About

BJ Magnani’s fascination with toxicology led her to a career in pathology and laboratory medicine. She is currently Professor of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Emerita at Tufts University School of Medicine and writes the Dr. Lily Robinson series about a poison-savvy physician recruited by the U.S. government as an assassin.

​Before becoming a full-time author, Barbarajean (BJ) Magnani, PhD, MD, FCAP, was the former Chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Tufts Medical Center and at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA, and served as the Chair of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Toxicology Committee.

​Dr. Magnani, internationally recognized for her expertise in clinical chemistry and toxicology, has been named a Top Doctor in Boston magazine and has received recognition from Castle Connelly for Exceptional Women in Medicine. She was also named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Laboratory Medicine Professionals in the World by “The Pathologist.”

​Dr. Magnani has presented numerous workshops and seminars and has received three Outstanding Speaker Awards from the Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC, now ADLM), as well as a Recognition Award for Significant Service from the Massachusetts Poison Control Systems in Boston. In addition, Dr. Magnani received the 2012 Outstanding Communicator Award, the 2014 Distinguished Patient Care Award, and the 2014 Gene and Jean Herbek Humanitarian Award from the College of American Pathologists (CAP)/CAP Foundation, the leading organization for board-certified pathologists.

The Distinguished Career in Teaching Award from Tufts University School of Medicine was given to Dr. Magnani in 2019, and the Tufts Physicians Organization created an annual award in the name of Dr. Barbarajean Magnani to recognize a woman physician/scientist who “demonstrates institutional impact and leadership: outstanding accomplishments in the advancement of gender parity and leadership of women in science and medicine.”

In 2024, Dr. Magnani received the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Alumni Spotlight Award from Hofstra University. "The award recognizes alumni who have achieved distinction through leadership, excellence, and innovation in their respective fields."

Dr. Magnani has served as the member-at-large of the TDM and Toxicology Division of the AACC (ADLM) and as an editor of Clinical and Forensic Toxicology News. She also served as a member of the Council on Scientific Affairs for the CAP. In addition to her works of fiction, she is co-editor of The Clinical Toxicology Laboratory: Contemporary Practice of Poisoning Evaluation, 1st and 2nd editions (AACC Press) and Clinical Toxicology Testing: A Guide for Laboratory Professionals, 1st and 2nd editions (CAP Press). Dr. Magnani is also the author of multiple scholarly book chapters on natural toxins and toxicology testing and of peer-reviewed scientific journal articles.

Featured Work

WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE POISON

2024
book cover showing shadowy a woman in heels walking and a large molecular structure

In this series finale, pathologist Dr. Lily Robinson races around the globe to hunt an assassin who, like her, finds poison the weapon of choice.

​A world-renowned climatologist is found dead off the Great Barrier Reef of northern Australia weeks before he’s set to deliver his earth-shattering findings at the international Climate Council conference. Was it greed to maintain the status quo of fossil fuels—or revolutionary new science—that motivated his murder? Can Lily Robinson stop the killer before another climate scientist dies?

With operative and lover JP Marchand at her side, Lily uncovers a cunning plot that endangers world order, and changes the trajectory of her life—forever.

Lily Robinson is recovering from her last mission, dwelling on her past, and second-guessing her life choices. Does the good of the many truly outweigh the good of the one? She’d thought so. So, when a prominent climate scientist dies under mysterious circumstances, she is easily persuaded to get back into the game and work with the U.S. Government’s special anti-terrorism team.

​The trail takes Lily first to Cape Town, South Africa, then to Sydney, Australia, and finally to Brussels, Belgium, the Climate Council’s conference venue. Yet, globetrotting plays havoc with Lily’s memories—her time with Rose’s father, Charles, her initial recruitment by the legendary Pixie Dust, and her relationship with her partner, JP.

​Lily comes full circle as she learns the truth and confronts the killer. She knows how it started, but how will it end?

Other Works

  • A MESSAGE IN POISON

    2022, Encircle Publications, Farmington ME

  • THE POWER OF POISON

    2021, Encircle Publications, Farmington ME

  • THE QUEEN OF ALL POISONS

    2018, Encircle Publications, Farmington ME

  • LILY ROBINSON AND THE ART OF SECRET POISONING

    2011 nVision Publishing