Staff Profile

Lecturer in Pharmacology

External activities

Deputy chair of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment

Member of the British Toxicology Society Scientific Sub-Committee

Abstract co-editor for the British Toxicology Society Annual Congress

Ambassador for the British Toxicology Society

Invited lecturer at University of Birmingham

Qualifications

Ph.D. Neuroscience
B.Sc. Hons. Zoology

Aurora Leadership Development Programme alumna (2018)

Previous Positions

Staff Scientist in the Medical Toxicology Centre, Newcastle University (2006-2019)

Wellcome Trust funded Research Associate, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University (2002-2006)

NIH funded Research Associate, Department of Psychology, Boston University, USA (2000-2002)

Honours and Awards

Fellowship award from the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology in 2005.

Organon Prize for the best paper in Journal of Psychopharmacology in 2005.

Memberships

British Pharmacological Society

British Toxicology Society

International Neurotoxicology Association

My main interests focus on understanding how chemicals interact with the brain and contribute to the development of neurodevelopmental, neurological and psychiatric disorders. 

My research questions began with clinical observations or epidemiological evidence that chemical exposure is associated with an adverse health effect.  We then investigated how that chemical can affect the brain leading to that particular health effect, providing a mechanistic link. 

Low level pesticide exposure

There is epidemiological evidence that low level exposure to pesticides can lead to symptoms associated with psychiatric disorders.  We investigated the effects of low levels of organophosphate pesticides on brain function using behavioural, neurochemical and electrophysiological technique to determine a mechanistic link.

Nerve agent exposure

We optimised an assay to assess for nerve agent exposure. 

Recreational drugs

Clinical observations indicate that the newer “legal highs” have mechanisms of action in addition to those that are known.  We investigated the effects of recreational drugs on brain function using neurotransmitter uptake and electrophysiological techniques.

Public engagement

An example is a partnership with a team of senior school pupils through the leading edge engagement programme.  The pupils told me they were interested in examining the effects of chemicals found in soft drinks they consume. Under my supervision they developed and conducted their own experiment to test the ingredients.  They found that some of the chemicals can affect motor activity.  Their data and the partnership experience were published in a peer-reviewed scientific paper with the pupils as authors!

Module leader

PED3008: Advanced Topics in Neuropharmacology

Lecturer/ assessor / seminar leader / practical leader

PED1002: Pharmacology

PED2006: Systems Pharmacology

PED3008: Advanced Topics in Neuropharmacology

PED3011:Toxicology

PED3012: Integrated Pharmacology

BMS3013: Diseases of the human nervous system

BMS3016: Science communication

CMB1006: Practical skills in biomedical and biomolecular sciences

CMB2000: Essential biomedical research skills

CRV8004: Clinical assessment and investigation

MMB8032: Toxicology

Teaching administration

Chair of Board of Examiners, Stage 1

Deputy chair of the Pharmacology Curriculum Committee

Student Voice co-ordinator for School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences

Lead for Professional learning in Student Representation Award (School of BNS)

Member of the Module Moderation Boards / Boards of Examiners / Board of Studies

Personal tutor

• Gorman LM, Judge SJ, Harris JB, Caldwell GS. Lesser weever fish (Echiichthys vipera Cuvier, 1829) venom is cardiotoxic but not haemorrhagic. Toxicon 2021, 194, 63-69.
• Gorman LM, Judge SJ, Fezai M, Jemaa M, Harris JB, Caldwell GS. The venoms of the lesser (Echiichthys vipera) and greater weeverfish (Trachinus draco) - a review. Toxicon: X 2020, 6, 100025.
• Keane PC, Hanson PS, Patterson L, Blain PG, Hepplewhite P, Khundakar AA, Judge SJ, Kahle PJ, LeBeau FEN, Morris CM. Trichloroethylene and its metabolite TaClo lead to degeneration of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurones: Effects in wild type and human A30P mutant α-synuclein mice . Neuroscience Letters 2019, 711, 134437.
• Savy CS, Fitchett AE, Blain PG, Morris CM, Judge SJ. Gene expression analysis reveals chronic low level exposure to the pesticide diazinon affects Psychological Disorders gene sets in the adult rat. Toxicology 2018, 393, 90-101.
• Judge SJ, Delgaty L, Broughton M, Dyter L, Grimes C, Metcalf J, Nicholson R, Pennock E, Jankowski K. Behaviour-changing ingredients in soft drinks: An experiment developed by school children in partnership with a research scientist. Journal of Biological Education 2017, 51(1), 79-96.
• Drummond J, Williamson SM, Fitchett AE, Wright GA, Judge SJ. Spontaneous honeybee behaviour is altered by persistent organic pollutants. Ecotoxicology 2017, 26(1), 141-150.
• Judge SJ, Savy CY, Campbell M, Dodds R, Gomes LK, Laws G, Watson A, Blain PG, Morris CM, Gartside SE. Mechanism for the acute effects of organophosphate pesticides on the adult 5-HT system. Chemico-Biological Interactions 2016, 245, 82-89.
• Savy CY, Fitchett AE, McQuade R, Gartside SE, Morris CM, Blain PG, Judge SJ. Low-level repeated exposure to diazinon and chlorpyrifos decrease anxiety-like behaviour in adult male rats as assessed by marble burying behaviour. Neurotoxicology 2015, 50, 149-156.
• Morris CM, Savy C, Judge SJ, Blain PG. Acute toxicity of organophosphorus compounds. In: Basic and Clinical Toxicology of Organophosphorus Compounds. London: Springer-Verlag London Ltd, 2014, pp.45-78.
• Baron AW, Rushton SP, Rens N, Morris CM, Blain PG, Judge SJ. Sex differences in effects of low level domoic acid exposure. NeuroToxicology 2013, 34, 1-8.
• Fitchett AE, Judge SJ, Morris CM. Using olive oil to orally dose laboratory rats. Animal Technology and Welfare 2012, 10(1), 39-41.
• Keane PC, Judge SJ, Blain PG, Morris CM. An investigation into the mechanism of trichloroethylene neurotoxicity in relation to Parkinsonism. In: Annual Congress of The British Toxicology Society. 2011, Durham: Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
• Savy CY, Morris CM, Blain PG, Judge SJ. Behavioural effects of low level exposure to organophosphate pesticides. Toxicology 2011, 290(2-3), 116.
• Baron AW, Steeg R, Morris CM, Blain PG, Judge SJ. Motor activity is a sensitive behavioural biomarker of low level exposure to the shellfish toxin, domoic acid, in male and female rats. In: Toxicology: Annual Congress of The British Toxicology Society. 2011, Durham, UK: Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
• Kaura V, Ingram CD, Gartside SE, Young AH, Judge SJ. The progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone potentiates GABA_A receptor-mediated inhibition of 5-HT neuronal activity. European Neuropsychopharmacology 2007, 17(2), 108-115.
• Judge SJ, Gartside SE. Firing of 5-HT neurones in the dorsal and median raphe nucleus in vitro shows differential α₁-adrenoceptor and 5-HT_1A receptor modulation. Neurochemistry International 2006, 48(2), 100-107.
• Judge SJ, Young RL, Gartside SE. GABA_A receptor modulation of 5-HT neuronal firing in the median raphe nucleus: Implications for the action of anxiolytics. European Neuropsychopharmacology 2006, 16(8), 612-619.
• Judge SJ, Ingram CD, Gartside SE. GABA receptor modulation of 5-HT neuronal firing and its sensitivity to circulating corticosterone. In: International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology: 24th CINP Congress. 2004, Paris, France: Cambridge University Press.
• Judge SJ, Ingram CD, Gartside SE. GABA receptor modulation of 5-HT neuronal firing: characterization and effect of moderate in vivo variations in glucocorticoid levels. Neurochemistry International 2004, 45(7), 1057-1065.
• Judge SJ, Ingram CD, Gartside SE. Moderate differences in circulating corticosterone alter receptor-mediated regulation of 5-hydroxytryptamine neuronal activity. Journal of Psychopharmacology 2004, 18(4), 475-483.
• Judge SJ, Hasselmo ME. Theta Rhythmic Stimulation of Stratum Lacunosum-Moleculare in Rat Hippocampus Contributes to Associative LTP at a Phase Offset in Stratum Radiatum. Journal of Neurophysiology 2004, 92(3), 1615-1624.
• Judge SJ, Ingram CD, Gartside SE. Changes in glucocorticoid levels within the diurnal range alter alpha(1)-adrenoceptor and 5-HT1A receptor modulation of 5-HT neuronal firing. In: European Neuropsychopharmacology: 16th Congress of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology. 2003, Prague, Czech Republic: Elsevier BV.
• Johnson D, Judge SJ, Gartside SE, Ingram CD. The effects of dopamine on dorsal raphe 5-HT neuronal firing: In vitro electrophysiological studies. In: European Neuropsychopharmacology: 16th Congress of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology. 2003, Prague, Czech Republic: Elsevier BV.
• Judge S, Leitch B. GABA Immunoreactivity in Processes Presynaptic to the Locust Wing Stretch Receptor Neuron. Journal of Comparative Neurology 1999, 407(1), 103-114.
• Judge S, Leitch B. Modulation of transmitter release from the locust forewing stretch receptor neuron by GABAergic interneurons activated via muscarinic receptors. Journal of Neurobiology 1999, 40(3), 420-431.
• Judge S and Rind F. The locust DCMD, a movement-detecting neurone tightly tuned to collision trajectories. Journal of Experimental Biology 1997, 200(16), 2209-2216.
• S. J. Judge and F. C. Rind. The locust DCMD, a movement-detecting neurone tightly tuned to collision trajectories. Journal of Experimental Biology 1997, 200, 2209-2216.