Dr. Heck received her BA from Douglass College, New Brunswick NJ and her Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Rutgers University. She completed her postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Debra Laskin at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy of Rutgers University. She served on the faculty of Rutgers University and the University of Illinois before joining the faculty of NYMC in 2007.
Dr. Heck’s research interests are focused on understanding mechanisms of inflammation and toxicity mediating chemical-induced injury, wound healing and carcinogenesis. Her recent studies have included developing insights into the pro-inflammatory effects of light on biological systems and the roles of free radicals in skin, eye and lung inflammation; her current projects are largely focused on developing medical countermeasures, treatments and therapeutics to address the effects of chemical toxicants and agents of mass destruction on civilian populations.
