Risk Assessment Specialty Section

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2009–2010 Annual Report

2008–2009 Annual Report

2008

I.  Officers/Committees:

II. Activities

2008 SOT Annual Meeting Reception was held March 17 in part of the SOT annual meeting in Seattle, WA. 
Approximately 250 people were in attendance.
Dr. Orme-Zavaleta called the meeting to order.
Meeting Minutes: see Attachment I
Current membership of RASS: 500

Awards

Best Abstract: 
Mode of Action Frameworks for Risk Assessment Challenges and Opportunities for Progress. Kathryn Guyton, USEPA

Perry Gehring Best Graduate Student Abstract: 
The Phthalate Ester family: Pharmacodynamic (PD) versus Pharmacokinetic (PK) Factors Affecting Potency in Testosterone-mediated Developmental Effects. Rebecca Clewell, The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, NC

Perry Gehring Best Postdoc Fellow Abstract: 
Predicting Lactational and Early Post-weaning Exposures in Rats Using Biologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling. Miyoung Yoon, USEPA

Best Manuscript Advancing Risk Assessment Science: 
Thomas, R. S., Allen, B. C., Nong, A., Yang, L., Bermudez, E., Clewell, H. J. 3rd, and Andersen, M. E.  2007. A method to integrate benchmark dose estimates with genomic data to assess the functional effects of chemical exposure. Toxicol Sci. 98(1):240-248.

Best Paper Demonstrating the Application of Risk Assessment:
Hasegawa, R., Hirata-Koizumi, M., Dourson, M., Parker, A., Hirose, A., Nakai, S., Kamata, E., and Ema, M.  2007.

Pediatric susceptibility to 18 industrial chemicals: a comparative analysis of newborn with young animals. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 47(3):296-307.

Roundtable at RASS Reception: 

Toxicity Testing in the 21^st Century

Panel Members: Harold Zenick, USEPA; John Bucher, NIEHS; Jim Bus, Dow Chemical; and Elaine Faustman, University of Washington

Other Specialty Section 2007-2008 Activities:

• New Student Representative: Sheppard Martin
• Thanks to our outgoing Student Rep: Vishakha Bhave 
• New Post Doc Representative: Jerry Campbell
• Renaming of Student Awards:
• Perry J. Gehring Best Graduate Student Abstract
• Perry J. Gehring Best post Doctoral Fellow Abstract
• Creation of Young Investigator & Sapphire Group Award
• Teleconference Seminar Series
• 9 sessions in last year; one joint with BMSS
• Presented RASS informational poster at student/postdoctoral mixer
• Development of RASS Informational Flyer
• Joint 2009 CE course with BMSS and MSS

Presented RASS informational poster at student/postdoctoral mixer

Distributed Logo Pins to RASS reception attendees

Attachment I.  Agenda for Annual Meeting

• Accomplishments for 2007-08
• RASS Best Abstract Awards
• RASS Best Manuscript Awards
• Remarks by Incoming President
• Round Table: Future of Toxicity Testing

2007

I.  Officers/Committees:

II. Activities

2007 SOT Annual Meeting Reception was held March 26 in part of the SOT annual meeting in Charlotte, NC. 
Approximately 200 people were in attendance.
Dr. Gargas called the meeting to order.
Meeting Minutes:  see Attachment I
Current membership of RASS:  599

Awards

Best abstract: 
Visual Function Changes after Subchronic Toluene Inhalation in Long-Evans Rats. William Boyes, Laura Degn, Mark Bercegeay, Jean-Claude Mwanza, Charles Pinckney, Tracey Samsam, Andrew Geller, Philip Bushnell, USEPA

Best student abstract: 
Cross-Species Association Mapping Identifies Genetic Risk Factors for Liver Toxicity. Alison I. Hege, Mark W. Russo, Stephen Su, Pamela K. Ross, Ioannis M. Stylianou, Gary A. Boorman, Raymond Tennant, Molly A. Bogue, Kenneth Paigen, Timothy Wiltshire, Paul B. Watkins, Ivan Rusyn, and David W. Threadgill, University of North Carolina

Best postdoc abstract: 
Characterization of Sensitivity of Risk Estimates to Uncertainties Associated with Biologically Based Modeling of Formaldehyde Carcinogenicity. Yu-Ching Yang, Kai H Liao, Bruce C Allen, Yu-Mei Tan, and Harvey J Clewell. CIIT Centers for Health Research

Best Manuscript Advancing Risk Assessment Science: 
Yu, Xiaozhong; Griffith William C; Hanspers Kristina; Dillman James F; Ong Hansel; Vredevoogd Melinda A; Faustman Elaine M. 2006. A system-based approach to interpret dose- and time-dependent microarray data: quantitative integration of gene ontology analysis for risk assessment. Toxicological Sciences; Aug. 92 (2) p560-77.

Best Paper Demonstrating the Application of Risk Assessment:
Cox, Louis Anthony Tony; Sanders, Edward. 2006. Estimating preventable fractions of disease caused by a specified biological mechanism: PAHs in smoking lung cancers as an example. Risk Analysis. 26 (4) p881-92.

Featured Speaker at RASS Reception: 

Melvin E. Andersen, Ph.D., DABT

Toxicity Testing and Risk Assessment: Issues and Directions

Other Specialty Section 2006-2007 Activities:

Monthly Telecon Series – the State of our Science. Eight telecons held

• 10/06 A Biologically-Based Model for Low-Dose Extrapolation of Cancer Risk from Ionizing Radiation-Doug Crawford-Brown
• 11/06 Use of Developmental Neurotoxicity Data in Risk Assessment at EPA: Current Status and Future Efforts-Kathleen Raffaele and William Mundy
• 12/06 The Application of Genomic Dose-Response Data in Risk Assessment-Harvey Clewell and Rusty Thomas CIIT Centers for Health Research
• 1/ 07 Framework for Inorganic Metals Risk Assessment-Anne Fairbrother, Randy Wentsel, Bill Wood, Keith Sappington, and Pam Noyes Office of Research and Development
• 2/07 Benchmark Dose Evaluations for Acute Inhalation Exposures to Human Toxicants-G.V. Alexeeff, K. K. Deng, R. L. Broadwin, A. G. Salmon
• 3/ 07 Developing Tumor-Associated Somatic Mutations as Biomarkers of Cancer Risk-Barbara Parsons
• 4/07 Model Averaging: Beyond Model Uncertainty in Risk Analysis-Matthew W. Wheeler
• 5/07 The UNC Atmospheric Simulation Chamber Toxicology System-Effects of Chemical Transformations in Complex Mixtures-Harvey Jeffries, Kenneth G. Sexton, Seth Ebersviller, Kim de Bruijne, Erin Potts, Liz Naess

Submittal of comments on the OMB Risk Assessment Guidance Bulletin.

Compilation of graduate and postdoctoral training programs completed - database contains contacts for approximately 40 programs

Web site update and development of logo completed

Presented RASS informational poster at student/postdoctoral mixer

New Student Representative: Vishakha Bhave

Distributed Logo Pins to RASS reception attendees

Attachment I.  Agenda for Annual Meeting

• Accomplishments for 2005-06
• RASS Best Abstract Awards
• RASS Best Manuscript Awards
• Remarks by Incoming President
• Guest Speaker: Dr. Mel Anderson, Toxicity Testing, and Risk Assessment: Issues and Directions

2005

ANNUAL REPORT:
2005-2006 May 1, 2005 to April 30, 2006

II Activities:
2006 SOT Annual Meeting Reception was held March 8 in part of the SOT annual meeting in San Diego, CA. 
Approximately 200 people were in attendance.
Dr. Krishnan called the meeting to order.
Meeting Minutes:  see Attachment I
Current membership of RASS:  460

Awards

Best abstract:
Benchmark Dose Evaluation for Human Irritation.  George Alexeeff, K.K. Deng, R. Broadwin and A.G. Salmon.  OEHHA, Cal/EPA.

Best student abstract:
Utilizing Human Cytochrome P450 Specific Content and Activity to Better Model Parathion and Chlorpyrifos Metabolism in Infants, Children, and Adults.  Robert Foxenberg, JB Knaak, BP McGarrigle, PJ, Kostyniak, and JR. Olson.  SUNY at Buffalo

Best postdoc abstract:  Normal Gene Expression in Male and Female Sprague Dawley Rat Nasal Respiratory and Olfactory Epithelia.  Elizabeth S. Roberts, NV Soucy, AM Bonner, and DC Dorman. CIIT Centers for Health Research

Best Manuscript Advancing Risk Assessment Science:
Simmons, J. E., Evans, M. V., and Boyes, W. K. (2005). Moving from external exposure concentration to internal dose: duration extrapolation based on physiologically based pharmacokinetic derived estimates of internal dose. J Toxicol. Environ. Health A 68(11–12), 927–950.

Best Paper Demonstrating the Application of  Risk Assessment:
Walker, N. J., Crockett, P. W., Nyska, A., Brix, A. E., Jokinen, M. P., Sells, D. M., Hailey, J. R., Easterling, M., Haseman, J. K., Yin, M., Wyde, M. E., Bucher, J. R., and Portier, C. J. (2005). Dose-additive carcinogenicity of a defined mixture of "dioxin-like compounds". Environ. Health Perspect. 113(1), 43-48.

Featured Panel Discussion at RASS Reception: 
OMB Draft Risk Assessment Bulletin
Overview of OMB proposal:  Nancy Beck, ORA, OMB; Panel commentary:  George Alexeeff, Cal EPA; William Farland, EPA; Judy Graham, ACC; Christopher Portier, NIEHS; Renee Sharp, EWG

Other Specialty Section 2005-2006 Activities:

Monthly Telecon Series: the State of our Science2005:

• 2005:Dose-Response Modeling for EPA’s Organophosphate Cumulative Risk Assessment: Combining Information from Several Datasets to Estimate Relative Potency Factors—R. Woodrow Setzer
• February:  Dosimetry Can Change Mechanistic Models: The Challenge of Scrutinizing the Source Before Gathering and Analyzing the Data—Owen R. Moss
• May:  Mode of Action/ Human Relevance Analysis For Incorporating Mechanistic Data in Human Health Risk — Drs. Vicki Dellarco & Anna Lowit

Contemporary Concepts in Toxicology (CCT) program – Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) — Bridging Components Along the Exposure-Dose-Response Continuum; July 25 ? 27, 2005; Followup is planned, including publication of proceedings of the first workshop, and development of a second workshop with focus on case studies

Submittal of comments on the OMB Risk Assessment Guidance Bulletin is planned.

Compilation of graduate and postdoctoral training programs completed - database contains contacts for approximately 40 programs

Web site update and development of logo completed

New Postdoctoral Fellow award for best presentation implemented

Attachment I.  Agenda for Annual Meeting

• Accomplishments for 2005-06
• RASS Best Abstract Awards
• RASS Best Manuscript Awards
• Remarks by Incoming President
• Panel Discussion:  Proposed OMB Bulletin on Risk Assessment

2004

ANNUAL REPORT: 2004-2005
June 30, 2004 to July 1, 2005
I.  Officers:

2003

At our annual meeting in Nashville, the RASS council updated the Section on several ongoing activities. Our website is now up and running. Special thanks goes to Steve DiZio, John Christopher, and Manita Rawat for pulling it together! Dennis Paustenbach received a strong show of support for his proposal for basic and advanced courses in risk assessment at SOT 2003. Mike Dourson summarized ongoing discussions with Council to develop a position on the use of human data in risk assessment. Matt Bogdanffy proposed that during the 2002/2003 years we experiment with the concept of "Tele-seminars" in which brief (30 min) seminars be presented via conference call and web-based presentation materials. We hope to hold the first such tele-seminar in the next month or two, so stay tuned. Matt also brought to attention ongoing activities between SOT and the Society of Risk Analysis (SRA) to prepare for the first World Congress on Risk. Mike Dourson (RASS Outgoing President) will be part of an ad hoc team representing SOT in the SRA-SOT program development. Members are encouraged to visit the SRA website (www.sra.org). Finally, the section was treated to a very interesting, humorous and somewhat troubling discussion by Councilor Mike Kamrin entitled "Exaggerated precision and accuracy in reporting risk values harms both science and risk management". On behalf of the Specialty Section, let me extend great thanks to Mike for his enlightening discussion.

SOT 2003 in Salt Lake City is promising to offer a very exciting program. At the time of this writing, the Risk Assessment Specialty Section council is busy reviewing and prioritizing symposia, workshops and continuing education proposals. Fifteen proposals have been received and cover topics ranging from issues of cumulative risk, to risk assessments of bioterrorism, to bioethics and the use of genomics data. As mentioned above, we are also hoping to sponsor a comprehensive basic and advanced CE course in risk assessment. Stay tuned and thanks to all who have taken the time to develop a program proposal!