives. This research provides a critical lens into the molecular-level damage caused by vaping.

Her work addresses a major public health concern. As e-cigarette use, particularly among young people, continues to challenge health authorities, understanding the precise biological consequences is paramount. Dr. He’s research moves beyond simply identifying harmful substances in vape aerosol; it uses advanced 'multi-omics' techniques to find specific biomarkers in saliva that indicate metal exposure and oxidative stress—a form of cellular damage. This provides a non-invasive way to measure the harm vaping can cause, linking exposure directly to a biological response in the human body. The research was a collaborative effort, with co-authorship from fellow Chemical Insights scientists Qian Zhang, Ph.D., Maureen Meister, Ph.D., and Patrick Chepaitis, under the leadership of Christa Wright, Ph.D., Senior Research Director.

The findings are especially timely. While the long-term effects of vaping are still under investigation, scientific evidence continues to mount regarding its risks, including lung inflammation, suppressed immune defenses, and the addictive power of nicotine, which can harm adolescent brain development. Dr. He's award-winning study provides a powerful new tool for assessing these risks with greater precision.

A New Paradigm for Chemical Safety

While Dr. He’s work focuses on a specific consumer product, other awards recognize the institute's broader efforts to revolutionize how chemical safety is assessed altogether. Dr. Katie Paul Friedman, Director of the Center for Chemical Informatics and Screening, has been a central figure in this movement, earning multiple accolades for her leadership.

Dr. Paul Friedman is the recipient of the 2026 SOT Achievement Award, a major honor given to a member who has made significant contributions to toxicology within 15 years of earning their highest degree. Her work centers on the development and implementation of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), a suite of advanced techniques designed to evaluate chemical safety more efficiently, ethically, and with greater human relevance than traditional animal testing.

NAMs encompass a range of in vitro (cell-based), in chemico (chemical-based), and in silico (computer modeling) methods. They are crucial for addressing a vast and persistent problem: the tens of thousands of chemicals in commerce for which there is little to no toxicity data. Traditional animal testing is too slow, expensive, and ethically fraught to close this gap. NAMs offer a path forward, allowing scientists to rapidly screen chemicals for potential hazards and prioritize them for further investigation.

Dr. Paul Friedman’s influence is evident in two award-winning papers. She led a study titled “Integration of New Approach Methods for the Assessment of Data-Poor Chemicals,” which won the 2025 Best Published Paper award from the SOT Risk Assessment Specialty Section. Published in Toxicological Sciences, the paper notably included co-authors from regulatory agencies around the world, signaling its direct impact on the global bodies responsible for chemical management. The work was co-authored by Chemical Insights colleagues John Wambaugh, Ph.D., and Russell Thomas, Ph.D., Vice President and Executive Director.

Additionally, a paper co-authored by Drs. Paul Friedman and Wambaugh, “Interpretation of thyroid-relevant bioactivity data for comparison to in vivo exposures,” received an Honorable Mention for the 2025 Best Paper Award from the SOT Biological Modeling Specialty Section. This work advances methods for understanding how chemical exposures might disrupt the thyroid system, a critical component of human health.

The Power of Independent, Mission-Driven Science

These individual and team achievements are rooted in the unique structure and mission of UL Research Institutes. As an independent, non-profit organization with a history stretching back to 1894, its mandate is to advance public safety through scientific discovery, free from commercial pressures that can influence research outcomes. This independence allows its Chemical Insights division to tackle complex and sometimes controversial topics with scientific rigor and a clear focus on protecting human health.

The impact of this model extends beyond academic papers and awards. The institute has a proven track record of translating its findings into real-world safety standards. For instance, its research into the health risks posed by emissions from 3D printers—specifically ultrafine particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—directly led to the creation of a national standard, CAN/ANSI/UL2904, to ensure these devices are designed and operated more safely.

By collaborating with a wide network of partners, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the institute ensures its scientific discoveries are disseminated broadly and integrated into policy, industry practices, and public education. The multiple awards from the Society of Toxicology serve as a powerful external validation of this approach, confirming that the work being done at UL Research Institutes is not only scientifically excellent but also essential for navigating the chemical risks of the modern world.