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RC-SS-SIG Leadership Meeting Promotes Synergistic Planning and Opportunities for Collaboration
Representatives from the leadership of the Regional Chapters (RC), Specialty Sections (SS), and Special Interest Groups (SIG) met in Reston, Virginia on July 24 and 25. This yearly leadership meeting was initiated in 2005 to provide an opportunity for face-to-face meetings to exchange ideas and concerns that will help move forward the objectives of these groups. The most recent meeting was, in part, dedicated to gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of the SOT Strategic Plan 2008–2011 and how the activities of the RC, SS, and SIG should align with the goals of the Society.
The attendees received an overview of SOT’s Strategic Plan from SOT President Kenneth S. Ramos. He encouraged these officers to select one or two elements of the plan to champion and to develop activities directed to specific areas of interest (e.g., advocating the value of toxicology, building for the future of toxicology). SOT Vice President and Chairperson of the Scientific Program Committee Cheryl Lyn Walker updated the participants on the activities of this committee and engaged in a discussion of the Thematic Approach to programming. The attendees provided unanimous support for this approach that facilitates the presentation of the “impact of toxicology on human health and disease prevention.”
SOT Council Liaisons to the respective groups, Kim Boekelheide (SS), Lawrence R. Curtis (RC), and William Slikker, Jr. (SIG) thanked the attendees for their dedication and commitment to the Society and highlighted funding and outreach mechanisms that would help maximize their efforts. Janice Chambers, member of SOT Communications Committee, provided an update on this newly formed committee and encouraged these officials to develop articles for the SOT Web site appropriate for the media as well as students interested in the sciences, regulators and legislators, and the general public.
“The Role of RC-SS-SIGs in Implementing the Strategic Plan—Ahead of the Curve” was presented to the attendees by SOT Vice President-elect and Co-Chairperson of the Scientific Program Committee Michael Holsapple. In his remarks, he thanked these groups for their great accomplishments in advancing the science and recognition of the relevance of toxicology to human and environmental health. Moreover, he noted that these groups have been particularly effective at building for the future of toxicology by providing awards and leadership opportunities for the next generation of toxicologists—two high priority areas highlighted in the Society’s Strategic Plan. Dr. Holsapple’s remarks also served as an introduction to the breakout sessions held on the evening of July 24 and the morning of the 25.
Participants from these groups expressed their agreement that the high priority initiatives the Society should address include the following:
- Global outreach and international participation;
- Mutually beneficial strategic alliances and partnerships;
- Human health and disease prevention focus—emphasizing relevance of toxicology;
- Cross communication and collaboration between and among all groups represented; and
- Professional development and mentoring opportunities.
Regional Chapter representatives included Annabelle F. Javier (Allegheny-Erie), Hartmut Jaeschke (Central States), Bhagavatula Moorthy (Gulf Coast), Brad L. Upham (Michigan), Judy T. Zelikoff (Mid-Atlantic), Walter C. Prozialeck (Midwest), Vasilis Vasiliou (Mountain West), Suzanne Compton Fitzpatrick (National Capital), Jessica E. Sutherland (Northeast), Stephen M. DiZio (Northern California), Laura E. Solem (Northland), Amy L. Roe (Ohio Valley), Robert L. Tanguay (Pacific Northwest), Kristine L. Willett (South Central), and Hasam S. Younis (Southern California).
Specialty Section representatives included Robert S. DeWoskin (Biological Modeling), Charlene McQueen and Barbara Shane (Carcinogenesis), Kathleen Gabrielson (Comparison and Veterinary), George DeGeorge and William Gerald Reifenrath (Dermal), Mara Seeley (Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues), Craig Llewellyn (Food Safety), Jeanine L. Bussiere (Immunotoxicology), John W. Davis, II and Kyle L. Kolaja (Drug Discovery Toxicology), Lois D. Lehman-McKeeman and José E. Manautou (Mechanisms), Michael F. Hughes (Metals), Janice E. Chambers (Mixtures), Christopher A. Reilly (Molecular Biology), David B. Warheit (Nanotoxicology), Stephen M. Lasley and Susan L. Schantz (Neurotoxicology), Angela J. Harris and Eileen P. Hayes (Occupational and Public Health), Margaret C. Willis (Ocular Toxicology), Frank D. Sistare (Regulatory and Safety Evaluation), Alan Hoberman and Mark E. Hurtt (Reproductive and Developmental), Elaine Faustman (Risk Assessment), and Charles W. Qualls, Jr. (Toxicologic and Exploratory Pathology).
Special Interest Group representatives included Jean Yang (American Association of Chinese in Toxicology), Gopala Krishna (Association of Scientists of Indian Origin), Braulio D. Jimenez-Velez (Hispanic Organization for Toxicologists), Woon-Gye Chung (Korean Toxicologists Association in America), Bernard K. Gadagbui (Toxicologists of African Origin), and Stacie L. Wild (Women in Toxicology).
A number of volunteers have offered to help structure the Presidents and Officers Meetings held in conjunction with the SOT Annual Meeting as well as the RC-SS-SIG Leadership Meeting to be held in the summer of 2009.
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