Neurotoxicology Professor - Parkinson's, exposures

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

Dr. Ronald Tjalkens, Ph.D., is a Professor of Neurology and Translational Neuroscience with over 25 years of NIH-funded research experience in Neurotoxicology investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neuroinflammation and its role in the progression of neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. His expertise spans neurotoxicology, neuropharmacology, and the effects of environmental exposures—such as heavy metals, pesticides, neurotropic viruses, and pharmacologic agents—on the nervous system. He has extensive experience using translational models of neurodegeneration, advanced imaging techniques, and AI-based image analysis to evaluate neuroinflammatory injury and identify therapeutic targets in glial cells. Dr. Tjalkens has served as an expert witness in both civil and criminal cases involving neurotoxic injury, providing testimony on causation and mechanisms of neurological damage, and brings an internationally recognized record of scholarship, leadership in professional societies, and a history of success in complex, multidisciplinary scientific analysis. Summary of Qualifications • Full Professor with 25+ years of experience in neurotoxicology and neuroscience • Expert in environmental causes of Parkinson’s disease, including heavy metals and pesticides • Principal Investigator on >$20M in NIH, DOD, and foundation-funded research • 80+ peer-reviewed publications on neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and toxicant exposure Areas of Expertise • Neurotoxicology and neurodegenerative disease causation • Environmental exposures: pesticides, heavy metals, and solvents • Neuroinflammation, glial signaling, and protein aggregation • Causation analysis and mechanistic toxicology • High-content imaging and molecular neuropathology Education & Training • Ph.D., Toxicology – University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 1998 • B.S., Chemistry/Biochemistry – UC San Diego, 1992 • Postdoctoral Fellow, Neurotoxicology – University of Michigan, 1998–2001 Academic Positions • Professor, Toxicology and Neuroscience – Colorado State University, 2013–present • Associate Director, Center for Environmental Medicine – CSU, 2010–2017 • Associate Professor – CSU, 2007–2013 • Assistant Professor – CSU and Texas A&M, 2001–2007 Representative Grant Support (Selected) • NIH RIVER Grant (R35 ES035043, PI): $9.8M (2023–2031) — Environmental exposures and Parkinson’s disease • DOD NETP (PI): Neurotoxicant-induced PD mechanisms and therapeutics • Michael J. Fox Foundation: Multiple funded studies on glial-targeted therapeutics Selected Invited Presentations • NIEHS Symposium: Neurodegeneration and AI-Based Brain Imaging (2022) • Michael J. Fox Foundation: Environmental Triggers of Inflammation in Parkinson’s (2023) • Society of Toxicology: Parkinson’s Disease and Glial Reactivity (2024)