Joshua Gray, Ph.D.
A toxicologist by training, PROF Gray’s research is focused in two areas. His primary research focus investigates the interplay of oxidative stress and metabolism in the nematode worm C. elegans model system. He is principal investigator of a National Science Foundation-funded project entitled StressCURE: A Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Toolkit for Investigating Stressors in the C. elegans Model System.
PROF Gray is also the Coast Guard Academy’s subject matter expert in biological and chemical weapons. He served as Chief Scientist for the Coast Guard’s Wastewater Surveillance Program, assessing SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater as a means of performing surveillance at Coast Guard training centers and cutters, including the academy.
PROF Gray is actively involved in national scientific societies and organizations. A full member of the Society of Toxicology, PROF Gray currently serves as Councilor for the Society of Toxicology and on the Editorial Committee of the ToxMSDT Learning Module Workgroup. He previously served as President of the Northeast Society of Toxicology and chaired the SOT’s Learning Objectives Work Group to create the Undergraduate Toxicology Learning Framework, a resource that has been used throughout the nation. He has co-moderated several workshops throughout the northeast helping academic department create improvement plans that support evidence-based teaching practices and departmental leadership.
Education
- B.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1998, Pennsylvania State University
- Ph.D. Pathobiology, 2004, Pennsylvania State University
- Postdoctoral training, 2004-2008, Rutgers University
Courses Taught
- General Chemistry 1 and 2
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Preparedness and Response – Science and Strategy
Selected Publications
- Newell-Caito, J., S. Caito, J. Gray, J. Hall, J. Schroeder, J. Hartman, and M. Reynolds. (2026). Making Them Squirm: A Lesson Plan Using a C. elegans Aversion Assay. CourseSource 13. https://doi.org/10.24918/cs.2026.32
- Hall, G.J., E.J. Page, and J.P. Gray. (2024). Wastewater Surveillance of US Coast Guard Installations and Seagoing Military Vessels to Mitigate the Risk of COVID-19 Outbreaks, March 2021-August 2022. Public Health Reports,139(6):699-707. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549241236644
- Aleksunes, L.M., J.P. Gray, J. Meshanni, J.D. Laskin, and D.L. Laskin. (2024). Repurposing FDA-approved drugs to treat chemical weapon toxicities: Interactive case studies for trainees. Pharmacol Res Perspect 12(4):31229. https://doi.org/10.1002/prp2.1229
- Gray J.P. (2022). Pick Your Poison: A Semester-Long Case Study for Undergraduate Toxicology. CourseSource 9. https://doi.org/10.24918/cs.2022.46
- Casillas, R.P., N. Tewari-Singh, and J. P. Gray. (2021). Special issue: emerging chemical terrorism threats. Toxicol Mech Methods 31(4):239-241. https://doi.org/10.1080/15376516.2021.1904472
- Neumeister, S.M. and J.P. Gray. (2021). The Strategic National Stockpile: identification, support, and acquisition of medical countermeasures for CBRN incidents. Toxicol Mech Methods 31(4):308-321. https://doi.org/10.1080/15376516.2020.1853294
- Gray J.P., Curran C.P., Fitsanakis V.A., Ray S.D., Stine K.E., and Eidemiller B.J. 2019. Society of Toxicology Develops Learning Framework for Undergraduate Toxicology Courses Following the Vision and Change Core Concepts Model. Toxicol Sci. epub ahead of print. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/toxsci/kfz090
Selected Book Chapters
- Ray, S.D., J.P. Gray, and M.S. D’Souza. (2025) ADRs, ADEs, and Drug Interactions in Medicine: What’s New?. In: Ray, S.D. (Ed.), Side Effects of Drugs Annual 47th edition. Elsevier, Inc.
- Gray, J.P., C. Numamoto, D. Sakowski, and S.D. Ray. (2025) Case Studies on Side Effects of Metals and Metal Antagonists. In: Ray, S.D. (Ed.), Side Effects of Drugs Annual 47th edition. Elsevier Inc.
- Hussain, A., J. P. Gray, and S. D. Ray. (2025) NAION (non-arteric anterior ischemic optic neuropathy): Focus on semaglutide. In: Ray, S.D. (Ed.), Side Effects of Drugs Annual 47th edition. Elsevier Inc.
- Gray, J.P. (2023) Cotinine. In Wexler, P. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Toxicology, 4th edition vol 1. Elsevier Inc., Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824315-2.00623-0
- Gray, J.P. (2023) Benzo(a)pyrene. In Wexler, P. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Toxicology, 4th edition vol 1. Elsevier Inc., Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824315-2.01032-0
- Gray, J.P. (2023) Benz[a]anthracene. In Wexler, P. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Toxicology, 4th edition vol 1. Elsevier Inc., Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824315-2.00739-9
- Gray, J.P. (2023) 2-Acetylaminofluorine. In Wexler, P. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Toxicology, 4th edition vol 1. Elsevier Inc., Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824315-2.00689-8
- Gray, J.P. (2023) Acceptable Daily Intake. In Wexler, P. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Toxicology, 4th edition vol 1. Elsevier Inc., Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824315-2.00504-2
- Gray, J.P. and S.D. Ray. (2023) Society of Toxicology. In Wexler, P. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Toxicology, 4th edition vol 1. Elsevier Inc., Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824315-2.00677-1
Professional Affiliations
- Society of Toxicology – Full Member (1999-present)
- National Association of Biology Teachers (2019-present)
- Member of the MBL Society of the Marine Biological Laboratory
Professional Honors and Awards
- Civilian Service Commendation Medal, Office of Specialized Capabilities, US Coast Guard (2026)
- Civilian Employee of the Year (senior level) – U.S. Coast Guard Academy (2022)
- Captain Niels P. Thomsen Innovation Award, Honorable Mention, Science or Technology – U.S. Coast Guard (2021)
- Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal – U.S. Coast Guard Academy (2021)
- Civilian Employee of the Quarter – U.S. Coast Guard Academy (2021)
- Society of Toxicology – Undergraduate Educator Award (2018)
