M. Chiara Perego, Ph.D.

M. Chiara Perego, DVM, Ph.D. is an Associate Scientist at The Burdock Group, a safety and regulatory consulting firm headquartered in Orlando, FL.

 

Chiara's experience includes the analysis of toxicity data, conducting safety and risk assessments and is well-versed in in-vitro cell culture models, stem cell toxicology, developmental toxicology, and molecular biology. She earned her DVM from the University of Milan, a Master of Science in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University, and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Clemson University.  Chiara is co-author of one book chapter in the Handbook of Foodborne Diseases and has authored over 15 peer reviewed publications (listed below).

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As an Associate Scientist at The Burdock Group, Chiara is responsible for evaluating safety and toxicity data and conducting safety and risk assessments for our clients.  Additionally, Chiara facilitates the development and management of safety studies, protocols, reporting and monitoring.  She also provides general consulting services, compiling safety and regulatory compliance documentation for food ingredients, pet food and animal feed. 

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Chiara's track record includes generating technical reports, confidential reviews and regulatory assessments, food additive petitions, Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) self-determination and notifications for her clients.  She also helps guide food and feed ingredient companies to comply with the US Food and Drug (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) regulations.  

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Specialties:

• Animal feed ingredients

• Pet food

• AAFCO ingredient definitions

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Publications:

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Perego MC, McMichael BD, McMurry NR, Ventrello SW, Bain LJ. (2023) Arsenic impairs differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into cholinergic motor neurons. Toxics; 11(8):644.

 

Perego MC, McMichael BD, Bain LJ. (2023) Arsenic impairs stem cell differentiation via the Hippo signaling pathway. Toxicol Res; 12(2):296-309.

 

Perego MC, Bellitto N, Maylem ERS, Caloni F, Spicer LJ. (2021) Effects of selected hormones and their combination on progesterone and estradiol production and proliferation of feline granulosa cells cultured in vitro. Theriogenology; 168:1-12.

 

McMichael B, Perego MC, Darling C, Perry R, Coleman S, Bain L. (2020) Long-term arsenic exposure impairs differentiation in mouse embryonal stem cells. J Appl Toxicol;41(7):1089-1102.

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Bertero A, Colombo G, Cortinovis C, Bassi V, Moschini E, Bellitto N, Perego MC, Albonico M, Astori E, Dalle-Donne I, Gedanken A, Perelshtein I, Mantecca P, Caloni F. (2021) In vitro copper oxide nanoparticle toxicity on intestinal barrier. J Appl Toxicol; 41(2):291-302.

 

Perego MC, Morrell BC, Zhang L, Schütz LF, Spicer LJ. (2020) Developmental and hormonal regulation of ubiquitin-like with plant homeodomain and really interesting new gene finger domains 1 gene expression in ovarian granulosa and theca cells of cattle. J Anim Sci; 98(7).

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Morrell BC, Perego MC, Maylem ERS, Zhang L, Schütz LF, Spicer LJ. (2020) Regulation of the transcription factor E2F1 mRNA in ovarian granulosa cells of cattle. J Anim Sci; 98(1).

 

Morrell BC, Zhang L, Schütz LF, Perego MC, Maylem ERS, Spicer LJ. (2019) Regulation of the transcription factor E2F8 gene expression in bovine ovarian cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol; 498:110572.

 

Feng T, DeVore AA, Perego MC, Morrell BC, Spicer LJ. (2019) Effects of N-carbamylglutamate and arginine on steroidogenesis and proliferation of pig granulosa cells in vitro. Anim Reprod Sci; 209:106138.

 

Nichols JA, Perego MC, Schütz LF, Hemple AM, Spicer LJ. (2019) Hormonal regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) gene expression in granulosa and theca cells of cattle. J Anim Sci; 97(7):3034-3045.

 

Colombo G, Cortinovis C, Moschini E, Bellitto N, Perego MC, Albonico M, et al. (2019) Cytotoxic and proinflammatory responses induced by ZnO nanoparticles in in vitro intestinal barrier. J Appl Toxicol; 39(8):1155-1163.

 

Nagy AL, Cortinovis C, Spicer LJ, Perego MC, Caloni F. (2018) Long-established and emerging pesticide poisoning in horses. Equine Veterinary Education; 31(9):496-500.

 

Morcillo SM, Perego MC, Vizuete J, Caloni F, et al. (2018) Reference intervals for B-esterases in gull, Larus michahellis (Nauman, 1840) from Northwest Spain: influence of age, gender, and tissue. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int; 25(2):1533-1542.

 

Feng T, Schutz LF, Morrell BC, Perego MC, Spicer LJ. (2018) Effects of N-carbamylglutamate and L-arginine on steroidogenesis and gene expression in bovine granulosa cells. Anim Reprod Sci; 188:85-92.

 

Prosperini A, Berrada H, Ruiz MJ, Caloni F, Coccini T, Spicer L, Perego MC, Lafranconi A. (2017) A review of the mycotoxin Enniantin B. Front Public Health; 5:304.

 

Feng T, Schutz LF, Morrell BC, Perego MC, Spicer LJ. (2018) Effect of melatonin on bovine theca cells in vitro. Reprod. Fertil. Develop; 30(4):643-650

 

Cortinovis C, Spicer LJ, Perego MC, Coccini T, Caloni F. (2018) Chapter 96 – Domoic Acid. Handbook of Foodborne Diseases. CRC Press.

 

Perego MC, Caloni F, Cortinovis C, Schutz LF, Albonico M, Tsuzukibashi D, Spicer LJ. (2017) Influence of a Roundup formulation on glyphosate effects on steroidogenesis and proliferation of bovine granulosa cells in vitro. Chemosphere; 188:274-279.

 

Perego MC, Schutz LF, Caloni F, Cortinovis C, Albonico M, Spicer LJ. (2017) Evidence for direct effects of glyphosate on ovarian function: glyphosate influences steroidogenesis and proliferation of bovine granulosa but not theca cells in vitro. J Appl Toxicol; 37(6):692-698.

 

 

Presentations:

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Perego MC. 2023. Critical Components to the Safety of Antimethanogenic Feed Ingredients and Their Residues in Livestock-Derived Foods for Human Consumption. Oral presentation for the Scientific & Technical Forum "Where do food safety and sustainability practices conflict and what can the food industry do to co-manage safety and sustainability goals?” IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo.

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Perego MC, McMichael BD, Bain LJ. 2022. Arsenic Impairs the Hippo Signaling Pathway and the Expression of its Downstream Target Genes. Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting.

 

Perego MC, McMichael, BD, Bain LJ. 2021. Arsenic impairs stem cell differentiation via the Hippo signaling pathway. Society of Toxicology Virtual Annual Meeting.

 

McMichael BD, Perego MC, Darling CL, Perry RM, Bain LJ. 2019. Chronic Low-Level Arsenic Exposure Induces Fibrogenesis in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells. CBASS, Clemson, SC.

 

Caloni F, Perego MC, Cortinovis C, Bertero A, Spicer LJ. 2018. In vitro effects of two environmental toxicants, beauvericin and glyphosate in Roundup, on cell proliferation and steroidogenesis using a novel bovine whole ovarian cell culture system. EAVPT, Wroclaw, Poland.

 

Perego MC, Morrell BC, Schutz LF, Spicer LJ. 2018. Endogenous production of UHRF1 and effects of E2F transcription factors and FGF9 on UHRF1 mRNA abundance in ovarian cells. Annual Cancer Research Symposium, Oklahoma City, OK.

 

Caloni F, Perego MC, Schutz LF, Cortinovis C, Spicer LJ. 2017. In vitro effects of glyphosate alone or in formulation with Roundup on cell proliferation and steroid production by bovine granulosa cells. Society of Toxicology) Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.

 

Caloni F, Albonico M, Mantecca P, Gedanken A, Bellitto N, Perego MC, Cortinovis C. 2015. Toxicological effects of copper oxide nanoparticles on Caco-2 intestinal cells. European Congress on Alternatives to Animal Testing (EUSAAT), Linz, Austria.

 

Perego MC, Martinez Morcillo S, Neila Ibáñez CM, Díez Hernández A, González Mateos A, Pérez López M. 2016. Identification of organophosphate biomarkers and current methodologies: a review. Oral Communication at Complutenses’ days. National congress of investigation in health science for undergraduated students, Madrid, Spain.

 

Martinez Morcillo S, Perego MC, Neila Ibáñez CM, Díez Hernández A, Soler Rodriguez F, Pérez López M. 2016. Use of earthworm species for toxicological assays and pesticides screening. Complutenses’ days. National congress of investigation in health science for undergraduated students, Madrid, Spain.

 

Neila Ibáñez CM, Perego MC, Martinez Morcillo S, Díez Hernández A, Pérez López M, Soler Rodríguez F. 2016. Wildlife species as bioindicator of environmental contamination. Complutenses’ days. National congress of investigation in health science for undergraduated students, Madrid, Spain.

 

Díez Hernández A, Martinez Morcillo S, Perego MC, Neila Ibáñez CM, Pérez López M, Soler Rodríguez F. 2016. Justice tribunals verdicts for Veterinary profession responsibility. Complutenses’ days. National congress of investigation in health science for undergraduated students, Madrid, Spain.

 

Albonico M, Cortinovis C, Colombo G, Dalle-Donne I, Mantecca P, Gedanken A, Perelshtein I, Bellitto N, Perego MC, Caloni F. 2016. Effects of CuO nanoparticles on an in vitro model of intestinal barrier. Eurotox, Sevilla, Spain.

 

Caloni F, Cortinovis C, Colombo G, Dalle-Donne I, Mantecca P, Gedanken A, Perelshtein I, Perego MC, Bellitto N, Albonico M. 2016. Toxic effects of Zn-doped CuO nanoparticles on human intestinal Caco-2 cells. Eurotox Sevilla, Spain.

 

Albonico M, Perego MC, Schutz LF, Cortinovis C, Caloni F, Spicer LJ. 2016. Glyphosate toxicity on ovarian function: in vitro effects on bovine theca cell proliferation and steroidogenesis. Eurotox, Sevilla, Spain.

 

 

 

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