Richard E. Peterson, PhD, professor in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Division at the UW-Madison School of Pharmacy received the Society of Toxicology (SOT) Distinguished Toxicology Scholar Award at the 53rd Annual SOT Meeting and ToxExpo in Phoenix, Ariz., on March 23, 2014. SOT, a professional association of more than 7,000 toxicologists, annually honors an SOT member like Peterson whose active research has made significant contributions to the science of toxicology.

The SOT Distinguished Toxicology Scholar Award recognizes Peterson for his body of research around 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD or dioxin), a ubiquitous environmental contaminant which elicits a wide range of toxic responses. He published his first paper on dioxin in 1977 and now has published more than 275 additional peer-reviewed articles investigating the developmental and reproductive toxicity of dioxin. Peterson’s study of dioxin has led to several profound and noteworthy discoveries, including a new understanding of the effects of dioxin exposure on the reproductive system of several specimens, and paved the way for additional research.

Peterson joined the School of Pharmacy and the Environmental Toxicology Center at UW-Madison in 1975 and has served in a variety of roles, including long time Division Chair for Pharmaceutical Sciences. In carrying out his research, he has served as supervisor to dozens of graduate students and postdoctoral associates for whom he is most proud.