Dr. Toby Russell in surgery.
Dr. Toby Russell, played by Caroline Kava, is a Federation scientist specializing in neurogenetic research, posted to the Adelman Neurological Institute. She created a number of revolutionary medical technologies and drugs, most notably the genitronic replicator, although not all of her innovations were successful. She often risked the lives of her patients in the name of her research, not caring whether or not the patient survived, only if she gained data from the attempt. She visited the Enterprise-D in 2368 at the request of Dr. Beverly Crusher, as a consult after Lieutenant Worf was paralyzed. She suggested using the untested genitronic replicator to repair Worf's spinal column, but Crusher felt the technology was too risky and would endanger Worf's life even further. Russell suggested the technology to Worf anyway, angering Dr. Crusher. Russell was on hand to assist in triage of victims from the USS Denver. Crusher later relieved her of medical duty after she used one of her experimental medications on a patient rather than a proven treatment that would have saved his life. After conferring with Captain Picard, Dr. Crusher decided to authorize the use of the genitronic replicator. Although the surgery was a success due to Worf's Klingon anatomy, Crusher still believed Russell practiced dangerous and inappropriate medicine, and reminded her of that fact as she left the Enterprise. (TNG: "Ethics")