Professor receives national research award

Dr. William Meggs

GREENVILLE, N.C.  — Dr. William Meggs, a professor of emergency medicine and chief of toxicology at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, has received the Research Award from the American College of Medical Toxicology for contributions to toxicology research.

Over the past three decades, Meggs has shown innovation and creativity in medical toxicology and related areas of study. These range from the use of the drug heparin to treat anaphylactoid shock to ways to delay onset of toxicity from snakebites. Perhaps his greatest impact has been his research into the problem of irritant sensitivity, which can cause inflammation similar to asthma and other conditions.

Meggs also was the first researcher to report that chronic exposure to low levels of an organophosphate insecticide could induce obesity.

Meggs is also author of “The Inflammation Cure,” a book that combines scientific writings regarding fundamental processes that produce inflammation in diseases with lifestyle modifications to reduce harmful inflammatory processes in the body.

Meggs accepted the award from Dr. Erica Liebelt, president of ACMT, at the group’s March 12 meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz.

He has been on the ECU faculty since 1988.