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President's Message
Special Issue 2008
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Meet the 2007–2008
Society of Toxicology
President
George B. Corcoran |
One observation that continues to astound me, even after 20 years with our Society, is the uncommon abilities and fierce dedication of the many who have worked to make the SOT what it is today. I ask you to return to December of 2003, to an optimistic and arguably naive candidate statement that "we have it in our power to become the most admired of all professional societies, because of our vision, our values, and our unwavering commitment to excellence." The 2008–2011 SOT Strategic Plan offers the means and opportunity, when coupled with your ability, to turn that dream into reality. Our vision is to Create a Safer and Healthier World by Advancing the Science of Toxicology. I hope that you will take a moment to visit the Acknowledgments section of the plan to see the impressive cast of creators firsthand. I have been humbled to play a small role in this ongoing process. The plan is being presented to leadership groups in the Society (Committee Chairs, Past Presidents, Regional Chapter/Specialty Section/Special Interest Group Presidents) and distributed to all members via the web for comment. Please attend the Town Hall Meeting at Noon on Wednesday, March 19 in Seattle and contribute your ideas and comments about your Strategic Plan.
SOT Council takes great pleasure in reporting a breakthrough in ongoing discussions of SOT leaders and members with Dr. Antonio Scarpa, Director of the NIH Center for Scientific Review. Dr. Scarpa and NIEHS Acting Director Dr. Sam Wilson announced on February 20 the formation of a new Systemic Injury by Environmental Exposure (SIEE) Special Emphasis Panel (SEP) in the Digestive Disease IRG. This SEP will review applications related to the pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms whereby xenobiotics (including toxicants, alcohol, drugs, biopharmaceuticals, phytochemicals, and other non-drug chemicals) affect distinct organ systems, other than the digestive and nervous systems, including cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, hematopoietic, renal, respiratory/pulmonary, immune, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Other covered areas are skin, oral, dental and craniofacial tissues, pregnancy and development. Applications addressing the effects of xenobiotics at the multi-organ level may also be considered. The creation of this SEP establishes a temporary review body that will be populated by toxicologists and will review toxicology grant applications.
SIEE will review applications from June 2008 and will operate for a one year probationary period. For SIEE to be viable for conversion to a standing Study Section, it is imperative for toxicologists to request that their qualifying grants be assigned to this SEP. Moreover, it has never been more important for toxicologists to volunteer to serve as reviewers on SIEE and other NIH Study Sections that review toxicology applications. If you know toxicologists who are qualified for study section membership (i.e., currently funded by NIH and willing to serve), please do everything you can to encourage them to contact Shawn Lamb at SOT Headquarters. Learn more about this important new SEP and how to nominate study section reviewers by reading the CSR article later in the Communiqué, and watch your e-mail box for specific details.
Dr. Scarpa will be attending the 2008 SOT Annual Meeting in Seattle and will make a presentation on Wednesday, March 19th at 1:30 PM describing "Enhancements in the Review of NIH Grant Applications." He will be able to answer questions about how the new Systemic Injury by Environmental Exposure Special Emphasis Panel will operate and what would be required for it to become viable for conversion to a standing Study Section. I strongly encourage toxicology researchers who plan on seeking funding from NIH to attend what promises to be a most informative presentation.
For the second straight year, the SOT Annual Meeting will be enriched by presentations from two Nobel Laureates. The opening Keynote Address—"Perspectives on Science in the 21st Century"—will be presented by Dr. Lee Hartwell of the University of Washington. Dr. Hartwell received the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work detailing the genetics of cell division. Professor Sir John Walker will present the MRC Keynote Address and Lecture on Wednesday morning entitled "Biological Energy Conversion and Its Toxic Consequences." He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1997 for work with Paul Boyer elucidating the enzymatic synthesis of ATP. The Society is deeply honored by the participation of these pioneering scientists. Our Society is further privileged to be able to announce that Nobel Laureates H. Robert Horvitz and Lee Hartwell will receive the highest recognition bestowed by SOT when they are inducted as Honorary Members at the 2008 meeting in Seattle.
In my final President?s Message, I wish each of you the very best in all of your professional and personal endeavors, I ask that you continue to advance the discipline you have made and call your own, and I challenge you to continue making your Society Almost Amazing through your vision, your values, and your unwavering commitment to excellence. You have it in your power to place SOT among the most admired of all professional societies, where it can claim rightful recognition and respect for being guardians of human health and protectors of the environment.
See you in Seattle.
Warmest regards,
George B. Corcoran,
2007–2008 SOT President
Past President Corcoran's Messages
Summer/Fall 2007
Spring 2007
Past Presidents of the Society
Contacting
the President
The
SOT President would like to hear from you on issues related to the
Society of Toxicology and/or toxicological sciences in general.
Send all correspondence to:
Dr. George B. Corcoran
SOT Headquarters
1821 Michael Faraday Drive, Suite 300
Reston, VA 20190-5332
E-mail: corcoran@wayne.edu
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