About

Timothy Phillips is associated with the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS), which is ranked as the No. 3 veterinary college in the United States and is recognized for its research in animal science and veterinary medicine. The college emphasizes a 'One Health' approach, engaging in cutting-edge basic and clinical research to address complex scientific questions related to animal, human, and environmental health. The college supports collaborations that translate discoveries into proactive solutions for health issues affecting animals, humans, and the environment. While the specific research focus or background details of Timothy Phillips are not explicitly provided in the page text, his association with VMBS indicates involvement in a leading institution dedicated to veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences, and innovative research aimed at improving health outcomes across species and ecosystems.

Research topics

• Organic chemistry
• Environmental chemistry
• Chemistry
• Metallurgy
• Chemical engineering
• Materials science
• Ecology
• Nanotechnology
• Biology

Selected publications

• NutriClayZn Binds Aflatoxin B1 and Suppresses Enterotoxigenic Salmonella and Escherichia coli

  Journal of Food Protection · 2025-03-18 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  • NutriClay Zn represents a hybrid of two GRAS ingredients that are currently used (individually) in swine diets for nutrition and aflatoxin control. • NutriClay Zn suppresses foodborne Salmonella and cefoxitin-resistant E. coli . • NutriClay Zn retains the efficacy of its parent montmorillonite clay in binding aflatoxin. Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli represent foodborne pathogens that can trigger diarrhea and diminish weight gains in livestock, as well as cause gastroenteritis in humans. Although prophylactic antibiotics have been used historically on the farm to limit bacterial pathogens and promote animal growth, this practice may also foster antimicrobial resistant (AMR) strains of bacteria and deplete our arsenal of effective antibiotic therapies. Incorporation of free chemical zinc oxide (ZnO) into animal feed, at doses far above nutritional requirements, has largely replaced prophylactic antibiotics; however, environmental concerns are mounting around unabsorbed zinc (excreted in feces) impacting soil microbes and thereby contributing to the AMR threat. Here, NutriClay Zn is introduced as an analog of montmorillonite (MMT) clay with potent efficacy against foodborne bacterial pathogens and slow release of low concentrations of zinc. Bacterial propagation was assessed in culture experiments using NutriClay Zn dosages aligned with current dietary MMT clay practices for the control of aflatoxin in production animals. Zinc release was quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Significant ( p < 0.05) growth reduction of Salmonella Typhimurium was observed following NutriClay Zn exposures releasing less zinc than that contained within free chemical ZnO positive controls. Moreover, NutriClay Zn displayed dose-dependent efficacy against an AMR strain of Escherichia coli O157:H7, while also binding aflatoxin B1 with kinetics similar to its parent MMT clay. These findings suggest that NutriClay Zn could serve as a dual-purpose dietary substance, binding aflatoxin B1 and suppressing enterotoxigenic bacteria that can compromise the food supply.

  PublisherDOI

• The SHARE study – Survivorship After Head and Neck Cancer: evaluating patient care and adherence to follow up in Ontario, Canada: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

  Trials · 2025-12-13

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC) experience long-term physical and psychosocial effects post-treatment, however, often receive fragmented survivorship care. Evidence-based survivorship guidelines exist, but implementation remains limited. Poor coordination, insufficient communication, and lack of tailored support contribute to unmet patient needs. Treatment Summary and Survivorship Care Plans (TSSP) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) may improve self-efficacy and adherence to survivorship care recommendations. This study aims to evaluate whether a personalized TSSP along with a one-time MI counselling session improves physician implementation of survivorship care recommendations, patient satisfaction with post-treatment care, and quality of life (QoL) among HNC survivors. METHODS/DESIGN: This study is a prospective, single-centre, two-arm, superiority randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months post-baseline visit. A total of 252 HNC survivors (stage I-IVA, aged ≥ 18 years, 3-6 months post-definitive treatment, English-speaking, with no metastatic or residual disease) will be recruited by a trained research assistant through the Survivorship Clinic at Victoria Hospital in London, Canada. Recruitment began in May 2025. Participants will be randomized to either the intervention group (TSSP and MI session) or the control group (usual care only). The intervention consists of a 45-min MI session delivered by a trained nurse practitioner, focused on exploring the top 3 patient survivorship symptoms/concerns, providing resources and referrals, and goal-setting related to survivorship care recommendations. The primary outcome is the proportion of patient-identified survivorship symptoms/concerns addressed by primary care providers (PCP) at 12 months post-baseline between study groups, with secondary assessments at 3 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes include patient satisfaction with the TSSP and MI session, patient satisfaction with care and information, QoL, and PCP feedback on the utility of the TSSP. Descriptive statistics will be reported, and intention-to-treat analyses will be conducted using mixed-effects models to evaluate group differences over time. DISCUSSION: This study will contribute new evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating a scalable, combined TSSP and MI counselling intervention into routine HNC survivorship care. By promoting patient-centered communication, this approach may empower survivors to engage in self-management and improve long-term health outcomes. Findings will inform best practices for survivorship care planning and support the implementation of patient-tailored interventions across various oncology settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06127784. Registered on Nov. 6, 2023; https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/study/NCT06127784 .

  PublisherDOI

• Using L. minor and C. elegans to assess the ecotoxicity of real-life contaminated soil samples and their remediation by clay- and carbon-based sorbents

  Environmental Pollution · 2024-03-11 · 7 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Toxicity of representative organophosphate, organochlorine, phenylurea, dinitroaniline, carbamate, and viologen pesticides to the growth and survival of H. vulgaris, L. minor, and C. elegans

  Environmental Science and Pollution Research · 2024-02-24 · 6 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Application and efficacy of beidellite clay for the adsorption and detoxification of deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin)

  Emerging contaminants · 2024-07-09 · 5 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  The incidence of mycotoxin occurrence throughout the entire lifespan of some agricultural products could be due to climatic conditions and environmental factors (including high temperature, drought, and heavy rainfall) that enhance growth of fungi. Deoxynivalenol (DON) which is also referred to as vomitoxin is a mycotoxin produced from many Fusarium species. DON ranks high among the prominent mycotoxins in cereal products and is a ubiquitous toxin in livestock feeds. DON's adverse effects present major health challenges in both livestock and humans. The use of natural sorbents including smectite clays, is an economically feasible strategy to mitigate mycotoxin toxicities. Previous studies have demonstrated the potential of edible clays as protective components of human food and animal feed to alleviate toxicity associated with short-term exposure to mycotoxins including DON. Hence, this study was designed to investigate the sorption mechanisms of DON onto the binding surfaces of beidellite clay, assessing essential binding parameters such as enthalpy, free energy, binding capacity, affinity, and plateau surface density. These markers were used to predict availability of DON under the experimental conditions. Furthermore, the protection of beidellite clay against DON-induced toxicity was carried out using living organisms susceptible to DON toxicity, including Hydra vulgaris and Lemna minor. These studies investigated the dose-dependent detoxification of DON by 0.05–2 % inclusion of beidellite. Beidellite exhibited more than 75 % protection in Lemna minor and 53 % in Hydra vulgaris validating that this clay is effective in detoxifying DON. During emergencies, or after disasters, inclusion of edible clay like beidellite in food, water or capsules could reduce bioavailability of DON and halt potential exposures to humans and animals.

  PublisherDOI

• Chlorophyll-Amended Organoclays for the Detoxification of Ochratoxin A

  Toxins · 2024-11-06 · 7 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Climate change has been associated with outbreaks of mycotoxicosis following periods of drought, enhanced fungal growth, and increased exposure to mycotoxins. For detoxification, the inclusion of clay-based materials in food and drinking water has resulted in a very promising strategy to reduce mycotoxin exposure. In this strategy, mycotoxins are tightly sorbed to high-affinity clay particles in the gastrointestinal tract, thus decreasing bioavailability, uptake to blood, and potential toxicity. This study investigated the ability of chlorophyll and chlorophyllin-amended montmorillonite clays to decrease the toxicity of ochratoxin A (OTA). The sorption mechanisms of OTA binding to surfaces of sorbents, as well as binding parameters such as capacity, affinity, enthalpy, and free energy, were examined. Chlorophyll-amended organoclay (CMCH) demonstrated the highest binding (72%) and was better than the chlorophyllin-amended hydrophilic clay (59%), possibly due to the hydrophobicity of OTA (LogP 4.7). In silico studies using molecular dynamics simulations showed that CMCH improves OTA binding in comparison to parent clay in line with experiments. Simulations depicted that chlorophyll amendments on clay facilitated OTA molecules binding both directly, through enhancing OTA binding on the clay, or predominantly indirectly, through OTA molecules interacting with bound chlorophyll amendments. Simulations uncovered the key role of calcium ions in OTA binding, particularly in neutral conditions, and demonstrated that CMCH binding to OTA is enhanced under both neutral and acidic conditions. Furthermore, the protection of various sorbents against OTA-induced toxicity was carried out using two living organisms (Hydra vulgaris and Caenorhabditis elegans) which are susceptible to OTA toxicity. This study showed the significant detoxification of OTA (33% to 100%) by inclusion of sorbents. Organoclay (CMCH) at 0.5% offered complete protection. These findings suggest that the chlorophyll-amended organoclays described in this study could be included in food and feed as OTA binders and as potential filter materials for water and beverages to protect against OTA contaminants during outbreaks and emergencies.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Animal-Based Biosorbents

  2024-01-16

  book-chapterSenior author

  Different organic and inorganic contaminants are present in the biosystem, especially aquatic bodies due to an upsurge in global population growth and the emergence of new industries. Heavy metals, which can be poisonous and/or carcinogenic, and hazardous to humans and other living creatures, are among these contaminants. Heavy metals from different sectors that are most concerning are mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb). They are products from a variety of sources, including fertilizers, insecticides, pigments, metal complex dyes, mordants, and fixing agents (which are added to dyes to increase dye adsorption onto the fibers). Legislation regarding wastewater heavy metal limitations is getting stricter in advanced nations. Electrodialysis, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, reduction, chemical oxidation, ion exchange, chemical precipitation, and adsorption are a few of the treatment methods used to remove heavy metals. Adsorption is the most effective strategy out of these treatments because others have built-in drawbacks including the production of a lot of sludge, being inefficient, needing delicate working conditions, and high cost for disposal. The adsorption approach is emerging as a potentially chosen substitute for the removal of heavy metals and contaminants due to its reversibility, high-quality treated effluent, design flexibility, and ability to replenish the adsorbent.

  PublisherDOI

• Genetic Variation and Heritability of Sensory and Artisan Bread Traits in a Set of SRW Wheat Breeding Lines

  Foods · 2023-07-06 · 5 citations

  articleOpen access

  Focus on local food production and supply chains has heightened in recent years, as evidenced and amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess the suitability of soft red winter (SRW) wheat breeding lines for local artisan bakers interested in locally sourced, strong gluten wheat for bread. Seventy-six genotyped SRW wheat breeding lines were milled into whole wheat flour and baked into small loaves. Bread aroma, flavor, and texture were evaluated by a sensory panel, and bread quality traits, including sedimentation volume, dough extensibility, and loaf volume, were measured to estimate heritability. SE-HPLC was performed on white flour, and breeding lines were characterized for different protein fraction ratios. Heritability of loaf volume was moderately high (h2 = 0.68), while heritability of sedimentation volume, a much easier trait to measure, was slightly lower (h2 = 0.55). Certain protein fraction ratios strongly related to loaf volume had high heritability (h2 = 0.7). Even though only a moderate heritability estimate of dough extensibility was found in our study, high positive correlations were found between this parameter and sedimentation volume (r = 0.6) and loaf volume (r = 0.53). This low-input and highly repeatable parameter could be useful to estimate dough functionality characteristics. Flavor and texture heritability estimates ranged from 0.16 to 0.37, and the heritability estimate of aroma was not significantly different from zero. However, the sensorial characteristics were significantly correlated with each other, suggesting that we might be able to select indirectly for aroma by selecting for flavor or texture characteristics. From a genome-wide association study (GWAS), we identified six SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) associated with loaf volume that could be useful in breeding for this trait. Producing high-quality strong gluten flour in our high rainfall environment is a challenge, but it provides local growers and end users with a value-added opportunity.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Influence of nitrogen rate on yield and profitability of rye grain production

  Crop Forage & Turfgrass Management · 2023-07-18 · 1 citations

  article

  Abstract Rye ( Secale cereale L.) grain production in Kentucky is insufficient to meet the needs of distillers and bakers, in part because there is a knowledge gap about rye management that discourages farmers from choosing this crop. We conducted an economic study to develop recommendations for profitable rye grain production. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of two different nitrogen (N) rates (35 lb N acre −1 and 70 lb N acre −1 ) on yield and profitability of winter rye grain production. Experiments were conducted in 2020–2021 season at three Kentucky locations: Lexington, Princeton, and Adairville. Twenty‐four rye entries were planted in a split plot design experiment and the two N rates (35 lb N acre −1 and 70 lb N acre −1 ) were assigned to main plots. There was no significant difference in mean yield between 35 and 70 lb N acre −1 . This indicates that less investment in N fertilizer will not adversely affect grain yield level, will enhance profitability of production, and will benefit distillers due to the higher alcohol yield associated with higher starch and lower protein levels.

  PublisherDOI

• Breeding cereal rye (<i>Secale cereale</i>) for quality traits

  Crop Science · 2023-05-24 · 26 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Cereal rye ( Secale cereale ) is a multi‐purpose crop, harvested for grain (for food, feed, and other products) as well as used as a forage or cover crop. The functionality of rye across these spheres is due to its abiotic and biotic stress tolerance and unique phytochemical composition. In this review, we focus on the current state and prospects of breeding rye for quality traits, where we define quality traits as grain, feed, or forage quality. Rye grain for human consumption has numerous healthful compounds, notably high dietary fiber content in grain and unique flavors that contribute to the signature properties of rye baked products and distilled spirits. As a forage, rye is useful in marginal environments and has high quality, including high crude protein, and is thus valuable for livestock production. While yield remains a major focus of breeding efforts, due to recent improvements in rye genomic and phenotypic resources, there are now opportunities for increased attention on breeding high‐quality ryes for multiple end uses. Through genetic improvement of quality traits, cereal rye has the potential to expand and serve multiple markets as a climate‐resilient crop.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant R01MD005819

  NIH · $1.3M · 2015

• Project 4

  NIH · $14.7M · 2022–2027

Frequent coauthors

• L.F. Kubena

  87 shared

• Roger B. Harvey

  Agricultural Research Service

  64 shared

• Pauline E. Jolly

  University of Alabama at Birmingham

  43 shared

• Henry J. Huebner

  Universitätsklinikum Erlangen

  34 shared

• N. D. Heidelbaugh

  31 shared

• Jonathan H. Williams

  30 shared

• Evans Afriyie-Gyawu

  Georgia Southern University

  28 shared

• Jonathan K. Stiles

  27 shared

Education

• PhD, Chemistry

  University of Southern Mississippi

• BS, Chemistry/General Science

  Mississippi State University