Riaditeľka Ústavu Experimentálnej Farmakológie a Toxikológie, členka správnej rady CEM
Dr.rer.nat., Ing. Helena Kanďárová, ERT
Toxikológia in vitro, regulatórna toxikológia, topická toxicita, fototoxicita
T:
02/32295724 kl.2724
ORCID:
Dr. Helena Kandarova, ERT is Director of the Institute of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology at CEM SAS.
Her research is focused on understanding the toxicological effects of chemicals, drugs, and medical devices in epithelial tissues; part of her scientific interest focuses on regulatory toxicology. She has been actively involved for more than 20 years in developing, validating and implementing animal-free approaches to assess the safety of chemicals, cosmetics and medical devices. She coordinated or was involved in various national (VEGA, APVV) and international (ECVAM, ISO, Cosmetics Europe, Cefic, Horizont) projects.
Before joining academia, she was a senior scientist, manager and director of a private biotechnological company, with headquarters in the USA. She established and 10 years led an EU subsidiary of the US company in Slovakia. Her involvement in many research projects led to the acceptance of alternative methods into regulatory frameworks such as EU and OECD Guidelines or ISO standards.
Her research has resulted in over 90 peer-reviewed articles and 10 book chapters a H-factor of 24 (scopus), 28 (Google scholar).
Dr. Kandarova currently serves as President of the European Society of Toxicology in Vitro, Vice-president of SETOX (2015-2025), Chair of the Slovak National Platform for 3Rs (SNP3Rs), EASAC Bioscience and Health Steering Panel member representing SR, EUROTOX faculty, EPAA Mirror Group Member, National coordinator of the OECD TG programme and nominated national expert in the OECD expert groups, National representative at EURL ECVAM PARERE activities, head and representative of Slovak NETVAL laboratory (SK-NETVAL).
AWARDS AND HONORS
2026 Honorary Membership - EUROTOX
2026 Finalistka - Lush Prize 2026 (Tímová nominácia ESTIV Training course)
2026 Finalistka Slovenka roka - kategória Veda a výskum
2026 Ocenenie za Editorsku cinnost - ATLA, UK
2025 Michal Balls Award - ATLA
2025 US SOT MDCSS Award - Best paper
2024 Outstanding Article Recognition - Frontiers in Toxicology.
2024 PETA Science Consortium International Award
2023 Finalist of the category: Outstanding Scientists in Slovakia
2023 US SOT EUROTOX Lecture
2022 Commemorative Medal - Society of Toxicologists of Ukraine
2022 EUROTOX Lecture (former Bo Holmsted Memorial Award)
2022 Bjorn Ekwall Memorial Award
2021 Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation Award
2020 Lush prize - Commended project
2020 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science, Slovakia - "Honorable mention certificate"
2018 Lush prize Shortlisted - trainings
2018 US SOT MD and SPC Best Published Paper Award
2017 US SOT MD and SPC Best poster
2012 Four Paws Poster Award
2007 Zet-MEGAT Poster Award
IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
**2026 – 2029 | NAMSCAPE (101343953)** – New Approach Methodologies for Scalable Coordination, Acceptance, and Policy-driven Exploitation. Horizon Europe, Coordination and Support Action (CSA).
**2026 – 2028 | AI-Tox** – OECD High-Level Guidance for the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Chemical Safety Assessment – Framework for Trustworthy AI in Chemical Safety. OECD, medzinárodný expertný projekt.
**2026 – súčasnosť | ERA4NAMs** – Accelerating New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to Advance Biomedical Research and Testing of Medicinal Products and Medical Devices. European Research Area, ERA Action 17.
**2021 – 2026 | ONTOX (963545)** – Ontology-driven and Artificial Intelligence-based Repeated Dose Toxicity Testing of Chemicals for Next Generation Risk Assessment. Horizon 2020.
**2022 – 2026 | IMPROVE (CA21139)** – 3Rs Concepts to Improve the Quality of Biomedical Science. COST Action.
**2022 – 2026 | NETSKINMODELS (CA21108)** – European Network for Skin Engineering and Modeling. COST Action.
**2024 – 2026 | PSCI (Grant 01/2024)** – Exploration of Toxicology Properties of Drug Candidates with Antimicrobial and Antiviral Properties. International research collaboration.
**2024 – 2026 | Vaginal Irritation Validation** – Validation of a Vaginal Irritation Protocol for the In Vitro Assessment of Medical Devices. International validation study.
**2020 – 2021 | TraiN-SafeMDs (DS-FR-2019-0048)** – Training Network for Improving the Safety of Medical Devices – Focus on the Oral Cavity. APVV, bilateral research cooperation.
**2018 – 2023 | LOGIC LAB (813920)** – Molecular Logic Lab-on-a-Vesicle for Intracellular Diagnostics. Horizon 2020, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network. Participation as MatTek IVLSL CEO - 2018.
**2017 – 2018 | ALT4EI** – Alternatives for Eye Irritation. LNE/VITO, international research collaboration.
**2015 – 2016 | CON4EI (CEFIC-LRI-AIMT6)** – Eye Irritation Testing In Vitro in Practice – Database and Testing Strategy. CEFIC Long-range Research Initiative.
**2009 | US SBIR (2R44ES015002-02A1)** – Reconstructed Skin Micronucleus Genotoxicity Assay, Phase II. US National Institutes of Health, Small Business Innovation Research Programme.
**2008 | US SBIR (1R43ES017178-01)** – In Vitro Assay to Determine Skin Corrosivity Packing Groups, Phase I. US National Institutes of Health, Small Business Innovation Research Programme.
**2017 – 2020 | US SBIR (2U44ES014312-04)** – In Vitro Human Airway Model for Regulatory Toxicity Testing. US National Institutes of Health, Small Business Innovation Research Programme. Účasť do roku 2018.
**2003 – 2007 | ECVAM (21323-2003-10 F1ED ISP DE)** – International Validation Study on In Vitro Tests for Acute Skin Irritation. European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods.
**2002 – 2006 | ECVAM (19868-2002-09 F1ED ISP DE)** – Photo-potency Feasibility Study. European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods.
INETRNATIONAL COMMITEES AND MEMBERSHIPS
1. OECD Test Guidelines Programme (WNT) – National Coordinator for the Slovak Republic.
2. OECD Working Party on Hazard Assessment (WPHA) and Working Party on Exposure Assessment (WPEA) – Nominated National Expert and Co-Lead of the OECD Project on the Integration of Artificial Intelligence into Chemical Risk Assessment.
3. European Research Area (ERA) – Action on Accelerating New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) – Nominated National Expert and Co-Chair of Working Group 3 (WG3) on Education and Training.
4. European Commission – One Substance, One Assessment (OSOA), VTM Committee – Committee Member.
5. PARERE – EURL ECVAM Network for Preliminary Assessment of Regulatory Relevance (European Commission, JRC) – Nominated National Expert Representing the Slovak Republic.
6. OECD Expert Group on the Revision of Guidance Document No. 34 on the Validation and International Acceptance of New or Updated Test Methods – Nominated National Expert.
7. EU-NETVAL – European Union Network of Laboratories for the Validation of Alternative Methods (EURL ECVAM, JRC, European Commission) – Member Representing the Slovak National Testing Laboratory (SK-NETVAL) and Expert in the Working Group on Validation of Methods for Endocrine Disruptor Identification.
8. OECD Expert Group on Respiratory Sensitisation – Nominated National Expert.
9. OECD Expert Group on Skin Sensitisation – Nominated National Expert.
10. OECD Expert Group on Topical Toxicity – Nominated National Expert.
11. Technical Committee No. 102 – Medical Devices (Slovakia) – Committee Member.
12. NOVS – National Expert Working Group on Alternative Methods (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic) – National Expert.
Her research is focused on understanding the toxicological effects of chemicals, drugs, and medical devices in epithelial tissues; part of her scientific interest focuses on regulatory toxicology. She has been actively involved for more than 20 years in developing, validating and implementing animal-free approaches to assess the safety of chemicals, cosmetics and medical devices. She coordinated or was involved in various national (VEGA, APVV) and international (ECVAM, ISO, Cosmetics Europe, Cefic, Horizont) projects.
Before joining academia, she was a senior scientist, manager and director of a private biotechnological company, with headquarters in the USA. She established and 10 years led an EU subsidiary of the US company in Slovakia. Her involvement in many research projects led to the acceptance of alternative methods into regulatory frameworks such as EU and OECD Guidelines or ISO standards.
Her research has resulted in over 90 peer-reviewed articles and 10 book chapters a H-factor of 24 (scopus), 28 (Google scholar).
Dr. Kandarova currently serves as President of the European Society of Toxicology in Vitro, Vice-president of SETOX (2015-2025), Chair of the Slovak National Platform for 3Rs (SNP3Rs), EASAC Bioscience and Health Steering Panel member representing SR, EUROTOX faculty, EPAA Mirror Group Member, National coordinator of the OECD TG programme and nominated national expert in the OECD expert groups, National representative at EURL ECVAM PARERE activities, head and representative of Slovak NETVAL laboratory (SK-NETVAL).
AWARDS AND HONORS
2026 Honorary Membership - EUROTOX
2026 Finalistka - Lush Prize 2026 (Tímová nominácia ESTIV Training course)
2026 Finalistka Slovenka roka - kategória Veda a výskum
2026 Ocenenie za Editorsku cinnost - ATLA, UK
2025 Michal Balls Award - ATLA
2025 US SOT MDCSS Award - Best paper
2024 Outstanding Article Recognition - Frontiers in Toxicology.
2024 PETA Science Consortium International Award
2023 Finalist of the category: Outstanding Scientists in Slovakia
2023 US SOT EUROTOX Lecture
2022 Commemorative Medal - Society of Toxicologists of Ukraine
2022 EUROTOX Lecture (former Bo Holmsted Memorial Award)
2022 Bjorn Ekwall Memorial Award
2021 Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation Award
2020 Lush prize - Commended project
2020 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science, Slovakia - "Honorable mention certificate"
2018 Lush prize Shortlisted - trainings
2018 US SOT MD and SPC Best Published Paper Award
2017 US SOT MD and SPC Best poster
2012 Four Paws Poster Award
2007 Zet-MEGAT Poster Award
IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
**2026 – 2029 | NAMSCAPE (101343953)** – New Approach Methodologies for Scalable Coordination, Acceptance, and Policy-driven Exploitation. Horizon Europe, Coordination and Support Action (CSA).
**2026 – 2028 | AI-Tox** – OECD High-Level Guidance for the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Chemical Safety Assessment – Framework for Trustworthy AI in Chemical Safety. OECD, medzinárodný expertný projekt.
**2026 – súčasnosť | ERA4NAMs** – Accelerating New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to Advance Biomedical Research and Testing of Medicinal Products and Medical Devices. European Research Area, ERA Action 17.
**2021 – 2026 | ONTOX (963545)** – Ontology-driven and Artificial Intelligence-based Repeated Dose Toxicity Testing of Chemicals for Next Generation Risk Assessment. Horizon 2020.
**2022 – 2026 | IMPROVE (CA21139)** – 3Rs Concepts to Improve the Quality of Biomedical Science. COST Action.
**2022 – 2026 | NETSKINMODELS (CA21108)** – European Network for Skin Engineering and Modeling. COST Action.
**2024 – 2026 | PSCI (Grant 01/2024)** – Exploration of Toxicology Properties of Drug Candidates with Antimicrobial and Antiviral Properties. International research collaboration.
**2024 – 2026 | Vaginal Irritation Validation** – Validation of a Vaginal Irritation Protocol for the In Vitro Assessment of Medical Devices. International validation study.
**2020 – 2021 | TraiN-SafeMDs (DS-FR-2019-0048)** – Training Network for Improving the Safety of Medical Devices – Focus on the Oral Cavity. APVV, bilateral research cooperation.
**2018 – 2023 | LOGIC LAB (813920)** – Molecular Logic Lab-on-a-Vesicle for Intracellular Diagnostics. Horizon 2020, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network. Participation as MatTek IVLSL CEO - 2018.
**2017 – 2018 | ALT4EI** – Alternatives for Eye Irritation. LNE/VITO, international research collaboration.
**2015 – 2016 | CON4EI (CEFIC-LRI-AIMT6)** – Eye Irritation Testing In Vitro in Practice – Database and Testing Strategy. CEFIC Long-range Research Initiative.
**2009 | US SBIR (2R44ES015002-02A1)** – Reconstructed Skin Micronucleus Genotoxicity Assay, Phase II. US National Institutes of Health, Small Business Innovation Research Programme.
**2008 | US SBIR (1R43ES017178-01)** – In Vitro Assay to Determine Skin Corrosivity Packing Groups, Phase I. US National Institutes of Health, Small Business Innovation Research Programme.
**2017 – 2020 | US SBIR (2U44ES014312-04)** – In Vitro Human Airway Model for Regulatory Toxicity Testing. US National Institutes of Health, Small Business Innovation Research Programme. Účasť do roku 2018.
**2003 – 2007 | ECVAM (21323-2003-10 F1ED ISP DE)** – International Validation Study on In Vitro Tests for Acute Skin Irritation. European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods.
**2002 – 2006 | ECVAM (19868-2002-09 F1ED ISP DE)** – Photo-potency Feasibility Study. European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods.
INETRNATIONAL COMMITEES AND MEMBERSHIPS
1. OECD Test Guidelines Programme (WNT) – National Coordinator for the Slovak Republic.
2. OECD Working Party on Hazard Assessment (WPHA) and Working Party on Exposure Assessment (WPEA) – Nominated National Expert and Co-Lead of the OECD Project on the Integration of Artificial Intelligence into Chemical Risk Assessment.
3. European Research Area (ERA) – Action on Accelerating New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) – Nominated National Expert and Co-Chair of Working Group 3 (WG3) on Education and Training.
4. European Commission – One Substance, One Assessment (OSOA), VTM Committee – Committee Member.
5. PARERE – EURL ECVAM Network for Preliminary Assessment of Regulatory Relevance (European Commission, JRC) – Nominated National Expert Representing the Slovak Republic.
6. OECD Expert Group on the Revision of Guidance Document No. 34 on the Validation and International Acceptance of New or Updated Test Methods – Nominated National Expert.
7. EU-NETVAL – European Union Network of Laboratories for the Validation of Alternative Methods (EURL ECVAM, JRC, European Commission) – Member Representing the Slovak National Testing Laboratory (SK-NETVAL) and Expert in the Working Group on Validation of Methods for Endocrine Disruptor Identification.
8. OECD Expert Group on Respiratory Sensitisation – Nominated National Expert.
9. OECD Expert Group on Skin Sensitisation – Nominated National Expert.
10. OECD Expert Group on Topical Toxicity – Nominated National Expert.
11. Technical Committee No. 102 – Medical Devices (Slovakia) – Committee Member.
12. NOVS – National Expert Working Group on Alternative Methods (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic) – National Expert.