Dr Vanessa Viegas (DABT, ERT)

Vanessa is the Head of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, Principal Toxicologist (Human Health) at the Cobalt Institute. Vanessa joined Cobalt Institute in 2015 and has represented the Cobalt Institute in front of various stakeholders – including international regulators, national authorities, international conferences and industry. Vanessa is responsible for overseeing the Scientific and Regulatory Affairs function and collaborates with her colleagues within the Chemicals Management team to ensure the safe and responsible use of cobalt and cobalt substances. Specifically, delivering scientific, toxicological, and regulatory advice and data as related to global chemical regulations. This involves communication of complex scientific concepts to a general audience and working cross-functionally with other teams within the Cobalt Institute. As Principal Toxicologist (Human Health), Vanessa is also responsible for managing a large multi-year work programme to investigate the impact of cobalt and cobalt substances on human health.

Vanessa is a dual Canadian-British national and holds a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences from McMaster University, a MSc in Toxicology from University of Surrey and a PhD in Dermal Nanotoxicology from University of Hertfordshire in association with Public Health England. Vanessa is a certified Toxicologist with the American Board of Toxicology (DABT) and a European Registered Toxicologist (ERT/UKRT). She is a member of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) and the British Toxicology Society (BTS).