Meet Chris Powels – Toxicology Scientist Technician and Precise Systems’ employee spotlight for June 2025.
Chris joined our Precise organization in the spring of 2023 as part of our Operational Toxicology team, where he works as a Toxicology Scientist Technician. Much of his work centers on characterizing existing and emerging threats to produce human estimates of toxicity, utilizing a variety of in vivo and in vitro assays and techniques. One of his favorite aspects of his role, he says, is the implementation of surgical models and behavioral studies. Chris explains, “I particularly enjoy the precision and focus my work requires, as such during surgical procedures.”
He and the rest of our Operational Toxicology team play a crucial role in protecting our warfighters, as they provide the necessary data that informs protective measures and medical countermeasures for the U.S. Army. Every day, they collectively work towards better understanding the toxic effects of potential chemical threats. Ultimately, their contributions lead to a safer national defense overall by ensuring our personnel are prepared for and protected against a wide range of potential hazards.
All his life, Chris has possessed a natural curiosity that makes him strive to ask questions and seek answers – ultimately leading to the scientific career he has now. He says, “It’s a field that allows me to constantly learn, explore, and always find more ways to ask ‘why’”.
He finds that one of the most impactful ways he can find his answers is through the data he works with on a daily basis. Chris explains that he is especially intrigued to learn more about data science and machine learning and the ease of accessibility these new techniques offer. He believes that applying these techniques would open up a whole new world of insights from the datasets he and the Operational Toxicology team work with, even allowing them to detect subtle distinctions and improve our predictive capabilities. This, he says, would be incredibly useful in early symptom detection and compound differentiation.
Something a lot of people may not know about Chris is his hobby outside of the lab – playing cello in the Baltimore Gamer Symphony Orchestra! This fantastic group, with over 100 members, exclusively performs music composed for video games. The Orchestra offers free concerts and hosts social events around the Baltimore area, so be sure to check Chris and the rest of these incredible musicians out!
Thank you to Chris and the rest of our Operational Toxicology team for the mission-critical work you do day in and day out. Our warfighters are safer because of you and we are grateful you are part of our organization, contributing to a greater defense every day!