Biography
Dr. Bolt earned a B.S. in Biology in 2003 from the University of Northern Colorado and a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology in 2012 from the University of Arizona. Followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University from 2012-2017.
Personal Statement
I have always been fascinated with figuring out how things work and finding out why. This inquisitiveness has really driven my career in science education. When I was in graduate school I started to learn about the field of environmental toxicology and the importance of researching how chemical we are exposed to in the environment can cause toxicity and lead to disease. I quickly got excited about this field because it marries my love for nature and my love for science!
Areas of Specialty
Metals Toxicology
Immunotoxicology
Carcinogenesis
Education
PhD, University of Arizona, 2012 (Pharmacology and Toxicology)
BS. University of Colorado, 2003 (Biology)
Achievements & Awards
UNM HSC Research HSC Research & Creative Works Leadership Award for the UNM Health Sciences Campus, December 2024.
Regent’s Lecturer for the University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, 2020 - 2023.
Key Publications
Other
Chock, Cameron, Bolt, Alicia, M 2022 TUNGSTEN-ENHANCED BREAST CANCER METASTASIS TO THE BONE IS ASSOCIATED WITH ALTERATIONS IN THE BONE NICHE. , ,
Journal Article
Wardhani, K, Yazzie, S, McVeigh, C, Edeh, O, Grimes, Martha, M Jacquez, Q, Dixson, C, Barr, E, Liu, R, Bolt, Alicia, M Feng, Changjian, Zychowski, Katherine, 2024 Systemic immunological responses are dependent on sex and ovarian hormone presence following acute inhaled woodsmoke exposure. Particle and fibre toxicology, vol. 21, Issue 1, 27
Book Chapter
Bolt, Alicia, M 2023 Tungsten toxicity and carcinogenesis Elsevier
Journal Article
Templeton, S, McVeigh, C, M Nguyen, C, Hunter, R, Scieszka, D, Herbert, G, W Barr, E, B Liu, R, Gu, H, Bleske, Barry, E Campen, Matthew, J Bolt, Alicia, M 2023 Acute inhalation of tungsten particles results in early signs of cardiac injury. Toxicology letters, vol. 384
Journal Article
Wardhani, K, Yazzie, S, McVeigh, C, Edeh, O, Grimes, Martha, M Jacquez, Q, Dixson, C, Barr, E, Liu, R, Bolt, Alicia, M Feng, Changjian, Zychowski, Katherine, 2025 Advancements in Heavy Metal Detection Using Microneedle Array Technology. Toxicology mechanisms and methods, vol.
Languages
- English
Courses Taught
PHRM 305/805: Pathophysiology and Immunology - Innate and Adaptive Immunity, and Immunological Disease Pathophysiology
PHRM 825: Integrated Pharmacotherapy II - Pharmacology of Estrogens and Progestins, Pharmacology of Osteoporosis Drugs, Pathophysisology and Pharmacology of Rheumatoid Arthritis
PHRM 847: Integrated Pharmacotherapy VII - Antibody-Based Cancer Therapies
PHRM 580: General Toxicology - Immunotoxicology
Research and Scholarship
Dr. Bolt’s research is focused on metal toxicology using both in vitro and in vivo models. Her current research interests include investigating the molecular mechanisms driving how the metal tungsten can advance tumor progression by targeting the surrounding tumor microenvironment and how inhalation of tungsten metal particles enhances inflammation and alters fibroblasts, leading to the development of cardiovascular disease. In addition, she is currently investigating how inhalation exposures to mixed-metal mine waste leads to pulmonary and systemic immune dysfunction leading to the development of autoimmunity as part of the UNM Metals Superfund program.
Dr. Bolt has extensive experience using primary cell differentiation models and multi-parameter flow cytometry as tools to characterize metal-induced toxicity and disease states.
Publications:
Taylor RM, Ali AS, Zhu Y, Bolt AM, Baca JT. Advancements in heavy metal detection using microneedle array technology. Toxicol Mech Methods. 2025 Jun;35(5):540-550.
Wardhani K, Yazzie S, McVeigh C, Edeh O, Grimes M, Jacquez Q, Dixson C, Barr E, Liu R, Bolt AM, Feng C, Zychowski KE. Systemic immunological responses are dependent on sex and ovarian hormone presence following acute inhaled woodsmoke exposure. Part Fibre Toxicol. 2024 May 27;21(1):27.
Bolt AM. Tungsten toxicity and carcinogenesis. Adv Pharmacol. 2023; 96:119-150.
Templeton S, McVeigh CM, Nguyen C, Hunter R, Scieszka D, Herbert GW, Barr EB, Liu R, Gu H, Bleske BE, Campen MJ, Bolt AM. Acute inhalation of tungsten particles results in early signs of cardiac injury. Toxicol Lett. 2023 Aug 1;384:52-62.
Schilz JR, Dashner-Titus EJ, Simmons KA, Erdei E, Bolt AM, MacKenzie DA, Hudson LG. The immunotoxicity of natural and depleted uranium: From cells to people. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2022 Nov 1;454:116252.
Chock CJ and Bolt A. TUNGSTEN-ENHANCED BREAST CANCER METASTASIS TO THE BONE IS ASSOCIATED WITH ALTERATIONS IN THE BONE NICHE." (2022). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/phrm_etds/30"