Jennifer R. McCall
Associate Professor
Jen McCall is an Associate Professor in the Clinical Research Program at the School of Nursing and also the co-founder and CSO of the spin-out SeaTox Research. Her work focuses on the interface of marine/environmental science and product development to translate scientific innovations into useful products and medicines for the public. Her research includes investigating the inflammatory effects of environmental contaminates and toxins (like PFAS or marine toxins) on the immune system, as well as development of new therapies that can be used to alter activation states of macrophages to reduce inflammation. In addition, she creates and develops biosensors and assays for marine toxins that contaminate commercially and culturally important seafood. She collaborates with multiple partners across academia, industry, and federal agencies, with the ultimate goal of improving access for user-friendly and inexpensive testing methods in remote areas.
Education
PhD in Biology, UNC Charlotte
MBA in the business of biotechnology, UNCW Wilmington
MS in Biology, UNC Charlotte
BS in Biology, UNC Chapel Hill
Research Interests
Inflammation
Macrophage Activation/Polarization
Marine Toxins
Assay Development
Honors & Awards
The WilmingtonBiz 100: Innovators (2019, 2023)
Coastal Entrepreneur Award: Biotechnology (2021)
James F. Merritt Million Dollar Club, UNCW (2020)
WILMA Magazine’s Women to Watch, business category (2017)