I began my scientific career as a clinical cytogeneticist, spending 15 years in the field.  I have engaged in biomedical research, specifically in toxicology for over 25 years. My research has focused primarily on chromosomal changes associated with exposure to toxic metals and the underlying regulatory functions and proteins that malfunction as a result of exposure. I have investigated the mechanisms behind numerical chromosome instability, including spindle assembly checkpoint bypass and centrosome dysregulation. I have also investigated the mechanisms of structural chromosome instability, showing that while metals can induce DNA double strnad breaks they also inhibit the proper rapair of those breaks. Together, these lead to severe chromsosome instabilty and the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells leading to tumorigenesis and cancer.