Society of Toxicology

Fund Established January 2012

Daniel and Patricia Acosta

The Daniel and Patricia Acosta Diversity Student Fund was established with a generous gift from Dr. Acosta and his wife to provide support for the Society of Toxicology’s Diversity Student programs. The fund honors Dr. Acosta’s considerable contributions to the science of toxicology and his family’s strong interest in encouraging individuals from ethnic groups under-represented in the sciences to enter the field of toxicology. Dr. Acosta is the fourth Dean of the University of Cincinnati’s James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy. He was a member of The University of Texas College of Pharmacy faculty for 22 years where he helped develop a nationally ranked program in toxicology as the first Director of the Toxicology Training Program. Dr. Acosta also was responsible for encouraging minority students to consider careers in pharmacy and biomedical research through several federal and private grants. Proceeds from the Fund will be used annually to further the objectives of the Society’s Education Fund as determined by the SOT Council and, to the extent feasible, be identified as having been funded by the Daniel and Patricia Acosta Diversity Student Fund.

Mary Amdur Student Award Fund

Fund Established October 2007

Mary Amdur

“Mary Amdur had a major impact on my career and that of many other toxicologists. I want to see her achievements honored through a Student Award Fund that will be continued in perpetuity.”

Rudolph J. Jaeger

This Fund was initiated by students and colleagues of the late Mary Amdur to memorialize her substantial contributions to the science of inhalation and respiratory toxicology and encourage students to pursue a career in this field. The Amdur Student Award Fund is aligned with the Inhalation and Respiratory Specialty Section. Proceeds from this Fund are used to provide stipends that accompany the student awards of the Inhalation and Respiratory Specialty Section. Mary Amdur was a pioneer in conducting research to understand the effects of exposure to airborne sulfur dioxide and sulfate aerosols. She is the only woman to have received the SOT’s prestigious Merit Award.

Young Soo Choi Student Scholarship Award Fund

Fund Established July 2008

Young Soo Choi

The Young Soo Choi Student Scholarship Award has been created with an initial generous gift from Yung Soo Choi. Proceeds from the Young Soo Choi Student Scholarship Fund will be used to provide a scholarship for graduate training in toxicology to a Korean student (having been born in Korea or, if born in the United States, having one or more parents of Korean descent). The Fund is aligned with the Korean Toxicologists Association in America (KTAA), an SOT Special Interest Group. The Choi Scholarship Fund recipient will be selected by a Committee appointed by the KTAA. Young Soo Choi was born in Korea, received her graduate education in the United States and had a distinguished career as a Toxicologist/Expert Pharmacologist at the US Food and Drug Administration. The Scholarship will serve to memorialize the commitment of the Young Soo Choi to higher education and her contributions to the field of toxicology.

Laxman S. Desai Association of Scientists of Indian Origin Student Award Fund

Fund Established January 2009

Laxman S. Desai

The Laxman S. Desai Association of Scientists of Indian Origin Student Award Fund was created to provide support for Awards that will encourage graduate students and Postdoctoral Fellows, who are of Indian origin, to pursue advanced studies in the field of toxicology. The Fund is aligned with the Association of Scientists of Indian Origin Special Interest Group (ASIO SIG). Proceeds from the Fund will be used to cover travel expenses to the SOT Annual Meeting or best paper Awards based on abstracts accepted for presentation at the SOT Annual Meeting.

The Fund was initiated with a generous gift from Laxman S. Desai. Dr. Desai has had a distinguished career as a scientist and businessman. He was born in India and received his university training in Toxicology/Pharmacology in Belgium. He immigrated to the United States in 1967. Recognizing the need for contract analytical and toxicological services to support the life sciences industry, he founded Toxikon, which now operates internationally. Dr. Desai has served as a role model for other scientists and especially those of Indian origin.

The award recipients will be selected by the ASIO SIG on the basis of merit and promise of continued exemplary professional performance. Each Award funded by proceeds from this Fund will bear the name Laxman S. Desai. With an initial contribution from Dr. Desai and associated SOT matching funds, the Desai Fund has initial assets of $25,000 and, thus, is designated as a Permanently Restricted Net Asset Fund to be continued in perpetuity.

Diversity Initiatives Fund

Fund Established January 2009

Diversity Initiatives

The Diversity Initiatives Fund was created to provide proceeds for enhancing the strategic growth initiatives of the Society of Toxicology aimed at increasing and retaining individuals from groups under-represented in the field of toxicology. The Fund is aligned with the Committee on Diversity Initiatives and has been designated as a Permanently Restricted Net Asset Fund and will be continued in perpetuity. The Committee will provide leadership to grow the Fund and will propose specific uses for the proceeds from the Fund within the overall budget developed for the activities of the Committee on Diversity Initiatives.

The initiatives may include, but will not be limited to: (a) Funding more students to attend the flagship annual Undergraduate Education Program for Minority Students; (b) Funding to allow students to extend their stay at the Annual Meeting longer than two nights, allowing them the opportunity to attend more scientific sessions; and (c) Broadening and deepening the institutional outreach to more institutions with significant enrollment of under-represented individuals.

Creation of the Fund provides a vehicle for contributors who have a special interest in SOT’s diversity initiatives, including those who have been past participants in the programs, to provide financial support for future diversity activities.

John Doull Student Award Fund

Fund Established March 2010

John Doull

“I am gratified by the generosity of my fellow SOT members who are helping grow an SOT Endowment Fund that is on track to have assets of over $1 million by the SOT’s 50th Anniversary.”

John Doull

This Fund was created to honor a Charter Member of the SOT, SOT’s 26th President (1986–1987), and the first recipient of the SOT Endowment Fund Founders Award (2008). Creation of the John Doull Student Award Fund was initiated by Dr. Dennis Paustenbach, DABT, ATS to recognize Dr. Doull’s illustrious career in toxicology with more than 50 years of productive contributions to teaching, research, and the application of toxicological principles to safety evaluation in the support and enhancement of public health. Particularly noteworthy has been his leadership in promulgating a most authoritative source of toxicology principles presented in the serial publication of Casarett and Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons. Furthermore, he has advanced the fields of safety evaluation of chemicals and health risk assessment through his formal participation in numerous national and international authoritative groups including those of the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council, the International Life Sciences Institute, and the National Institutes of Health. Proceeds will provide annual awards to graduate students or postdoctoral fellows for their research abstracts relating to Health Risk Assessment at the SOT Annual Meeting. The Award recipients will be selected by the Risk Assessment Specialty Section.

Founders Fund

Fund Established September 2007

founding Members

The Founders of the Society of Toxicology, March 4, 1961: (top row) Paul S. Larson,
C. Boyd Shaffer, Victor A. Drill,
Frederick Coulston, Kenneth P. DuBois; (bottom row) Harry W. Hays,
Harold C. Hodge, Arnold J. Lehman, and
William B. Diechmann.

“The Society and its members afforded me a great opportunity to grow professionally and I am committed to returning that favor by supporting the Endowment Fund.”

Robert A. Scala

The Founders Award was first given in 2008 and John Doull was the first recipient.

The Founders Fund was created to recognize the uniquely valuable contributions of those professionals who organized and devoted their creative energies and time to the establishment of this Society and whose vision provided the foundation for vital contributions aimed at the protection of public health worldwide. The Founders Fund was initiated with financial contributions from individual members of the Society of Toxicology whose careers were shaped in large measure by the vision and professional contributions of the Society’s founders. Proceeds from the Founders Fund are used to provide a cash stipend to be given to the recipient of the SOT Founders Award selected annually by the SOT Awards Committee. The SOT Awards Committee will select the recipient of the Founders Award from nominations of individuals, who are Full or Retired Full members of the SOT, that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in fostering the role of toxicological sciences in safety decision-making through the development and/or application of state-of-the-art approaches that elucidate, with a high degree of confidence, the distinctions for humans between safe and unsafe levels of exposures to chemical and physical agents.

Angelo Furgiuele Young Investigator Technology Award Fund

Fund Established July 2008

Angelo Furgiuele

The Angelo Furgiuele Young Investigator Technology Award Fund was created with an initial generous gift from Angelo and Christine Furgiuele. The Fund is aligned with the Reproductive and Developmental Specialty Section. Proceeds from the Fund will be used for an Award to be presented to a Young Investigator in the field of reproductive and developmental toxicology to purchase technological enhancements such as computer hardware, software or analytical equipment that will facilitate the conduct of research by the Award Recipient. Angelo and Christine Furgiuele recognize that the availability of modest funds to purchase key technology for a young investigator in a non-profit institution can significantly increase the potential for the investigator achieving a successful research outcome. Thus, they have initiated this Fund as a means of facilitating research in Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology, an area that was of interest to Dr. Furgiuele as a young scientist. The first Angelo Furgiuele Award will be given after the Fund has achieved assets of $25,000 and, thus, recognition as a Permanently Restricted Net Asset Fund.

Perry J. Gehring Biological Modeling Student Award Fund

Fund Established July 2008

Perry J. Gehring

This Fund was created to honor the legacy of Perry J.Gehring and to encourage students to pursue careers that utilize biological modeling to advance the science of toxicology. The Fund is aligned with the Biological Modeling Specialty Section. This Fund was also established with initial generous contributions from the family of the late Perry J. Gehring and his long-time friends, Joe and Teri LeBeau. One of Perry’s early scientific interests was in the use of biological modeling to understand species differences and similarities in the disposition of chemicals, thereby improving the ability to understand how chemicals might affect people. The biological modeling research conducted by Perry and his colleagues on vinyl chloride remains a classic example of the important role of biological modeling in understanding human risks of chemicals.

Perry J. Gehring Diversity Student Travel Award Fund

Fund Established July 2008

Perry J. Gehring

This Fund was created to honor the legacy of Perry J. Gehring and to encourage students from ethnic groups under-represented in toxicology to pursue careers in toxicology. Proceeds from the Fund will be used to fund one or more Awards to be given to students from an ethnic group under-represented in toxicology (African American, Hispanic, Native American or Pacific Islander) thereby assisting the Award Recipients in their participation in the Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology. The Committee on Diversity Initiatives will select award recipients based on merit identifying students who have the potential for achieving excellence as a graduate student and, ultimately, as a member of the scientific community. Beyond his contributions as a scientist and manager, Perry J. Gehring had a strong interest in encouraging individuals from ethnic groups under-represented in the sciences to enter the field and, especially, the biomedical sciences and toxicology.

2011 Award Recipient

Perry J. Gehring Risk Assessment Student Award Fund

Fund Established July 2008

Perry J. Gehring

“Joining with Barbara Gehring and her children to help create the Gehring Fund provided a way for Teri and me to honor the memory of a long-time friend who had a major influence on my career and life.”

Joe LeBeau

This Fund was created to honor the legacy of Perry J. Gehring and to encourage students to pursue careers that utilize modern toxicological science in risk assessment. The Perry J. Gehring Risk Assessment Student Award Fund is aligned with the Risk Assessment Specialty Section. The Fund was created with initial generous gifts from Barbara Gehring and children and Joe and Teri LeBeau to memorialize Perry J. Gehring’s contributions to toxicology. Proceeds from the Fund will be used to provide stipends to student recipients of awards given for excellence in Risk Assessment. Perry Gehring, who served as President of the SOT (1980–1981), had a distinguished career as a toxicologist and was a pioneer in advancing the science of risk-based decision making.

Harry W. Hays Memorial Fund

Fund Established May 2009

William C. Hays

Harry W. Hays

“I initiated the creation of this Fund to memorialize the contributions of my uncle, Harry W. Hays (1909–2001).”

William C. Hays

The Harry W. Hays Memorial Fund was established in the memory of Harry W. Hays, a founder of the Society of Toxicology and the Society’s fourth President (1964–1965). Contributions to this Fund will be matched until the 50th Anniversary Matching funds have been fully utilized. Dr. Hays also played a vital role in documenting the history of the Society through its first 25 years. In 1961, on the occasion of the founding of the Society, Dr. Hays foresaw bright promise ahead, both for toxicology as a learned profession and for the Society as a body of scientists of widely diverse interests working together for the advancement of the science of toxicology and the promotion of a better and safer environment. Proceeds from the fund will be used annually to further the objectives of either or both the Society’s Education Fund or SOT Priority Needs Fund as determined by the SOT Council and, to the extent feasible, be identified as having been funded by the Harry W. Hays Memorial Fund. Thus, this Memorial Fund will be used to continue to bring reality to the bright promise for toxicology that Harry Hays envisioned in 1961.

Health and Environmental Science Institute Immunotoxicology Young Investigator Student Award Fund

Fund Established July 2008

This Fund, created in July 2008 with an initial generous gift from the International Life Sciences Institute—Health and Environmental Sciences Institute, is intended to advance the education and training of young investigators in the field of Immunotoxicology. Proceeds from the Fund will be used to provide travel stipends to meritorious applicants to assist in the Awardees attending and participating in the Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology. The Fund is aligned with the Immunotoxicology Specialty Section. The Immunotoxicology Committee of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI)—Health and Environmental Science Institute (HESI) has recognized the importance of encouraging the education and training of young scientists in the field of immunotoxicology and encouraged ILSI-HESI to make the initial generous contribution creating this Fund.

Vera W. Hudson and Elizabeth K. Weisburger Scholarship Fund

Fund Established October 2007

wesiburger

Elizabeth K. Weisburger

“The initial announcement that the SOT was accepting funds to establish Charitable Gift Annuities had me mildly interested. The death of a colleague and co-author, Vera W. Hudson, led me to reconsider a donation to the SOT as a memorial for Vera.”

Elizabeth K. Weisburger

The Vera W. Hudson and Elizabeth K. Weisburger Scholarship Fund was created with a generous gift from Elizabeth K. Weisburger, a long-time member of the SOT. Elizabeth created the Fund to honor the memory of her deceased long-time friend and professional associate, Vera W. Hudson. Vera was a biologist and information specialist at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) for many years, she had an important role in developing the NLM Hazardous Substances Data Bank and other sources of toxicology information on chemicals. Proceeds from the Vera W. Hudson and Elizabeth K. Weisburger Fund will be used to fund scholarships for individuals, with preference to women, pursuing graduate studies in Toxicology. Elizabeth has also purchased a Charitable Gift Annuity, see description below, with the Vera W. Hudson and Elizabeth K. Weisburger Scholarship Fund named as the beneficiary. The Scholarship Fund is open to receive contributions from other donors who would like to honor Vera and Elizabeth and encourage women in the field of toxicology.

Frank C. Lu Food Safety Student Award Fund

Fund Established November 1998

Frank C. Lu

“I am pleased that the SOT Endowment Fund has become a reality and that the Frank C. Lu Student Award Fund is now part of the Endowment. This will ensure that these Funds will be continued in perpetuity and provide benefits that will encourage student participation in the SOT.”

Frank C. Lu

This Fund, aligned with the Food Safety Specialty Section, predates the establishment of the Endowment Fund and is now a part of the SOT Endowment Fund. It was created with an initial generous contribution from Frank C. Lu, a charter member of the SOT. Proceeds from the Fund are used for the stipends that accompany student awards of the Food Safety Specialty Section. These awards have served to foster the interest of students in food safety issues.

Jean Lu Student Scholarship Award Fund

Fund Established July 2008

Jean Lu

The Jean Lu Student Scholarship Award Fund was established with an initial generous gift from Dr. Frank C. Lu, a charter member of the SOT, in memory of his wife, Jean Lu. The fund was created to provide a lump sum scholarship each year to a Chinese student (having been born in China or, if born in the United States, having one or more parents of Chinese descent), who is interested in graduate training in toxicology. The Fund is aligned with the American Association of Chinese in Toxicology, an SOT Special Interest Group.

Roger O. McClellan Student Award Fund

Fund Established October 2007

Dr. Mclellan

Roger O. McClellan

“Participation in the SOT has been one of the cornerstones of my career. I want to help create financial resources so the SOT can continue to nurture the professional growth of future generations of toxicologists.”

Roger O. McClellan

This Fund was created to encourage individuals trained in Veterinary Medicine to pursue careers in biomedical research including comparative toxicology and pathology. The McClellan Student Award Fund is aligned with the Comparative and Veterinary Specialty Section and the Toxicology and Exploratory Pathology Specialty Section. The Fund was created with an initial generous gift from Roger and Kathleen McClellan. Proceeds from the Fund will be used to provide cash stipends to Award recipients selected on the basis of the scientific merit of papers proposed for presentation at the Annual Meeting. Special consideration will be given to papers that exemplify the role of comparative medicine in evaluating the safety/risks of exposure to chemicals or physical agents. Nominees for the Award(s) must be individuals enrolled in a program leading to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or in a post-DVM residency or graduate program. Roger O. McClellan received his DVM from Washington State University. He has spent his entire career in biomedical research with emphasis on inhalation toxicology and human health risk analysis drawing on his training in comparative medicine. He is one of only a few Veterinarians and Toxicologists elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. He has served the SOT in many roles including as President (1989–1990) and Founding Chair (2007 to date) of the SOT Endowment Fund Board.

Harihara Mehendale Association of Scientists of Indian Origin Student Award Fund

Fund Established July 2008

Harihara Mehendale

This Fund was created with an initial generous gift from Harihara and Rekha Mehendale. Proceeds from the Fund will be used to fund Award(s) that will encourage graduate students and Postdoctoral Fellows, who are individuals of Indian origin, to pursue advanced studies in the field of toxicology. The Fund is aligned with the Association of Scientists of Indian Origin (ASIO) Special Interest Group. Harihara Mehendale has had an outstanding career as a toxicologist and is well known for his role in teaching and mentoring students. Numerous individuals with varied backgrounds, including many individuals of Indian origin, have been introduced to toxicology and advanced in the field under his guidance.

Metals Specialty Section Student Research Award Fund

Fund Established October 2009

The Metals Specialty Section Student Research Award Fund was created by a group of SOT members who have actively conducted and communicated research on metals action and toxicity for many years. Proceeds of the fund will be used for research awards given to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for excellence in mechanistic research of metals toxicity at the annual SOT meeting.

Molecular Biology Student Award Fund

Fund Established October 2007

This fund was created with a generous gift from Thomas R. Sutter when he was Vice President of the Molecular Biology Specialty Section. Proceeds from the Fund will provide cash stipends to accompany student awards given by the Molecular Biology Specialty Section at each SOT Annual Meeting. Award recipients will be selected based on scientific merit. The Fund is aligned with the Molecular Biology Specialty Section.

Sheldon D. Murphy Memorial Fund

Fund Established May 2011

Sheldon D. Murphy

We created this fund to honor the memory of a great leader, mentor, colleague and friend—Sheldon D. Murphy (1933–1990), a pioneer of 20th century toxicology.

Nancy B. Beck, Gary P. Bond, Joseph F. Borzelleca, Steven D. Cohen, Lucio G. Costa, John Doull, David L. Eaton, Marion F. Ehrich, Eileen P. Hayes, J. Daniel Heck, Rudolph J. Jaeger, Terrance J. Kavanagh, Robert H. Ku, Roger O. McClellan, Augustine E. Moffitt, Gilbert S. Omenn, Curtis J. Omiecinski, Timothy D. Phillips, Carey N. Pope, Tetsuo Satoh, Robert J. Szot

The Sheldon D. Murphy Memorial Fund was established in memory of Sheldon D. Murphy, a Charter Member of the SOT, and its fourteenth President (1974–1975). Dr. Murphy was an inspiring leader who made significant contributions in toxicology education, research and public service. Dr. Murphy was instrumental in developing and leading toxicology education and research programs at the Harvard School of Public Health, the University of Texas—Houston and the University of Washington, Seattle. His distinguished career in toxicology has been recognized with SOT’s Achievement Award (1970), Education Award (1979) and Merit Award (1990). During his 27 years as educator Dr. Murphy mentored and inspired generations of toxicologists who continue his legacy. He was an early and dedicated advocate for research to identify mechanisms underlying the actions of toxicants and to clarify the role of biotransformation in modifying toxicity. His pioneering and prolific research on the toxicology of organophosphorus compounds spanned decades and greatly advanced toxicological science. His public service to SOT, IUTOX, and both national and international government advisory boards and committees set an admirable standard for those who follow. Proceeds from the fund will be used annually to further the objectives of either or both of the Society’s Education Fund or Student Travel Fund as determined by the SOT Council and, to the extent feasible, be identified as having been funded by the Sheldon D. Murphy Memorial Fund. This Memorial Fund honors Dr. Murphy’s considerable contributions to the science of toxicology and promotes education and research into mechanisms of toxicant action, and other educational priorities of SOT.

Toshio Narahashi Neurotoxicology Fellowship Award Fund

Fund Established January 2011

Toshio Narahashi

The Neurotoxicology Fellowship Award Fund was created by a group of SOT members who have actively conducted research in the area of Neurotoxicology for many years. The donors are interested in fostering the continued advancement of the field of neurotoxicology through basic and applied research and have requested that proceeds from the Fund be used to encourage graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the early phase of their postdoctoral training. Proceeds from the Neurotoxicology Fellowship Award Fund will be used to provide stipends to student and postdoctoral fellow recipients of awards given for outstanding neurotoxicology research. The Award will be aligned with the Neurotoxicology Specialty Section and the selection of award recipients is the responsibility of the executive committee of the Neurotoxicology Specialty Section. Bestowing of the awards will occur at the Neurotoxicology Specialty Section event held in conjunction with the SOT Annual Meeting.

In October 2012, the Fund was renamed to the Dr. Toshio Narahashi Neurotoxicology Fellowship Award Fund to honor the lifetime contributions of Dr. Narahashi to not only neurotoxicology research, but also to the training of junior neurotoxicologists.

Pacific Northwest Toxicology Development Fund

Fund Established December 2009

This fund was created by a group of donors and the Pacific Northwest Chapter Executive Committee (PNCEC). Proceeds from this fund can be used to support three discrete objectives designed to provide development opportunities and professional recognition of toxicologists within the Pacific Northwest Chapter. The three objectives are 1) to foster student engagement, 2) to create special educational programs, and 3) to recognize outstanding achievement by Pacific Northwest regional toxicologists. The PNCEC will be responsible for identifying one or more objectives be supported each year and for developing detailed criteria for nomination and selection of the award recipients, including the organization of award selection committee(s). The PNCEC is not obligated to commit Fund proceeds to each of the stated objectives each year, nor is there a requirement to achieve a balance of expenditures between the three objectives on an annual basis or over time.

Emil Alvin Pfitzer Drug Discovery Student Award Fund

Fund Established January 2008

Emil Alvin Pfitzer

This Fund was created to honor the legacy of Emil A. Pfitzer and to encourage students to apply modern toxicologic science in the field of drug discovery. The Fund is aligned with the Drug Discovery Toxicology Specialty Section. The Fund was created with initial generous contributions from Hoffmann-LaRoche, the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) and the family and friends of Emil Pfitzer. Proceeds from the Emil A. Pfitzer Fund will be used for awards to well-qualified students applying modern toxicology to enhancing the discovery of new drugs and ensuring their safety. The awards will be given based on the quality of scientific papers proposed for presentation at the SOT Annual Meeting and the need for financial assistance for travel to participate in SOT meetings.

Emil A. Pfitzer (June 30, 1929 to July 20, 2007) was an internationally recognized toxicologist whose scientific career spanned academia and industry. He was on the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and the University of Cincinnati. In 1972, he joined Hoffmann-LaRoche ultimately serving as Vice President of Toxicology and Pathology. At Roche, he championed the use of mechanistic toxicology in drug development as a means of providing a better perspective for the safety of patients in clinical trials of new drugs. After retiring from Roche, he served for five years as the President of the RIFM. He was an active member of the Society of Toxicology, and served as the Society’s 25th President (1985–1986).

Gabriel L. Plaa Education Award Fund

Fund Established December 2009

Gabriel L. Plaa

This Fund was created by his former student, Dr. Curt Klaassen, to memorialize Dr. Plaa’s contributions in toxicology, his leadership, mentorship, and friendship. Dr. Gabriel (Gabbie) L. Plaa (1930–2009) played a significant role in the education of graduate and post-graduate students in toxicology and made outstanding contributions to applying mechanistic toxicology to the area chemical-induced liver injury during his career. Dr. Plaa was the SOT President (1983–1984), editor of Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (1972–1980), and a recipient of numerous SOT Awards: Achievement (1967), Arnold J. Lehman (1981), Education (1987) and Merit (1996). His influence in training toxicologists was truly extraordinary as many of his former students also had leadership roles and received awards with the SOT. Proceeds from this Fund will be used to provide cash stipends to Award recipients selected on the basis of the scientific merit of papers proposed for presentation at the Annual Meeting by graduate or post-graduate students of toxicology. The Plaa Award will be aligned with the Mechanisms Specialty Section who will select Award Recipients based on the scientific quality of an abstract in mechanistic toxicology accepted for presentation at an Annual Meeting of the SOT.

Regulatory and Safety Evaluation Student Award Fund

Fund Established October 2007

The Regulatory and Safety Evaluation Specialty Section Fund provides cash stipends to Student Award winner based on scientific merit. If sufficient proceeds become available the proceeds may also be used to fund Student Travel Awards.

Renal Toxicology Fellowship Award Fund

Fund Established December 2008

The Renal Toxicology Fellowship Award Fund was created to provide stipends for students and postdoctoral fellow recipients of this award for excellence in understanding mechanisms of renal toxicity.

This fund was established by a group of SOT members who have actively conducted research on the mechanisms of renal toxicity for many years. The donors are interested in fostering the continued advancement of the field of renal toxicology through mechanistic research and have requested that the proceeds from the Fund be used to encourage students and postdoctoral fellows within the first three years of training to conduct research in this field.

The Renal Toxicology Fellowship Award Fund will be aligned with the Mechanisms Specialty Section. The Mechanisms Specialty Section will have responsibility for identifying the number of award to be given each year, the detailed criteria for selection of the award recipients, the selection of the recipients and for bestowing the award recipient(s) at the SOT Annual Meeting.

Robert J. Rubin Student Travel Award Fund

Fund Established July 2008

Robert J. Rubin

The Robert J. Rubin Student Travel Fund was created by an initial generous gift from one of his former students, Mark Montgomery. Proceeds will be used to provide travel awards to one or more graduate students to participate in the Annual Meeting of the SOT. Recipients of the Rubin Award will be selected by a Committee jointly appointed by the leadership of the Mechanisms Specialty Section and the Risk Assessment Specialty Section, the two Specialty Sections with which the Fund is aligned. The Award Recipient(s) will be selected based on the scientific quality of the abstract of a presentation that applies mechanistic toxicology to risk assessment and that has been accepted for presentation at an Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology.

Robert J. Rubin, Professor Emeritus, Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, had a distinguished career in toxicology and an important role in the education of many toxicologists and environmental health scientists. The Robert J. Rubin Student Travel Award serves to recognize Dr. Rubin’s pioneering role in developing the toxicology graduate program at Johns Hopkins University, his outstanding contributions to applying mechanistic toxicology to risk assessment and, especially, his strong commitment to facilitating the attendance of students at professional meetings such as those of the Society of Toxicology.

Dharm V. Singh Association of Scientists of Indian Origin Student Award Fund

Fund Established February 2008

Dharm V. Singh

This fund was created with an initial generous gift from Dharm V. Singh to provide awards to students of Indian Origin to encourage them to pursue a career in toxicology. The Fund is aligned with the Association of Scientists of Indian Origin Special Interest Group. Dharm V. Singh is a distinguished toxicologist with three decades of service at the US Environmental Protection Agency and has provided leadership for the development and growth of the Association of Scientists of Indian Origin (ASIO) Special Interest Group. He has a long-standing interest in encouraging students of Indian origin to enter the field of toxicology. The initial contribution by Dharm Singh and associated matching funds result in the Fund having assets of $25,000, thereby qualifying it as a Permanently Restricted Net Asset Fund that will be continued in perpetuity.

Dharm V. Singh Carcinogenesis Award Fund

Fund Established April 2009

Dharm V. Singh

The Dharm V. Singh Carcinogenesis Awards Fund has been created with a generous contribution by Dharm Singh in memory of his wife, Sita Singh. Proceeds from this Fund will be used to encourage students and postdoctoral fellows to pursue careers in research that will lead to a better understanding of the causes of cancer and improved diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

The Fund is aligned with the Carcinogenesis Specialty Section. Proceeds from the Dharm V. Singh Carcinogenesis Awards Fund will be used to provide significant stipends to students and postdoctoral fellow recipients of awards given for excellence in understanding carcinogenesis. The Carcinogenesis Specialty Section will have the responsibility for identifying the number of awards to be given each year, the detailed criteria for selection of the award recipients, the selection of the recipients and the bestowing of the awards at the Annual Meeting. The initial contribution by Dharm Singh and associated matching funds result in the Fund having assets of $25,000, thereby qualifying it as a Permanently Restricted Net Asset Fund that will be continued in perpetuity.

Carl C. Smith Student Mechanisms Award Fund

Fund Established March 1983

Carl C. Smith

“Carl suggested the creation of the Mechanisms Specialty Section Awards as a way to encourage students to write. I still receive letters from past Award winners telling me about the impact of the Award including how it helped them get their first job. I know Carl would be pleased, as I am, with the creation of the SOT Endowment Fund and the opportunity it provides to recognize and encourage more students.”

Tee Smith, Widow of Carl C. Smith

This Fund, aligned with the Mechanisms Specialty Section, predates the establishment of the SOT Endowment Fund and is now a part of the Endowment Fund. In many ways, it has served as a template for many of the new Special Purpose Funds. It was created in large part through the leadership and financial support of Carl C. Smith and his wife, Thelma. Through the years, the proceeds of the Fund have provided the financial stipends that have accompanied student awards of the Mechanisms Specialty Section; awards given in recognition of excellence to encourage students to conduct research on mechanisms of action of toxic agents. Many past recipients of Carl C. Smith Student Awards are now key participants in the activities of the Society of Toxicology.

Ronald G. Thurman Student Travel Award Fund

Fund Established August 2009

Ronald G. Thurman

The Ronald G. Thurman Student Travel Award was established with an initial generous pledge of funds from former students of Dr. Thurman, who played a significant role in furthering the toxicology graduate program at the Unviersity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Proceeds from this Fund will be used to provide travel award to one or more graduate students to participate in the SOT Annual Meeting. Dr. Thurman, Professor, Department of Pharmacology at Chapel Hill, made important contributions to applying mechanistic toxicology to the areas of ethanol metabolism and toxicity, xenobiotic metabolism, liver transplantation, hepatocarcinogenesis and hepatobiology. The Award recipient(s) will be selected on the basis of the scientific quality of the abstract of a presentation that applies to biochemical, pharmacological and/or toxicological techniques to questions of interest in mechanistic toxicology. Recipients for the Award will be selected by a Committee appointed by the leadership of the Mechanisms Specialty Section. Applications for the Award will be accepted for presentations to be given up to one year after the Award Recipient receives their doctoral degree.

Toxicologists of African Origin Endowment Fund

Fund Established May 2010

The Toxicologists of African Origin Endowment Fund has been established and has three years for the Fund to have assets of $25,000 or more to become a Permanently Restricted Net Asset Fund. Once the Fund has reached this threshold, the Toxicologists of African Origin Special Interest Group (SIG) will be responsible for developing detailed criteria for nomination and selection of the award recipients. Proceeds from the Fund will be used to support two discrete objectives: (1) provide educational outreach activities including merit awards and incentives for such things as graduate student fellowship and to award fellowships to attend the SOT Annual Meetings; and, (2) foster professional development and training for such things as workshops dedicated to technical enhancement of a field in toxicology and training focused on various toxicology career paths.