Winter 2012
President’s Message
 |
President
Jon C. Cook |
As I sit down to compose the President’s Message for the Winter Communiqué, it’s the last weekend in October, Halloween is on Monday and a Nor’easter is bringing New England an October snowstorm for the record books! The Annual Meeting is just around the corner and SOT received a total of 2,503 abstracts. This is a new record for us and suggests that San Francisco is a compelling location for our annual meeting. We are featuring two Regional Interest sessions, “Bridging the Green Chemistry Gap between Product Discovery and Availability,” and “What’s the Buzz? Bee Health and California’s Agricultural Industry.” There will be two Innovations in Applied Toxicology sessions: “New Visions in Toxicology: Lysosomes—Roles in Disease,” and “Toxicity, Drug Development, and Nonclinical Safety Assessment of Dual Targeting Biotherapeutics.” The Thursday Issues Session, “Building for the Future: Strategic Initiatives for the SOT Endowment,” will focus on the development of aspirational goals for our Endowment Fund. The Meet the Directors series has three confirmed speakers—Linda S. Birnbaum (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences), Chris Portier (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry), and Paul Anastas (US Environmental Protection Agency). The SOT/Eurotox debate topic is “Comparative Hazards: Chemicals in the Environment Are the Largest Risk to Human Health.” We also are organizing a few special poster sessions including the Global Gallery of Toxicology to highlight toxicology societies outside the US, a possible Fukushima session to provide timely information from several Japanese scientists actively involved in risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication of radiation toxicity and treatment, and a Clinical and Translational Toxicology/Disease Prevention session to highlight our newest Specialty Section. The 2012 Annual Meeting has an amazing program and my hearty thanks go to the Scientific Program Committee and the leadership of the Chair, William Slikker Jr., and Co-Chair, Lois D. Lehman-McKeeman!
As I noted in my previous two President’s Messages, SOT Council has been hard at work on the Strategic Plan for 2012–2015. We have incorporated committee and membership comments since the last Communiqué. Council is pleased to report that the 2012–2015 Strategic Plan is now complete and provides the roadmap for our Society. Committees are now drafting tactic and metrics for the strategic objectives that they selected to address in the next three years. Council will review and approve these at our January meeting.
As part of strengthening our organizational effectiveness, Council has recommended an increase in the Council term from two to three years and this By-Laws change is now being voted on by the membership. Also included for vote, is a change in the Treasurer’s term on the Endowment Fund Board.
In October, I attended the Education Summit in Baltimore along with 55 other participants. This Summit was excellent and provides considerable substrate for focusing the future direction of the Education, Career Resource and Development, and Continuing Education Committees. The program included seven talks to set the stage for break-out groups: James S. Bus (The Making of a Toxicologist in the 21st Century: Learning from the Past while Building for the Future), Mary Beth Genter (Professional Needs Assessment Task Force: Moving from Data Collection to Analysis and Recommendations), Victoria McGovern (Training Graduate Students at the Interface between Population and Bench-Based Science), Mindy F. Reynolds (Integrating Toxicology into an Undergraduate Curriculum), William Slikker Jr. (Regulatory Science: Challenges and Opportunities), Sally Rockey (NIH: Interesting, Exciting, and Challenging Times, Trends in the Biomedical Research Workforce), and Carol Shreffler (NIEHS Training Programs: The Future of Environmental Health and Exposure Biology). Summit attendees in five breakout sessions tackled key issues, such as Building for the Future of Toxicology, Identifying Training Needs, Strengthening Toxicology Training, Training the Total Toxicologist, and Continuing and Midcareer Education. Organizing Committee members led the sessions and slides were prepared by the recorders: Lorrene A. Buckley, Vanessa A. Fitsanakis, Sue M. Ford, Teresa L. Leavens, and Lois D. Lehman-McKeeman. Two unique features of the meeting were dividing the breakout group members into new groups during lunch to vote on the top priority tactical idea from each break-out session and holding a Webex to enable over 100 members to participate in the discussion. I would like to congratulate and thank the Education Summit Organizing Team for creating a successful program that will guide the Society for many years: Aaron Barchowsky (Chair), Gary P. Carlson, Mary Beth Genter, Hisham K. Hamadeh, Stephen H. Safe, Courtney E.W. Sulentic, and Dori R. Germolec (Council Contact), as well as Betty Eidemiller, Marcia Lawson, and Matthew Price (SOT Staff Liaisons).
We are very fortunate to have a wealth of talented members who provide the sweat equity to drive our Society. My final thanks go to the Gulf Oil Spill Issue Statement writing team (Sol M. Bobst, Chair; Mark E. Hahn, Don W. Korte Jr., Andrew Maier, and Kristine L. Willett), the outside reviewing team (Daland R. Juberg, William H. Benson, Richard Thomas Di Giulio, and Bernard D. Goldstein) and the Council Issue Statement team (Matthew S. Bogdanffy, Donald A. Fox, and Peter L. Goering). This latter team defined the purpose and procedures of the new Issue Statements, helped identify the topic, and worked closely with the writing team to create the final document. Council unanimously approved the final draft, which is now on the policymaker page of the SOT website and on the homepage with a link to the full issue statement. Having a process to guide writing timely Issues Statements is a significant step forward for our Society.
Wishing you wonderful holidays (and skiing and riding)!
Jon C. Cook
2011–2012 SOT President
Upcoming Election—Be Sure to Vote
Ballots for the election of 2012–2013 SOT Council officers and elected standing committees will be sent via email to Full members, Retired Full, and Emeritus members by December 31, 2011. Offices to be filled include the Vice President Elect, Treasurer-Elect, two Councilors, two Membership Committee members, four Awards Committee members, and four Nominating Committee members. If you are a Full member, please vote online on or before February 1, 2012. If you vote by paper ballot, please fax the signed cover sheet and ballot to the fax number on the form. The results of the election will be announced via email in late February, as well as at the SOT 2012 Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California.
Proposed Amendments to the By-Laws—Voting Deadline December 26
The 2011 SOT Ballot includes proposed By-Laws changes for the number and terms of Council and term of the Treasurer on the Endowment Fund Board. Completed ballots must be received at SOT Headquarters by December 26, 2011.
For clarification on any of the changes on this ballot or to vote via fax, access the printable version of the 2011 SOT By-Laws Ballot. The proposed changes are provided below.
ARTICLE FIRST, OFFICERS, SECTION 6
Section 6. There shall be a Board of Directors referred to hereinafter as a Council of the Society consisting of eleven thirteen persons. four Six to be elected by a plurality vote of the ballots cast. for a term of two years, except as hereinafter provided. At the first annual meeting two members shall be elected for a short term of one year and two members shall be elected for a term of two years.Annually, thereafter, two members shall be elected for a term of two three years. The seven additional members of the Council shall consist of the President, the Immediate Past President, the Vice President Elect, the Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and either the Secretary-Elect or the Treasurer-Elect.
ARTICLE THIRD, OFFICERS, SECTION 3
Section 3. The Council shall meet prior to the Annual Meeting of the Society to conduct such business as is set forth in the Constitution and By-Laws. Six Seven members of the Council shall constitute a quorum for this meeting. Minutes of the Council meeting shall become a part of the official record of the Society.
ARTICLE SEVENTH, ENDOWMENT, SECTION 4
Section 4. The Board shall consist of at most ten individuals. The Society’s Treasurer, upon commencement of the second year of his or her term, shall serve a four-year three-year term as a Board member. Each year the Immediate Past President of the Society, by virtue of his or her office, shall begin a two-year term as a Board member. Each year the incoming President of the Society shall appoint two individuals from among the Society’s Past Presidents, past Treasurers, past Council members, and contributors to the Endowment, who have indicated a willingness to serve a three-year term as a Board member. Individuals may be reappointed as Board members, but in no case shall they serve more than two consecutive three-year terms. In the event of a vacancy on the Board, including vacancies occurring as a result of a former officer declining appointment to the Board, the current Society President shall appoint an individual from the previously described slate of candidates to fill the unexpired term of office. All appointments by the Society’s President shall be subject to ratification by the Council. The Society’s current Treasurer, during the first year of his or her term, the Treasurer-Elect when that office is filled, the current President and the Executive Director, by virtue of their offices, shall serve ex-officio as nonvoting members of the Board. Each year the incoming President of the Society shall appoint, from amongst those Board Members who have served as Board members for at least one year, one Board Member to serve as Chair of the Board for a one-year term subject to ratification by the Council. Individuals may be reappointed to serve consecutive terms as Chair.
Implementation Plan
By affirmation of Article Seventh, Section 4, the Implementation Plan to have the two 2010–2012 and the two 2011–2013 Councilors serve an additional year will take effect.
Readership Survey Response Demonstrates SOT Members’ Satisfaction with Communiqué and Encourages Adopting New Communications Tools
The 2011 Summer/Fall issue of the Communiqué included a request to respond to a brief readership survey to help SOT gauge interest in and suggestions for enhancements to the quarterly newsletter. We are pleased to announce that 228 SOT Members answered the survey via the ToXchange platform. The respondents indicated a high level of interest in the newsletter and were very satisfied with the content, quality of writing, and format. In response to the majority of questions, more than 80% indicated they were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the newsletter. Several of the comments indicated that a shorter and more frequent newsletter might provide more timely information and be more “user friendly” in a more streamlined (i.e., briefer) format. It is of interest to note that two-thirds of the SOT members responding to the survey indicated a willingness to participate in or contribute to a blog. A majority of those interested in a blog option stated they would consider providing commentary.
SOT members were satisfied with the overall content and encouraged continuing and expanding the newsletter coverage of scientific topics (i.e., Science News) as well as regulatory and legislative updates. Moreover, the newsletter readers who responded to the survey indicated their appreciation for the coverage of committee and task force activity, but encouraged brevity in communicating this information. A third of those who answered the survey indicated they read the entire issue—each and every article—and the majority of respondents read at least half of the articles in each quarterly newsletter.
Increased use of graphical material is recommended to enhance the articles. It should be noted that the Regional Chapters have excelled at providing photos to accompany the articles about their Annual Meeting and strategic initiatives. Based on the survey responses, SOT will begin to develop a blog companion to the newsletter and will update SOT Members on the anticipated launch in early 2012. Your ongoing input is welcomed and appreciated and can be provided via email to SOT Headquarters.
Win a Free Registration to the SOT 2012 Annual Meeting—Communiqué Readers Respond by January 6
Many of you have begun to plan for the upcoming SOT Annual Meeting and are, no doubt, looking forward to attending the featured sessions and continuing education courses. As you plan your itinerary, consider participating in a renamed program that is of great interest to the Graduate Student Leadership Committee (GSLC). The name of the program is included in this issue of the Communiqué. If you correctly submit the name of this program to SOT Headquarters, your name will be included in a drawing to receive a free registration to attend the 51st SOT Annual Meeting, March 11–15, 2012, in San Francisco, California.
To be eligible, SOT Headquarters must receive your submission by 11:59 pm (EST) on Friday, January 6. The winner will be contacted the week of January 9, and an announcement will be included in the Special issue of the Communiqué that will be disseminated in February 2012.
Your Endowment Fund Contributions Build for the Future of Toxicology
Did you know that nearly all the SOT Endowment Named Funds benefit students and young investigators? Likewise, most of these awards are aligned with Regional Chapters, Specialty Sections, and Special Interest Groups that are involved in selecting the award recipients. The Endowment Fund helps to address the difficulty of finding funds and achieving scientific recognition for early career scientists.
SOT works hard to be on your list of important organizations that have had a beneficial long-term impact on your career. We hope you’ll include the SOT Endowment Fund in your 2011 year-end contributions. All contributions to the Education Fund, the Global Fund, the Society Priority Fund, and the Student Travel Fund will be matched by the Society so your donation will have twice the impact. The Endowment Donor Form is on the SOT website, along with the listing of the 2011 Endowment Fund Award recipients. Don’t wait another day to make your donation and invest in the future of the SOT!
The SOT Endowment Fund Board Wants to Hear Your Ideas for Building the Future of Toxicology—Respond By January 9
The SOT Endowment Fund Board values your opinion and wants your assistance in finding some fresh ways for the Endowment Fund to help toxicologists, like you, build for the future of toxicology. The Endowment Fund was started five years ago with the goal of providing stable, long-term financial support to complement the Society’s traditional revenue sources. The majority of contributions received have been directed at assisting trainees to further their careers in toxicology.
Over the next few years, SOT’s Endowment Fund Board wants to explore new ideas that can enhance member participation and strengthen this important investment for the future. Help us now by completing a five minute Endowment Fund Survey. Your answers will provide us with insight as to what you perceive as important for SOT to do to support you and the science of toxicology. Please note that 100 percent of the contributions made to the SOT Endowment Fund go directly to underwrite programs.
SOT Education Summit Develops Recommendations for Toxicology Professional Needs and Training
Toxicology education thought leaders gathered in Baltimore, Maryland, October 20–21, 2011, to consider recommendations to improve toxicology education and training from the undergraduate to across the toxicology career spectrum. This event culminated a year of planning by the Education Summit Organizing Team, chaired by Aaron Barchowsky and included Gary P. Carlson, Mary Beth Genter, Dori R. Germolec, Hisham K. Hamadeh, Stephen H. Safe, and Courtney E.W. Sulentic. The Toxicology Education Summit comprised of fifty scientists, SOT members from all segments of the profession, as well as participants providing broader perspectives related to toxicology education. Slides from the presentations and recordings of group reports are available on the Toxicology Education Summit webpage.
James S. Bus initiated the group deliberations with his talk, “The Making of a Toxicologist in the Twenty-First Century: Learning from the Past while Building for the Future.”
Additional presentations brought insight to areas of focus for the Summit. These included:
- “Professional Needs Assessment Task Force: Moving from Data Collection to Analysis and Recommendations”
Mary Beth Genter, SOT Professional Needs Assessment Task Force Chair, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
- “Training Graduate Students at the Interface between Population and Bench-Based Science”
Victoria McGovern, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Raleigh, North Carolina
- “Integrating Toxicology into an Undergraduate Curriculum”
Mindy F. Reynolds, SOT Education Committee Undergraduate Education Subcommittee, Washington College, Chestertown, Maryland
- “Regulatory Science: Challenges and Opportunities”
William Slikker Jr., SOT Vice President, US FDA/NCTR, Jefferson, Arkansas
Summit attendees participated in one of five breakout groups. Topics and leaders included:
 |
| Dr. Lehman-McKeeman confers with Summit Chair, Dr. Barchowsky |
Group 1: Building for the Future of Toxicology
Stephen H. Safe, Leader; Teresa L. Leavens, Recorder
Group 2: Identifying Training Needs
Courtney E.W. Sulentic, Leader; Sue M. Ford, Recorder
Group 3: Strengthening Toxicology Training
Aaron Barchowsky, Leader; Lorrene A. Buckley, Recorder
Group 4: Training the “Total Toxicologist”
Mary Beth Genter, Leader; Vanessa A. Fitsanakis, Recorder
Group 5: Continuing and Mid-Career Education
Gary P. Carlson, Leader; Lois D. Lehman-McKeeman, Recorder
The closing session of the Summit was broadcast live and recorded. Questions submitted by the virtual participants were added to the discussion by the panelists and attendees onsite. Key ideas from these groups will be the basis of the Summit report, which will be available next year. The Organizing Team represents the Education Committee, Career Resource and Development Committee, Continuing Education Committee, and the Professional Needs Assessment Task Force; these groups are considering how the Summit recommendations could direct future committee activities. The Summit leaders will also be presenting the recommendations during the SOT Annual Meeting in the roundtable “The Future of Toxicology Education: Outcomes of the Toxicology Educational Summit” on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, from 12:00 noon–1:20 pm. Comments related to the Summit deliberations are welcomed and can be sent to Betty Eidemiller.
SOT Global Toxicology Scholars Present Toxicology to International Audiences
The Education Committee initiated the Global Toxicology Scholar Program in 2010 to provide travel support for SOT members to lecture at institutions outside the United States, especially in countries that have lower infrastructure for research. The focus of the program is to encourage students to pursue toxicology careers. Four toxicologists were provided up to $1250 funding in the first year of the program. In most cases, support was also provided from other sources to supplement SOT funds. All of the Global Toxicology Scholars report enthusiastic interactions with students and faculty on all the campuses they visited, establishment of important connections, and positive impacts.
Linval DePass presented several lectures at the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus), Kingston, Jamaica, March 31–April 1, 2011. Approximately 30–40 students, of various backgrounds, attended the lecture on careers in toxicology and about 20–30 biochemistry and chemistry students attended the introductory toxicology lecture. About 50–60 undergraduate pharmacology students attended his lecture and discussion about preclinical drug testing toxicology procedures. Dr. Depass was invited by the Dean of Pure and Applied Sciences to attend the annual awards ceremony for his division. After his introduction students were encouraged to participate in the lectures and interact with the guest. He also met with several administrators and faculty while he was on campus.
Ronald Young, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Graduate Students, sent a message confirming the value of Dr. DePass’ visit. “The students at all levels were duly impressed with what you had to say and were very relieved to hear about the wide range of career options that are open to them in the area of toxicology. They seem to have been particularly pleased to receive the information from a Jamaican with whom they could easily identify and who could empathize with the local situation…. All agree that you have stimulated them tremendously and they are now asking that we introduce this sort of visiting expert talk as a constant feature of our annual program.”
 |
| Dr. Hines sits with the students at the National University of Trujillo |
Erin P. Hines visited five universities and three public health groups in Peru, June 26–July 3, 2011. These included Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, Pan American Health Organization Peru, Universidad San Marcos, Universidad Cayetano Heredia, La Dirección General de Salud Ambiental (DIGESA), Ricardo Palma University, all in Lima, and National University of Trujillo (Departments of Medicine, Nursing, Graduate Studies, Biology, and Pharmacy). She met with toxicology, pharmacology, medical, nursing, graduate studies, biological studies, and chemistry departments plus the public health groups; audiences ranged from 20 to the hundreds, and at three of the locations the toxicology career presentations were simultaneously translated to Spanish. The groups with whom she met were interested in research collaborations, training opportunities, and exchange of students. Interestingly, the oldest university in the Americas, Universidad San Marcos, has a new (three-year old) toxicology program, and the director sponsored a toxicology symposium in Peru this past fall.
 |
| Dr. Lewandowski lectures in Romania |
Thomas Lewandowski visited Romania in October 2011 and gave a series of lectures at the Technical University of Transilvania at Brasov, the University of the North at Baia Mare, and Ovidius University in Constanta. All three universities have programs in environmental health or environmental engineering but lack programs in toxicology. Classes were conducted in English. The visit grew out of a discussion of teaching strategies and needs that occurred during a NATO-sponsored symposium on metals toxicology in 2010. In addition to general talks on toxicology and risk assessment (ranging from Paracelsus to Lady Gaga), Dr. Lewandowski also spoke at each university about a toxicology topic tailored to the host university's specific focus: nanotoxicology and the potential risks of nanomaterials (Brasov), metals toxicology (Baia Mare), and mercury and fish consumption (Constanta). In Constanta, Dr. Lewandowski also organized an informal question and answer session with students in which they discussed job opportunities in toxicology, graduate study programs, potential research collaborations, and funding mechanisms. Attendance ranged from 12 to 45 for the various lectures. Dr. Lewandowski cited the exchange of information with students and colleagues in a country without organized toxicology programs as an important outcome of the trip.
 |
| Dr. Manautou (middle) and Dr. Nduaka (right) present an autographed copy of Cassaret and Doull to the student (left) at the conference with the best student poster. |
Chudy Nduaka’s requested travel support for speakers to participate in the Biannual Toxicology Conference for the Africa Education Initiative Foundation (NEF). This meeting was jointly sponsored by SETAC and the Cameroon Society of Toxicological Sciences and was held at the University of Buea in Cameroon. On June 2, 2011, Dr. Nduaka and José Manautou presented lectures about the US FDA and IND safety reporting and liver toxicity mechanisms, respectively. The need for students to consider toxicology as a major and for African institutions to offer toxicology as a discipline were two points stressed during the meeting. There were over 200 students and professors in attendance, from schools in Cameroon, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, Chad Republic, Mali, and Ghana. Many students signed up for the toxicology-focused NEF student club at the University of Buea and students and faculty from other institutions pledged to start clubs. This conference was also supported by funds from the SOT Council Subcommittee for Non-SOT Meeting, Component, and Global Funding.
More information about how these visits were arranged and other details are provided on the Toxicology Scholar Visit Summary page. The deadline for 2011–2012 Global Toxicology Scholar funding was in November. A number of excellent proposals are currently in review. However, funds do remain for scientists to make toxicology career visits to undergraduate audiences in the United States. Details about applying, as well as the Guide to Participation in the Toxicology Scholar, Global Toxicology Scholar, and Guest Lecturer Programs are found at the Toxicology Scholar, Global Toxicology Scholar, and Guest Lecturer in Toxicology Programs webpage. The Toxicology Scholar Program is for visits to any undergraduate institution. The Committee on Diversity Initiatives sponsors the Guest Lecturer Program, which is very similar but provides funding for visits to campuses with a high proportion of students who are from groups that are underrepresented in the sciences. For more information about any of these programs contact Betty Eidemiller.
Eighth Toxicology Salary Survey…Coming Soon!
The Society of Toxicology requests that all SOT Full and Associate members respond to the invitation to participate in the 8th Toxicology Survey. The email invitation with the link to the survey will be sent near the end of December. Shayne Gad and the SOT Career Resource and Development Committee are directing the activity, as with the previous surveys that have been conducted at three-year intervals since 1988. Participation will be sought from members of other toxicology-related societies to provide the toxicology profession with current realistic salary information. Many SOT members belong to other groups and the link will be the same for everyone. The survey only accepts one submission per person.
The survey is completely anonymous and data will only be released in the aggregate. The results of this survey will be published next spring.
Thank you in advance for making this Eighth Salary Survey a success!
PPTOX III Conference in May Focuses on Developmental Programming
The Prenatal Programming and Toxicity International Conference (PPTOX III) slated to be held May 14–16, 2012, in Paris, France promises to be an unparalleled venue for discussion of a red-hot topic. The focus of the discussions will be on developmental programming and toxicity, and the intriguing balances and interactions between nutrients, toxicants, and genetic predispositions. The key question to be addressed is: How do chemical exposures during early development affect functions and disease risks later on in life? The goal of the conference is to examine the experimental and human data in regard to specific diseases, organ systems, and mechanisms, and to discuss the current state of knowledge on the vulnerability of early life stages and the implications for health protection and disease prevention. The three-day event is the third conference to explore this new frontier in toxicology. The first conference was held in 2007 and the second in 2009.
The international conference, “Environmental Stressors in the Developmental Origins of Disease: Evidence and Mechanisms,” is being organized by an international committee that includes, Robert Barouki, Co-Chair, Centre des Saints Péres, Paris, France; Philippe Grandjean, Co-Chair, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Peter Gluckman, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Mark Hanson, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Jerrold Heindel, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; and, Gérard Lasfargue, University Hospital of Tours, Tours, France. The Scientific Program Committee includes: Bruce Blumberg, University of Southern California at Irvine, Irvine, California; Ludwine Casteleyn of Belgium; Sylvaine Cordier, University Rennes 1, Rennes, France; Ruth Etzel, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Shuk-mel Ho, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; Claudein Junien, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France; Toshihiro Kawamoto, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyes, Japan; Berthold Koletzko, des Ludwig Maximilian Universität, Munchen, Germany; Paige Lawrence, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York; Anna Price, European Commission Joint Research Center, Ispra, Italy; John Rogers, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; William Slikker Jr., US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas; William Suk, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; Jordi Sunyer, Centre de Recorca en Epidemiologia Ambiental, Barcelona, Spain; Jorma Toppari, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; and Cheryl Lyn Walker of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas.
Presenters were chosen, according to conference organizer Philippe Grandjean, “because we wanted speakers from different scientific disciplines whose research addresses DNA methylation, endocrine disruption, and assessment of complex developmental exposures. We also sought to achieve a balance between speakers from the US, Europe, and other parts of the world and we chose scientists from different fields so that we can stimulate cross-disciplinary fertilization.” Adds Co-Chair Barouki, “The conference will be a means of sharing frontline information in a new frontier in toxicology and we hope that it will also attract interest and new ideas in the burgeoning field.”
Dr. Grandjean, is professor and chair of Environmental Medicine at the University of Southern Denmark. He is also adjunct professor of environmental health at Harvard School of Public Health, where he has a research group that collaborates with the colleagues in Odense. He also has served for more than 25 years as a consultant in toxicology to the National Board of Health, Denmark. His research focuses on the environmental epidemiology of developmental exposures to chemical pollutants and their effects on development and organ functioning, especially the nervous, immune, and cardiovascular systems. His research on methylmercury has inspired downward revision of exposure limits worldwide and a United Nations agreement on global control of mercury pollution.
Dr. Barouki is a biochemist and molecular biologist whose main focus during the last fifteen years has been on understanding the mechanisms of toxicity of environmental pollutants such as dioxin. In particular, he has studied the biological consequences following the activation of the dioxin receptor AhR. Initially, Dr. Barouki focused on consequences related to cellular stresses such as oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Subsequently, he studied the different effects triggered by different ligands of the AhR using in particular ‘omics technologies, suggesting that part of the toxicity may be related to the disruption of endogenous functions. More recently, his main focus is on developmentally relevant cellular effects that are disrupted by the AhR, notably epithelial mesenchymal transition. In addition to cancer development, he is now focusing on the effects of pollutants on adipose tissue functions and on the nervous system in rodents and in C elegans. Additional projects include clinical studies in obese individuals, as well as studies on the toxicity of drugs and ethanol, and the development of relevant biomarkers in human.
Sponsors for the conference are: Society of Toxicology (SOT); Agence Nationale de Securite Sanitaire Alimentation, Environment, Travail (ANSES); Alliance Nationale Pour Les Sciences de la Vie et de la Santé (Aviesan), Endowment Fund, SOT; European Environment Agency (EEA); the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR); the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS); National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES); and the World Health Organization (WHO). ANSES and Society of Toxicology are hosting the event.
Complete program information is available on the PPTOX III section of the website.
Consider Becoming An Officer of the SOT Postdoctoral Assembly
If you are a Postdoctoral member of the Society of Toxicology, you should consider running for one of the officer positions open on the SOT Postdoctoral Assembly (PDA) Board for 2012–2013. The mission of the PDA is to facilitate the professional development of the SOT Postdoctoral membership in the field of toxicology. The PDA Board, which oversees PDA activities, is composed of a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Councilor, a Council Contact, and a staff member from SOT Headquarters.
Officers make use of their leadership skills during the course of the year to organize events such as webinars and career development or scientific sessions at the Annual Meeting. They also organize the Postdoctoral Luncheon and coordinate the selection of the Best Postdoctoral Paper Award. It is an excellent opportunity to network with other postdoctoral scholars, as well as more senior SOT members, and it is a fun way to help other postdoctoral fellows and graduate students develop in their own careers.
For 2012–2013 the following positions are open:
- Vice-Chair (2-year position in which you transition to Chair)
- Treasurer (1-year position)
- Councilor (1-year position)
Required qualifications:
- SOT member
- In a postdoctoral position by February 1, 2012
- Will be a postdoc for more than half of the term of service (May 1, 2012–April 30, 2013).
For more information, visit the Postdoctoral Scholars section of the SOT website. To nominate yourself or another SOT postdoc, please email Susan Simmons. Nomination deadline is December 16.
The Postdoctoral Assembly Provides Programs and Resources for Early Career Scientists
The Postdoctoral Assembly (PDA) hosted a career development webinar for postdoctoral fellows this Halloween, October 31, “K99-R00 GRANTS: Tips from the NIEHS Administrator, the Grantee and the Reviewer. The value of the topic was indicated by attendance of 85, with 74% of these in postdoctoral positions. 68% of the attendees indicated that they plan to submit a K99-R00 application. This webinar joins a list of other career-oriented webinar and session recordings at PDA Career Webinars and Education Sessions.
Did you know the week of September 19 was the third annual National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week? SOT celebrated with PDA members blogging about their postdoctoral experience on ToXchange. Our featured blogs included “Experiences as a Government Postdoc,” “An Hour in the Life of Postdocs,” “Finding Balance in a Postdoc,” “Transitioning from a Grad Student to a Postdoc,” “Women Postdocs ‘Leaking’ Out of Science Pipeline,” and “Take the Teaching Plunge.” According to the number of online hits, the articles attracted a strong level of interest. To find these articles on ToXchange, search for National Postdoc Appreciation Week by keyword.
The PDA will be very active at the SOT Annual Meeting in San Francisco next March. We are organizing trainee discussions with Plenary speakers, a program for student and postdoctoral trainees to have candid conversations with plenary speakers. Plenary Lecturer Leroy Hood is confirmed. We look forward to seeing you there!
In collaboration with the Graduate Student Leadership Committee, the PDA is hosting one of the components of the Chat with an Expert program at the Annual Meeting. In its second year, Chat with a Postdoc will continue to pair students with postdoctoral scholars in order to discuss the successful postdoctoral fellowship. In a pilot program, the PDA will host Poster Tours with an expert for both student and postdoctoral trainees to shadow a senior scientific expert examining their selection of noteworthy posters. Signups will be available in early 2012.
Three SOT 2011 Annual Meeting Sessions to Be Presented at AAAS Meeting
Three SOT 2011 Annual Meeting sessions will be presented at the 2012 AAAS meeting, February 16–20, 2012, Vancouver, Canada.
The sessions include the following:
- Autism: Genetic, Epigenetic, and Environmental Factors Influencing Neural Networks, chaired by Cindy Lawler and Issac Pessach
- 50 Years of the ‘Pill’: Risk Reduction and Discovery of Benefits Beyond Contraception, chaired by Brinda Mahadevan and Kristina Chadwick
- Stem Cell Biology and Cell Therapy Approaches to Understanding Cellular Injury and Wound Healing in Dermal, Ocular, and Pulmonary Injury, chaired by Jeffrey S. Yourick and John S. Graham
CEd-Tox: CE Courses Online
Toxicology is an ever-changing and ever-growing field, and there is no better way to enhance professional development and learn new techniques than with CEd-Tox, the SOT Continuing Education program online. To facilitate professional development, the Continuing Education Committee is excited to offer 21 online continuing education courses through the SOT website. The courses are from the SOT Annual Meetings from 2009 (Baltimore), 2010 (Salt Lake City), and 2011 (Washington, DC). SOT Graduate Student and Postdoc members receive complimentary access to all courses, and scientists in developing countries may be eligible for free access as well (contact SOT Headquarters for more information).
Popular CEd-Tox courses include:
- Best Practices for Developing, Characterizing, and Applying Physiologically based Pharmacokinetic Models in Risk Assessment (2011)
- Comparative Biology of the Lung (2010)
- Practical How To and Pitfalls Associated with Current Epigenetic Studies (2011)
- Protecting Human Health: Use of Toxicological and Epidemiological Data in Determining Safe Levels for Human Exposure (2011)
- Stress As a Confounding Factor (2009)
For more information, including presenters and complete descriptions of each online course, please visit the CEd-Tox section of the SOT website.
Global Strategy Task Force Announces Free Online CE Courses for SOT Members from Developing Countries
Submitted by Tao Wang, SOT Global Strategy Task Force
As we welcome toxicologists from around the world, SOT continues to become a more global organization. In order to enhance the global impact of toxicology on public health, to foster improved scientific and global regulatory harmonization, as well as to reach out and increase the member benefit for SOT members from the developing countries, the Global Strategy Task Force (GSTF) and Continuing Education (CE) Committee now are happy to offer free continuing education online courses for SOT members from eligible developing countries. View the list of eligible developing countries (up to $8,000 GNI according to the World Bank list). Most of the courses run approximately three and a half hours, and are divided into a brief introduction followed by four, 45-minute segments that can be viewed individually. Courses are viewed via online streaming of audio and slide presentations, and require Internet access. Courses from 2009, 2010, and 2011 are available on the CEd-Tox section of the SOT website.
This year, after much hard work from a collaborative effort of the CE Committee, GSTF, and previous course chairs and speakers, we also are offering English transcriptions for many courses. For the courses that have been transcribed, you will see the PDF of the transcription directly under the course title. Listeners who take the online courses now have the option of stopping the presentation and reading the transcript for additional clarity. These courses are available to SOT members throughout the year. Once you register for a course, you have 30-day unlimited access to the course beginning on the date of registration. Many thanks to the GSTF under the leadership of Ruth A. Roberts for establishing and implementing this outreach program for our members from developing countries. Many thanks also to the CE Committee, as well as the original course chairs and speakers from the 2010 and 2011 Annual Meetings for proofing the transcribed course materials—a lot of work, indeed! This service is really great!! Please do take advantage of it! Contact David Rossé at SOT Headquarters for more information and registration instructions.
SOT Requests Summer Research and Internship Information
We want to know about the research opportunities your organization provides undergraduates and high school students! One priority of SOT is the recruitment of students into careers in toxicology. Summer research opportunities are one of the best ways to spark interest in the field. Please send SOT, via Betty Eidemiller, the link to research programs provided by your company or academic institution to add to SOT research experience resources. We maintain a series of web pages to provide quick access for students to research opportunities.
SOT touches undergraduates through activities of the Education Committee and Committee on Diversity Initiatives and sends periodic messages to mailing lists. You can help us provide rich information for these students.
Visit the Online Job Bank—A Service Free to SOT Members
Current Job Listings:
- Associate Director for Health, US Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
- Research Scientist—Toxicology, a Major Pharmaceutical Company, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Health Scientist, Consulting, San Francisco, California
- Graduate Student/Research Assistantships, University in Lubbock, Texas
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, CDC-NIOSH, Morgantown, West Virginia
Did any of these positions catch your attention? These are just a small selection showing the range of positions available through the SOT Job Bank, a free member benefit to job seekers. Employers can attract potential candidates in a targeted and cost-effective manner through this SOT service.
Simply visit the Job Bank on the SOT website and use your full email address and SOT password to access the Job Bank. The Society’s Job Bank makes it easy for candidates and employers alike to access this year-round service any time, any place through the SOT website. Up-to-date information regarding candidates and employment positions is provided on an ongoing basis. Your registration is effective for six months. For additional information, please contact Kelly Martin.
ToXchange Corner
Now is a great time to update your Profile on ToXchange—add your profile picture today!
Did you know that you can easily update both your ToXchange Profile and your SOT Profile right from your ToXchange “My Profile” page? It’s easy to do and assures that YOU will be better recognized and more “findable” by colleagues. When you log onto ToXchange, scroll over “My Options” at the top of the page and select “My Profile.”
To add a picture, click on the “Picture” box below your name. Simply have a photo of yourself accessible so that you may browse through your files and select it to upload. It only takes a minute to do and greatly enhances your recognizability on the site! Additionally, you may also select to “Edit ToXchange Profile.” Here you will be able to enter your timezone and country of origin, as well as provide such valuable information as research funding sources, membership in other societies, year of PhD, PhD institution, PhD mentor, and a brief biography (or biosketch).
When you are on your Toxchange profile page, you can also select to update your SOT profile. This is important to do if you have recently changed any of your contact information. You may also want to check your SOT profile page to be sure it is correct—especially as your 2012 membership renewals are currently being sent out!
Raise your profile in the Society—update your ToXchange profile today! See detailed instructions on how to do so below.
ToXchange—It’s Your Network!
Enrich your experience on ToXchange by updating your Profile, uploading your curriculum vitae (CV), and subscribing to your Regional Chapter, Specialty Section, and/or Special Interest Group Forum Discussion. Here’s how you can do so:
Updating Your Profile
- Log in to ToXchange directly or by selecting the ToXchange button on the Scientists/Members page of the SOT Web site. (To make your return to ToXchange easy, bookmark the site!)
- From the ToXchange homepage, click on the “Update Your Profile” button on the right, or scroll over “My Options” at the top of the page, and click on “My Profile.” You now will be on your Profile page that you can update.
- From your Profile page, click on “Edit ToXchange Profile” to add more detail to your ToXchange MyPage (this is the page that all SOT members can view). Update your ToXchange Profile by adding the following information where indicated:
- Research funding source,
- Membership in other societies,
- Year of PhD,
- PhD Institution,
- Name of your PhD mentor,
- Date of Birth,
- Biography, and
- User signature.
- Click “OK” to accept all updates and the “Accept Changes Now” button on your Profile page to activate your updates.
- From your Profile page, click on “Update SOT Profile” to edit your contact information. When you are finished updating, select “Save” and return to your Profile page on ToXchange to further update your Profile.
- From your Profile page, click on “Picture” then “Update Picture” to add your picture to your profile. You can easily browse and select a “head shot” or profile picture to do so.
Searching/Adding Your CV
- From the Members CV page, select “Search” in the line under the orange navigation bar. You will then be able to search by:
- Full-Text search terms—keywords or terms appearing in other members CVs and descriptions will help you find these members,
- Categories/Topics,
- Communities—from all Committees to Specialty Sections,
- Posting Group, and
- Document Type—such as CV/Resume.
- To add your CV to the Member CVs site on ToXchange, simply click on “Member CVs” in the orange navigation bar and select “Add File” (you will want to have the most up-to-date version of your CV available to upload). Fill in the title of your CV and a brief description (i.e., biosketch), set the Category/Topic to Member CVs and the Document Type to “CV/Resume,” click “Add” to upload your CV and “OK” to finish.
Subscribe to YOUR Membership Forum Discussion(s) on ToXchange and Join the Discussion
- Go to your Community landing page(s) on ToXchange,
- In the Forum section, click on the Discussions headline, and
- On the Discussions page, click on the “Subscribe” button within the right sidebar.
Once subscribed, any member may begin a discussion thread or respond to an ongoing discussion—and every comment is captured right on the site for fast and easy future reference.
Log into ToXchange today to:
- Access your Profile and MyPage—as an SOT member you already have a Profile and MyPage set up for you to easily update
- Update your Profile/MyPage with a profile picture—the first step in customizing your MyPage
- Upload your CV to the Members CV site—the next step in enhancing your discoverability by colleagues
- Search for SOT Members—via a powerful, enhanced Membership Directory
- Communicate and collaborate via YOUR community sites—subscribe to your Community Forum Discussions
- Update contact links to other social networking sites, such as LinkedIn or Facebook
|
Member Spotlight
SOT’s David L. Eaton Elected As a Member of the Institute of Medicine
David L. Eaton, longtime SOT member and SOT past president (2001–2002), has been elected as a member of the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Dr. Eaton is well known for his research on toxins in the environment. He maintains his own active research and teaching program at the University of Washington where he is professor and director of the Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health, and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Center for Excellence at the University of Washington. He is also associate dean for Research in the School of Public Health and associate vice provost for Research for the University of Washington.
Dr. Eaton received his PhD in pharmacology from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1978. He then received a fellowship at the University where he was a postdoctoral student. In 1979, he joined the faculty of the University of Washington. From 1983–1990, he served as toxicology program director in the Department of Environmental Health and was named associate chairman of the Department in 1990.
Regarding the new inductees, IOM President Harvey V. Fineberg said, “Each of these new members stands out as a professional whose research, knowledge, and skills have significantly advanced health and medicine, and their achievements are an inspiration. The Institute of Medicine is greatly enriched by the addition of our newly elected colleagues.” New members are elected by current active members through a highly selective process that recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health. Election to the Institute is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine.
View additional distinguished SOT Members.
SOT Member David Reif Receives Presidential Early Career Award
David Reif, SOT member and a scientist at the US Environmental Protection Agency, is one of two recipients of this year’s Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. The award is the highest honor bestowed by the US government on outstanding science and engineering professionals in the early stages of their independent research careers. Dr. Reif was nominated for developing tools for prioritizing and profiling chemicals for potential toxicity to human health and the environment, as well as studying the various subsets of childhood asthma in order to develop more personalized diagnoses, management, and treatment of the disease.
The award was instituted by President Clinton in February 1996 to honor and support the extraordinary achievements of young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers in the field of science and technology. The Presidential Award embodies the high priority placed by the government on maintaining the leadership position of the United States in science by producing outstanding scientists and engineers who will broadly advance science and the missions important to the participating agencies.
Nathan J. Cherrington—2011 Achievement Award Recipient
Submitted by Nathan J. Cherrington, SOT Achievement Award Recipient
 |
| Former SOT Councilor Lawrence R. Curtis presents award to Dr. Cherrington. |
I was absolutely honored to receive the 2011 Achievement Award from the Society of Toxicology. The list of names that have received this award in the past reads like a Who’s Who of outstanding scholars in our field. While I recognize that each of the previous winners was once in my same position and received the award early on in their careers, their subsequent achievements and success have added honor and significance to the award. Because it is given at an early stage, the Achievement Award is something I feel needs to be earned over the next twenty years. Perhaps it is only then that I will feel comfortable with this recognition. I am a firm believer that we are the product of the choices we have made; I just don’t believe that this rule applies to me. All of the really great things that have happened to me in my career never have been the result of my own conscious decisions, but rather my good fortune (dumb luck) to associate with a select few mentors, colleagues, and friends that truly inspire greatness. At each of the critical stages of my career, I have, through no fault of my own, received significant help from very talented individuals. As I reflect on the true honor that I feel as the recipient of the 2011 Achievement Award from the Society of Toxicology, I hope to recognize a few individuals who played critical roles in my development and who are deserving of my deep gratitude.
My road to toxicology began when I broke both arms as a sophomore at Brigham Young University. As great as the story of making the final shot of the championship game before crashing to the floor in a heap of broken bones is, the real story is how that changed the rest of my life. With two broken arms, there are a lot of things that you can’t do for yourself including taking notes and writing exams. One of my professors, Gary Booth, went out of his way to help accommodate me and I ended up volunteering in his toxicology lab. (This is also where I met my future wife, the cute girl who took great notes and pitied boys with broken arms.) With my newfound interest in toxicology, my wife and I both began graduate school at North Carolina State University. Two positions were available; one on the training grant, which would allow the student to choose a lab, and one position in Ernest Hodgson’s lab. Of course the correct choice would have been to jump at the opportunity to work with Dr. Hodgson, but that’s not how it happened. My wife was specifically interested in developmental toxicology while I was still undecided about my interests. So there it is; one of the best choices of my career wasn’t really even my choice. I simply took the position that was left over. I consider the outstanding scientific training that I received from Dr. Hodgson as only part of the debt that I owe to him. Dr. Hodgson was a wonderful mentor who created a supportive and rigorous academic environment for the entire department.
I then made my way to the University of Kansas Medical Center where I ended up working with Curtis D. Klaassen. I would like to say that I was smart enough to have picked Dr. Klaassen’s lab on my own, but that would be giving me too much credit. It would be more correct to say that Dr. Klaassen chose me, and that has made all the difference. Working with Dr. Klaassen was the most meaningful professional experience of my career. I learned valuable skills that are required for success in any job, met and worked with gifted collaborators and friends, and developed research interests based on possibilities rather than “what is currently known.”
On my first day as a wide-eyed new assistant professor, I was handed a phonebook and an office supply catalog and told to “go do science.” My biggest decision that day was to order the black pens instead of blue. Rather than being terrified by the monumental task ahead of me, I felt strangely calm and reassured by two things: first, that I had been trained by two gifted mentors and that I already knew what needed to be done; and second, all of my colleagues would return the following day from the regional SOT meeting and I wouldn’t be alone. Indeed, I have been the recipient of valuable mentoring and have greatly appreciated my interaction with outstanding colleagues at the University of Arizona. The environment is perhaps the most collegial and collaborative I have ever observed. In fact, my lab’s recent emphasis on the role of Fatty Liver Disease in altering the metabolism and disposition of drugs was the result of a group discussion following the first seminar of my first student. I have greatly benefitted both personally and professionally from my interactions with my colleagues and students, and I am fortunate to call them friends.
It was an honor to be nominated by my colleagues and former students. It was an honor to have been selected. It is an honor that I hope to justify over the next twenty years of dedicated scholarship and service to the field and Society of Toxicology. Fortunately, I have my black pens to get me started.
Charter Member Bob West Has Been Part of SOT from the Beginning
During an interview following the 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting, Bob West recalled how he became involved with the efforts that would lead to the establishment of the Society of Toxicology.
 |
| Bob West |
Prior to the formation of the Society, toxicologists involved in other organizations recognized that there were limited opportunities for the presentation of their findings within the boundaries of traditional programming.
This issue became more pressing as a number of areas in toxicology exploded, such as investigations related to food additives as well as chemical and environmental issues. “I felt it took toxicologists to look at the data intelligently,” he noted. SOT Founder, C. Boyd Shaffer, who saw the need for a society that would allow for toxicology to “have a louder voice,” particularly encouraged him. Many more substances were being introduced into society nationally and internationally and it was critical to understand the potential effects to the health of humans, animals, and the environment.
Moreover, there was no journal that was specifically devoted to the discipline of toxicology, quite different than the 77 journals now focused on this topic. So, when SOT founders began Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, there was a “home” for the tox papers being written. “This was of interest to me as a place to publish my pesticide studies on two organophosphorus pesticides,” he stated. These were critical public health issues as appropriate tolerances were needed to assure both efficacy and safety for workers and the public. These efforts were key in raising the awareness and appreciation for toxicology.
As the Society grew, he continued to be impressed with the overall breadth of SOT. Over the years, clinical toxicological areas were recognized as significant, specifically the early detection and diagnosis of disease. There was increased interest in molecular biology and biochemistry. Dr. West provided an overarching view of why SOT has grown: “The Society succeeded because it met a need by helping to provide a meeting and journal to put out good science. Papers on toxicology explained not only the number of laboratory animals used and the methodological approach but also described the hypotheses and conclusions that were critical to protecting public health.”
Dr. West received his PhD at Purdue under the guidance of Tom S. Miya, the 1979–1980 SOT President, and he also worked with Dr. Shaffer. In addition, he stated that he had the privilege of working with F.W. Sunderman at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, being part of the first group to show that nickel carbonyl was a carcinogen and dithiocarbamate could be used to treat acute nickel carbonyl poisoning. Moreover, Dr. West was one of the attendees at the first Gordon Research Conference on Toxicology and Safety Evaluation held in 1956, chaired by Ben Oser. The chairs of these toxicology conferences were among those individuals who recognized the importance of founding the Society of Toxicology and served as its first leaders.
“The Society,” said Dr. West, “offers an umbrella organization open to many toxicological pursuits from all sectors, including academia, government, private labs, and pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Everyone is welcome.”
Charter Member Bernard E. Hietbrink Is a Champion of Mentoring
Bernard E. Hietbrink described his career in toxicology and his good fortune in learning from eminent individuals and helping to nurture future leaders in the discipline of toxicology. A summary of his remarks is provided below.
We needed the Society of Toxicology as there was no home right for the discipline of toxicology. Many substances examined by toxicologists are not related to pharmaceuticals, so the Society of Pharmacology, which had been the “go to” society, didn’t fit with the expanding parameters of toxicology. This situation intensified as many more substances were introduced into society. After World War II, there were more compounds and, thus, more exposures to new substances. “Unfortunately accidents sometimes trigged the need for greater toxicological understanding,” he recalled. “There was a time when we thought DDT was so innocuous we could practically eat it. With greater understanding, this idea was displaced and appropriate action taken to safeguard public health.”
The SOT Founders had an important impact on increasing the visibility and respect that the discipline of toxicology warrants. Moreover, these were nine individuals who realized the vision of creating a Society that advanced the science. Importantly, almost immediately SOT recognized scientists from other countries so there was good international rapport right from the beginning, including conferring awards to those who do not reside in North America.
“I was just finishing graduate school when I was selected an SOT Charter Member,” he remarked. “I was honored and humbled to join this group, having been encouraged by my mentor, SOT Founder Ken DeBois, under whom I studied at the University of Chicago.” He noted that while at Chicago he worked in the same lab as John Doull.
For more than 20 years, Dr. Hietbrink taught at South Dakota State University in Brookings and among his undergraduate students were Marion Ehrich, SOT 2003–2004 President and 2010 Merit Award recipient, and R. Craig Schnell, who had a distinguished career at North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota. He said that one of the greatest rewards of teaching was the pride he received from the accomplishments of those he taught.
When asked to describe the significant strengths of the Society, he replied that its enormous growth is because SOT is inclusive. Scientists join from a wide range of subdisciplines and sectors, including academia, government, and many types of industries. In turn, this diversity has increased the status and stature of SOT. “Many changes have occurred and more are ahead,” he stated. “We are in a golden age as toxicology is seen as important to human health and disease prevention. It is newsworthy when a compound or substance is understood and used safely and effectively. Toxicologists are recognized as the problem solvers that we are.”
In Memoriam
In Memoriam
Joan Walsh Cassedy
Joseph A. Molello
Kalipatnapu N. Rao
Michel W. Stevens
Mark S. Swanson
John H. Weikel Jr. |
Joan Walsh Cassedy
Joan Walsh Cassedy, 60, passed away on October 6, 2011, at her home in Chevy Chase, Maryland. She was the SOT Executive Director from 1985–1993. Ms. Cassedy, who was an association executive in Washington, DC for over 30 years, was a graduate of Immaculata Preparatory School, Hollins University, and the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School.
Kalipatnapu N. Rao
Submitted by Rama K. Rao
Kalipatnapu N. Rao, member of the Society of Toxicology, passed away on July 4, 2011. He fell ill and passed away at Vassar Brother’s Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York.
He obtained his PhD in Chemistry in 1965 from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India. After 35 years of outstanding research, dedicated teaching, and expert management of a Toxicology laboratory, he retired as a Professor of Pathology and Chief of Toxicology in the Division of Clinical Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He had a significant number of publications on pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and liver cancer. He was an invited speaker to several national and international scientific meetings. His scientific expertise and broad recognition in the field of toxicology enabled him to serve as an expert witness and thereby help both prosecution and defense lawyers. He gave several depositions, wrote several toxicology reports, and testified in several courts throughout the United States. He was an invited speaker at the Pennsylvania Bar Association Worker’s Compensation Section’s annual meeting in 2004 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Â His book “Forensic toxicology: Medico-legal case studies” by CRC Publications is expected to be published in the year 2012.
Mark S. Swanson
Mark S. Swanson, a long-time SOT member and Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology, recently passed away at the age of 61. Dr. Swanson earned a masters degree in biomedicinal chemistry in 1979 and a PhD in biochemical pharmacology/toxicology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1983, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Argonne National Laboratory. He worked as a toxicologist in the petroleum and chemical industries for more than 25 years (ARCO, Koch, Vulcan Chemicals, CITGO), and most recently for Marathon Petroleum Company in Findlay, Ohio, as their manager of toxicology and product safety. Mark served a tour of duty in the US Army in Viet Nam as an aircraft mechanic and was an avid motorcyclist. Mark loved his work, and those who knew him will miss his candid analysis of scientific issues, world-view, irreverent wit, and unique sense of humor.
John H. Weikel Jr.
SOT Charter member John H. Weikel Jr. passed away on April 23, 2011. He was a member of the 1962–1963 Nominating Committee.
Regional Chapters, Specialty Sections, and Special Interest Groups
Profit Sharing with RC, SS, and SIG Component Organizations to Develop CCT Meetings
Contemporary Concepts in Toxicology (CCT) meetings provide educational opportunities beyond the SOT Annual Meeting by serving as a forum for cutting-edge science to be discussed anywhere in the world. Based on input from the Regional Chapters (RC), Specialty Sections (SS), and Special Interest Groups (SIG) and a recommendation from the CCT Conferences Committee, SOT Council has approved a policy with the goal of increasing the number of CCT meetings presented each year and expanding the benefits of participation to all the SOT component groups in the process. RC, SS, or SIG proposals will share 50/50 of the profits generated from a CCT meeting. It is a win-win opportunity. This profit sharing will occur after the initial seed funds provided by the Society are repaid ($25,000).
“Hoops for the Endowment Fund” Basketball Free-Throw
Competition
A “Hoops for the Endowment Fund” fundraising event will be held at the SOT 2012 Annual Meeting. This fun event will allow individuals and groups to raise funds for a particular Endowment Fund, based on shooting basketball free-throw shots both before and during the 2012 SOT Annual Meeting. The program has two essential components:
- Pre-annual meeting individual and team free-throw sponsorship opportunities are available for purposes of raising money for SOT Endowment Funds. SOT Regional Chapters (RC), Specialty Sections (SS), and Special Interest Groups (SIG) are especially invited to participate in this fundraising event. This will provide these component groups the opportunity to support the Funds with which they have an association. In addition to the Named Funds, groups may wish to use this opportunity to work together to support General Purpose Funds as well.
- Individual and team free throw play-offs to be held at the Annual Meeting for the purposes of providing an on-site fun activity and raising money for SOT Endowment Funds in an open forum. Corporate sponsorships of the contest, as well as sponsorships of individual and team participants, will be available. Please consult the final Program for more details.
Note that participation is open to all SOT members and all registered attendees at the 2012 Annual Meeting (e.g., non-member, attendees, exhibitors, etc.). Individuals will seek sponsorship for themselves and/or for their team. Teams may be formed with unlimited membership and active participation during the premeeting phase to maximize sponsorship potential. These “virtual” teams will allow participants to be teammates regardless of where they are geographically located. For the on-site phase, each established team will designate any five (5) players to participate. Individuals may only hold membership on one team. SOT RC, SS, SIG, and other groups (such as the Graduate Student Leadership Council and Postdoctoral Assembly) may field as many teams as they see fit for the premeeting phase and comply with the five (5) players rule for the on-site activity.
Prizes—to be awarded at Annual Meeting Playoffs:
- Individual and Team Free-Throw Champions
- Individual and Team with the Most Attempts
- Individual and Team with the Highest Percentage of Free-Throws Made (min.100 attempts)
- Individual and Team with the Most Donations ($ amount)
“Hoop it up” for the Endowment Fund. Be sure to participate in this FUN event!
Epigenetics and Toxicology—Theme of the North Carolina Regional Chapter Annual Meeting
Submitted by NCSOT President Darol E. Dodd
 |
| NCSOT’s invited speakers (L to R), Dr. Dolinoy, Ms. Fry, host NCSOT Vice President Dr. Hughes, and Dr. Wolf. |
The North Carolina Regional Chapter (NCSOT) held its Annual Fall Meeting on September 22, 2011, on the campus of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The theme of the meeting was Epigenetics and Toxicology. There were approximately 110 people in attendance. The meeting began with a luncheon and career panel discussion for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The invited panelists included Sharon Ambrose (Charles River Laboratories), Jamie C. DeWitt (East Carolina University), J. Greg Falls (GlaxoSmithKline), Marla Goonan, Victor J. Johnson, (Burleson Research Technologies), MaryJane K. Selgrade (ICF International), and Larry P. Sheets (Bayer Crop Science).
 |
| PARC winners (L to R), Dr. Kurtz, Ms. Kleinstreuer, and Dr. Sun presented by NCSOT President, Dr. Dodd. |
The Fall Meeting started with a brief welcome and business meeting conducted by NCSOT President Darol E. Dodd. C. Lisa Kurtz of The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences (mentor Alison Harrill) was awarded first place in NCSOT’s President’s Award for Research Competition (PARC). The PARC is an annual award based on extended abstracts submitted by postdoctoral members of NCSOT. Dr. Kurtz presented a 15-minute talk on her research, entitled “Population Based Toxicity Assessment Implicates Mitochondrial Dysfunction as an Early Event in Isoniazid-Induced Liver Injury.” Nicole Churchill Kleinstreuer of the US EPA (mentor Thomas B. Knudsen) won second place, and Yang Sun of NIEHS (mentor Michael P. Waalkes) won third place in this competition.
NCSOT Vice President Michael F. Hughes coordinated the plenary session. Presentations focused on new discoveries about the role of epigenetic alterations in environmental health and challenges that regulators will face as they incorporate epigenetics into evaluations of safety and risk. Invited speakers (and titles) included Dana C. Dolinoy of the University of Michigan (Environmental Epigenetics: From Mice to Men), Rebecca C. Fry of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Arsenic and the Epigenome), and Douglas C. Wolf of the US EPA (Issues to Consider Regarding Incorporating Epigenetic Evaluation into Safety and Risk Assessment).
Northland Regional Meeting on Epigenetics Attracts Over 60 Participants
 |
| Dr. Jirtle gives his keynote presentation. |
The Northland Regional Chapter (NLSOT) held its fall meeting on Wednesday, October 5 at the US EPA Midcontinent Ecology Division Laboratory in Duluth, Minnesota. The meeting was titled “Epigenetics in Toxicology: An Emerging Field.” The meeting was well-attended with more than 60 participants.
Randy L. Jirtle of Duke University was the keynote speaker. His talk on epigenetics and toxicology in the 21st century was complemented by a presentation from Tracie Baker of the University of Wisconsin on transgenerational toxicity of dioxin in zebrafish. In addition, NLSOT was pleased to have three graduate students speak on their dissertation research. Jennifer Lynn Larson, a graduate student at the University of North Dakota, spoke on her research regarding the expression of SPARC in human urothelial cells (UROtsa) exposed to or malignantly transformed by cadmium or arsenite. Daniel M. Consoer, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, spoke on his research regarding mechanistic models for bioaccumulation of perfluroalkyl acids in fish and characterization of elimination pathways for the perfluorinated compounds PFOS and PFOA. In addition, Sarah Y. Skolness, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and the recipient of the 2010 NLSOT student travel award, spoke on the adverse outcome pathways for effects of the fungicide propiconazole on fish reproduction. Presentations are posted to the NLSOT website.
 |
| Dr. Pechacek presenting the award to Dr. Jacobson (former NLSOT Secretary/Treasurer). |
The meeting also included a presentation on ToXchange by NLSOT member, Therese K. Fick. NLSOT members were encouraged to access and update their individual profiles, as well as to use ToXchange as a collaborative resource.
In addition, Catherine F. Jacobson was recognized with a distinguished service award for her outstanding contributions to NLSOT through her years of service as the NLSOT Secretary/Treasurer. Dr. Jacobson served as the NLSOT Secretary/Treasurer from 2005–2011. In her role, she was instrumental in planning and executing NLSOT’s biannual meetings over the past several years.
NLSOT appreciates the Society of Toxicology’s funding support for speaker and student travel to the meeting.
NLSOT serves toxicologists in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. For more information about the chapter, please contact NLSOT President Nathan R. Pechacek via email or by phone at 651.293.2304 or go to the NLSOT website.
Are You Interested in Clinical and Translational Toxicology?—Join the New SOT Specialty Section
Are you interested in learning about the new Specialty Section (SS) for Clinical and Translational Toxicology (CTTSS)? All SOT members are invited to join the new CTTSS and to attend the first meeting of this SS on Wednesday evening, March 14, 2012, at the SOT 51st Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California.
The CTTSS will provide a forum within the SOT where members interested in the impact of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plants, fungi, toxic terrestrial, and marine animals on human health can share their state-of-the-art knowledge and propose new approaches for the treatment of these exposures, based on an understanding of their mechanisms of toxicity.
The CTTSS is committed to improving the management of human poisoning by using a translational approach that links molecular mechanisms to rational therapy and then stimulates clinicians to make novel observations about the nature of poisoning, which in turn will lead to further molecular or cellular studies. In addition, the CTTSS will stimulate discussion on the optimal regimens for treatment based on a detailed understanding of the toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of the agent involved and the pharmacology and adverse effects of the proposed treatment.
The CTTSS will provide a unique nexus at the SOT meetings for presentations and discussions on human toxicology. The SS also will strive to assist the Society in giving a voice to those issues in human toxicology that are deemed to deserve greater recognition and attention among the collective membership and beyond.
The objectives of the CTTSS are to:
- To serve as the focal point for the interaction of SOT members interested in clinical and translational toxicology and to stimulate new interest among SOT members in all aspects of human toxicology.
- To increase awareness among Society members of the impact of acute and chronic poisoning as seen in clinical practice; to highlight shortfalls in the available diagnostic and treatment methods, especially therapeutic interventions; to identify uncertainty in regards to the pathogenic processes in some intoxications, and to stimulate research that will enhance the diagnosis and treatment of patients with acute or chronic poisoning.
- To act as a resource for the Society in the area of human toxicology.
- To develop, propose, and sponsor state-of-the-art symposia, workshops, and continuing education courses at the SOT Annual Meeting in order to emphasize the latest developments and issues in clinical and translational toxicology.
For further information, please visit the CTTSS Website.
| Annual Meeting & ToxExpo™ |
 |
Annual Meeting Deadlines:
Early Bird Registration: January 27, 2012
Housing Reservation: February 3, 2012
Standard Registration: February 17, 2012
Cancellation: February 17, 2012 |
SOT 2012 Annual Meeting Registration Underway
Early Bird Deadline January 27, 2012
The SOT Annual Meeting is on your calendar and you may have already reserved a hotel room. Now, take advantage of the Early Bird Registration and realize a significant discount on the cost of final registration. Online registration is available for SOT members and non-members alike to capture these savings.
The registration fee for the SOT Annual Meeting includes admission to all scientific sessions, Awards Presentation, ToxExpo, a copy of the Program, The Toxicologist on CD-ROM (abstracts), and the ToxExpo Directory. For additional information and to register, please visit the 2012 Annual Meeting website.
We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco!
SOT 2012 Annual Meeting and ToxExpo Highlights
Welcome Reception
Sunday, March 11, 6:30 PM–7:30 PM
Following the Awards Ceremony, continue the celebration by attending the Welcome Reception, a great opportunity to renew old friendships and to make new acquaintances. Please join the Society in this kick-off of the Annual Meeting.
Monday, March 12, 8:00 AM–9:00 AM
Systems Medicine, Systems Toxicology, Transformational Technologies, and the Revolution from Reactive to Proactive (P4) Medicine
Lecturer: Leroy Hood, Institute of Systems Biology, Seattle, WA
Dr. Hood will discuss the emerging technologies (measurement and visualization) that will transform medicine and the analyses of toxicity over the next 10 years—including next generation DNA sequencing, targeted mass spectrometry, microfluidic protein chips, and single-cell analyses. According to Dr. Hood, systems approaches to disease, together with pioneering changes in technology and the development of powerful new computational and mathematical tools, will transform medicine over the next 5–20 years from its currently reactive state to a mode that is predictive, personalized, preventive, and participatory (P4). In conclusion, Dr. Hood will describe what P4 medicine will do for the individual patient. He also will consider the societal impact of P4 medicine and how the Institute of Systems Biology has created global strategic partnerships to bring P4 medicine to patients.
Role of microRNAs in Control of Gene Expression in Human Physiology and Pathology
Tuesday, March 13, 8:00 AM–9:00 AM
Lecturer: Witold Filipowicz, Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
This lecture will provide the latest information about the mechanism of miRNA-mediated repression of gene expression, procedures to identify miRNA targets, as well as a role of miRNAs in selected human pathologies and the use of miRNA profiling as a diagnostic tool in human diseases and in tissue and cell injuries. MiRNAs have been found secreted from cells via exosomes and their profiling in human serum and other body fluids appears to be a promising diagnostic tool in different pathologies. MiRNAs may also play important roles in cellular responses to xenobiotic stresses and in control of drug-metabolizing enzymes. In addition, miRNAs or compounds blocking their function represent promising therapeutic agents.
Tuesday, March 13, 6:00 AM
Building on the positive response from last year, the Past Presidents Fun Run returns to the streets of San Francisco. With no registration or sign-up fee and a flexible starting point, this is truly going to be a “fun run.” Join your fellow meeting attendees in the lobby of your hotel on Tuesday, March 13 at 6:00 am local time, ask the front desk for the official SOT Past Presidents Fun Run map, and begin! (All hotels in the official SOT housing block will have a copy of this map.)
Not a runner? Not a problem! This event looks to bring together runners or walkers of all levels and paces. The course accommodates everyone with a goal of having fun.
There will not be any officials, so if you plan to time yourself and would like to share your results, please email your name, time, and hotel to Renee Maisel and we will post the times to the SOT website. We also welcome photos and a small write-up, which will be published in the Spring Communiqué.
Last Chance to Submit an Abstract for the SOT 2012 Annual Meeting
For the upcoming SOT 2012 Annual Meeting and ToxExpo, SOT received more than more than 2,800 abstract submissions. SOT is providing members and attendees the opportunity to submit additional abstracts for consideration from December 12, 2011–January 20, 2012. Please use the descriptions below to categorize your abstract submission:
- Late-breaking abstracts are defined as those abstracts deemed to be novel, state-of-the-art research for which results were not available before the October submission deadline.
- Grace period abstracts are defined as abstracts from scientists who had to wait until after the abstract deadline to determine if funding was available for SOT Annual Meeting attendance or those who could only attend if they are presenting an abstract due to restricted travel.
Abstracts submitted for the “late-breaking” category that are not accepted will automatically be considered for the “grace period” category. All abstracts must be submitted online via the abstract submission website.
All abstracts accepted during this final submission phase will be accessible through the Online Itinerary Planner, not the printed Program. Paper copies of late-breaking abstracts will be available to attendees in the registration area at the Annual Meeting. We look forward to welcoming you to San Francisco and hope that you will consider submitting your abstracts.
SOT Sponsors Research Resource Funding Room During the 2012 Annual Meeting
The SOT Research Funding Committee is sponsoring the Research Funding Resource Room again during the SOT 2012 Annual Meeting. Representatives from federal agencies funding research, including NIH program and review staff of the Center for Scientific Review and NIEHS, will be available on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 13–14, in the room for individual conversations to talk about current funding opportunities at various Federal agencies. Current grantees are urged to contact their program officer well in advance of the meeting to make an appointment to meet at the Resource Room. Alternatively, grantees and potential grantees can check the posted schedule at the Resource Room and exhibit booth for program and review staff availability during the meeting. New and early stage investigators are especially encouraged to meet with program and review staff. Handouts will be available. For additional information, please contact Martha Lindauer.
SOT Set to Provide High Quality Educational Opportunities with CE Courses at the 2012 Annual Meeting
Providing quality education to help advance the science of toxicology is one of the primary goals of SOT. Each year top scientists from around the world work together to create unique education courses. This year SOT and the Continuing Education (CE) Committee are pleased to announce 13 CE courses, which will be held on Sunday, March 11, 2012, at the Moscone Convention Center. A single sunrise course will begin at 7:00 am, followed by six morning courses starting at 8:15 am. Six afternoon courses will then begin at 1:15 pm.
The two CE Target Areas—Drug Metabolism; Noncoding RNAs and Their Role in Biology and Toxicology—will be touched on by two of the CE courses:
- MicroRNAs in Biology and Toxicology (PM10)
- The Use of Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling to Inform Early Life Sensitivity to Chemical Toxicity (PM13)
Additionally, several CE courses are being tracked according to Scientific Program Themes:
- Applications of Biomarkers in the Assessment of Health and Disease (AM02)
- Concepts of Green Chemistry and Its Role in the Identification and Design of Safer Chemicals and Products (PM08)
- Cutaneous Toxicity: In Vitro Methods for Toxicity and Safety Evaluation (AM04)
- Frontiers and Applications in Predictive Toxicology: In Silico Methods for Risk Assessment, Toxicology, and Metabolism (AM05)
- Overview and Application of the WHO-IPCS Harmonized Guidance for Immunotoxicity Risk Assessment for Chemicals (AM06)
- Regulatory Sciences: Preclinical Drug Development from Small Molecules to Biologics (PM11)
The course levels are basic or advanced and are open to all meeting attendees with a separate registration fee. Additional information about these courses, including the complete schedule, detailed overview, and list of speakers, can be found on the CE section of the Annual Meeting website.
Students Can Volunteer to Help and Attend a CE Course for FREE!
SOT’s Continuing Education (CE) courses are a great resource for students and postdocs to obtain valuable information beyond what may be available through their scholastic programs, presented in a dynamic setting by world-renowned speakers who are experts in their fields. All students and postdocs are encouraged to attend, but also to volunteer to assist with the courses on-site in San Francisco. Student volunteers assist the CE Committee and SOT staff by checking in attendees, distributing the course books, and making sure the course runs smoothly overall. As volunteers, you will not only see the behind-the-scenes work that goes into a course and have personalized access to these prestigious presenters, but also get to attend for FREE! Volunteers also will have an opportunity to network with the speakers and the CE Committee over lunch.
Volunteers are taken on a first-come, first-served basis and may be asked to assist with two courses (one morning and one afternoon). Two to three volunteers are needed for each course. Responsibilities include attendance at an orientation meeting and preparation of some materials Saturday afternoon (March 10) before the Sunday courses (March 11). This opportunity is available to any students or postdocs who are already registered to attend the Annual Meeting.
If you are interested in signing up as a CE course Student volunteer, please sign up online, or contact Jim O’Callaghan, Vishal Vaidya, or SOT Headquarters. Please review the list of courses on the Annual Meeting website and specify your top three choices. Preferences for courses will be taken into consideration as much as possible but are not guaranteed.
Sister Societies Encouraged to Participate in Global Gallery of Toxicology
Societies of toxicology from around the world are invited to participate in the “Global Gallery of Toxicology.” Now in its second year, posters showcasing the formation, key accomplishments, and strategic initiatives, current and future activities of these sister societies, will be prominently displayed during the meeting. SOT and these societies aim to increase the reliance of international decision makers on the science of toxicology to advance human health and disease prevention. For more information or to reserve a poster board please contact Renee Maisel by January 5, 2012.
SOT Sponsors K–12 Outreach in San Francisco and other K–12 Activities
“What do Snow White, Romeo and Juliet, and The Madhatter have in Common?—Toxicology!” This is the title for the special event that the Education Committee K–12 Subcommittee, in conjunction with the Northern California Regional Chapter, is hosting at the Lawrence Hall of Science on Saturday, March 10, 2012, from 10:30 am–4:30 pm. Toxicologists will provide engaging activities and interactive drama related to toxicology for visitors to the University of California Berkeley science museum. While learning that the “dose makes the poison,” families will gain knowledge about toxicology and toxicology careers. Undergraduate students from the University of California Berkeley Toxicology Student Association will assist. The Lawrence Hall of Science is a premier science museum for preschoolers on up with fascinating exhibits, an ingenuity lab, live science demonstrations, and a planetarium. Toufan Parman is the event coordinator and Jeffrey S. Tepper and Luoping Zhang are part of the coordinating team.
Daniel E. Arrieta is the K–12 Subcommittee coordinator for Annual Meeting activities, and he is organizing the special poster session for high school students that will be held in ToxExpo near the SOT Pavilion. High school students with research posters related to toxicology are encouraged to submit their work for display for part of the day on March 13 or 14. There also will be numerous posters about K–12 outreach activities in the Annual Meeting “Education and Legal Issues” poster session.
Joanna M. Matheson and Maureen R. Gwinn chair the K–12 Subcommittee. Two other important efforts have been initiated this year to increase communicating the importance of toxicology to the younger crowd. The Subcommittee is working with the Regional Chapter Collaboration and Communication Committee and the K–12 Regional Chapter Outreach Contacts appointed by each Regional Chapter to share ideas and resources for increased effort at the regional level. Rafael A. Ponce Jr. is the K–12 Subcommittee member leading this effort. Angela Slitt and Therese Fick are coordinating the collection of toxicology-related materials for K–12 outreach and organization for easy access on the Education and Public Outreach section of the SOT website.
SOT Pavilion—Your Place to Connect in the Exhibit Hall
Do you know all the resources available through SOT and where to find them? Stop by the SOT Pavilion located in the ToxExpo Exhibit Hall and learn about SOT services, membership benefits, and more. Find out about the SOT Endowment Fund, Toxicological Sciences, SOT awards, sponsored awards, and fellowships, ToXchange—the SOT member network, educational resources, and everything taking place at the Annual Meeting.
The SOT Pavilion is your one-stop shop for all your membership needs. It’s a great place to connect, network, and discover what’s news. The Pavilion is located in the Exhibit Hall, Booth 1700, and open the following hours:
| Monday, March 12 | 9:00 am–4:30 pm |
| Tuesday, March 13 | 8:30 am–4:30 pm |
| Wednesday, March 14 | 8:30 am–4:30 pm |
Graduate Students, Postdocs, Academic Program Directors, and All Toxicologists—SOT Undergraduate Program Wants YOU!
The Committee on Diversity Initiatives (CDI) is asking that you join them in an important effort to recruit the next generation of toxicologists by participating in the SOT Undergraduate Education Program. The program provides travel funding for undergraduate students from ethnic groups who are underrepresented in the sciences and also for students from institutions that do not receive a high amount of federal funding for science, technology, engineering, and math. These 36 students participate in a carefully designed two and a half day program providing the opportunity for promising undergraduates to learn about toxicology, the rewards of careers in biomedical science, and graduate school opportunities. They will hear introductory toxicology lectures, visit posters, and discuss how to apply to and be successful in graduate school, and meet with academic program directors.
 |
Mentors. You can serve as an Undergraduate Program mentor. One of the most important aspects of the program is the mentoring groups, which consist of about five students, two graduate school peer mentors, and two SOT toxicologist host-mentors. This mentoring arrangement provides personal attention and gives the students opportunities to ask questions in an informal setting and to learn about toxicologists as people as well as scientists. Groups interact throughout the Undergraduate Program from Saturday night through midday Monday, and stay in contact after the meeting. Please volunteer to assist by contacting Sudheer Reddy Beedanagari or Susan Simmons. Then plan your arrival in San Francisco so that you can be at the opening session, 4:45 pm (PST), Saturday afternoon, March 10.
 |
Academic Program Director Session. Your academic program can take advantage of the opportunity to meet in person with this highly qualified group of undergraduates. Plan to have a member of your department participate in this open session from 3:00 pm–5:00 pm on Sunday, March 11, in San Francisco. Contact Susan Simmons for more information.
CDI Reunion. In addition, if you have ever been involved in the CDI Undergraduate Program, mark your Annual Meeting calendar for 8:00 pm Saturday, March 10, to join in the CDI Reunion where they will celebrate accomplishments, recognize the 2012 Perry J. Gehring Diversity Student Travel Award recipient, and greet friends old and new.
Student Events at the 51st Annual Meeting
The SOT Annual Meeting in San Francisco will be filled with opportunities to celebrate and network, as well as to pursue the latest in toxicology. For students who are new to the meeting or who have been before, the place to kick-off the week is the Student/Postdoctoral Mixer on Sunday evening, March 11, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. This mixer, hosted by the Graduate Student Leadership Committee (GSLC), is a great event to begin networking right away: Learn more about the different component groups of SOT, meet up with colleagues, and discuss issues of interest or concern with other student and postdoctoral meeting attendees. The Mixer was a great success in Washington, DC, with over 320 attendees, door prizes, a networking game, and more. Please plan to join us in San Francisco in 2012. Tickets are FREE. Be sure to sign up when you register for the SOT 2012 Annual Meeting.
Another popular activity hosted by the GSLC is the Chat with an Expert, formerly known as Lunch with an Expert, program. Graduate student participants have the great opportunity to network and gain insights from seasoned toxicologists about career paths. The 2011 program was a great success, with nearly 70 Experts volunteering to meet over 130 students during the SOT Annual Meeting. As part of this dynamic program, graduate students are matched with toxicology experts, establishing communication among them, and facilitating face-to-face meetings at the Annual Meeting. Every year this program is highly rated by the participants.
This program also includes “Chat with a Postdoc” and “Chat with a Graduate Student.” At the 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, this program was expanded to include informal face-to-face meetings between postdocs and graduate students (with postdocs acting as hosts), and graduate students and undergraduates (with graduate students acting as hosts). Postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduate students should register in advance so you can join the group communication before the meeting—the deadline is February 1, 2012.
The GSLC and Postdoctoral Assembly will cosponsor a symposium session at the 2012 Annual Meeting. The session, “Epigenetic and miRNA Regulations in Carcinogenesis: Toxicological Implications,” fits in the SOT scientific theme “Aberrant Gene Expression in Toxicity and Disease—Epigenetics and microRNAs.” One of the goals of this session is to highlight the scientific achievements of students and postdocs, who are the presenters, as well as contributing to the overall scientific program. The complete symposium information is featured in the Fall 2011 SOT Student e-Letter on the Graduate Students section of the SOT website.
Students also are encouraged to attend other Annual Meeting events and the Specialty Section receptions, as well as the annual In Vitro Lecture and Luncheon for Students on Monday, March 12, 2012.
Experts Needed for Chat with an Expert in
San Francisco
Chat with an Expert is an excellent opportunity for established toxicologists to mentor early career toxicologists and for graduate students and postdocs to explore research and career opportunities. Feedback from Experts clearly indicates that they enjoy this event and many generously volunteer their time every year. (Hint: Have you heard this mentioned elsewhere?) Sponsored by the Graduate Student Leadership Committee, groups of about five are composed by matching areas of interest selected by the Experts, students, and postdocs. The Expert selects the site for the informal meeting, and the “chat” can be over coffee, a snack, or a social hour or meal. The Expert registration deadline is January 9, 2012. Experts interested in participating in this unique and popular program should register.
Annual Meeting Poster Tours for Trainees
New at the 2012 Annual Meeting! Students and postdoctoral scientists have the opportunity to go on a one hour guided poster tour with an expert toxicologist. Poster Tours for Trainees will provide a setting for trainees to take part in critical evaluation of cutting-edge toxicology methods and research findings, network with an Expert, and perhaps even build a long-term relationship with a senior toxicologist. Poster Tours for Trainees is brought to you by the Postdoctoral Assembly.
Sign up at the links below by February 11, 2012.
Register as a Graduate student or postdoctoral scholar who would like an Expert Toxicologist to guide you through the poster maze at the Annual Meeting.
Register as an Associate or Full SOT member who would like to serve as a poster tour-guide.
Email Michele La Merrill, Chair of the Postdoctoral Assembly, to express your interest or ask questions now.
GSLC Sponsors “Tox ShowDown”
Join the Graduate Student Leadership Committee (GSLC) and your peers Tuesday night at 7:30, March 13, for the “Tox ShowDown,” an engaging quiz game patterned after the popular long-running show It’s Academic. Teams of three contestants will compete by answering questions concerning toxicology not only in its scientific context, but also as it relates to society, the arts, and culture. Sponsored by GSLC, this event is sure to be both informative and entertaining and a perfect way to celebrate the halfway point of the SOT Annual Meeting. The game will provide attendees with a break, albeit still toxicologically oriented, from the more technical business of the meeting. All Annual Meeting attendees are invited (no special ticket needed).
ToxExpo—A Great Opportunity for Exhibitors
We’ve Got the Numbers You Want
ToxExpo 2012 is the place to see cutting-edge technology and find nearly all toxicology-related services available on the market today. We are expecting to attract more than 7,500 scientists and industry professionals to attend SOT’s 51st Annual Meeting and ToxExpo. What better opportunity to…
- meet face-to-face,
- build relationships with new prospects, and
- network with other exhibiting companies.
Online Marketplace at ToxExpo.com
ToxExpo exhibitors are listed online year-round to increase your visibility and exposure to your target audience. It’s a rich resource for all the services and products toxicologists need throughout the year.
ToxExpo Time!
In addition to the standard Exhibit Hall hours and poster presentation times, one hour of dedicated ToxExpo Time has been allotted in the scientific program for attendees to visit with exhibitors. ToxExpo Time will take place on Wednesday, March 14 from 1:00 pm–2:00 pm.
A Global Audience
Nearly 20 percent of SOT’s Annual Meeting and ToxExpo attendees represent scientists from countries outside the United States.
For more information on exhibiting at the largest toxicology trade show in the world, please visit ToxExpo.com, or contact Liz Kasabian via email or call at 703.438.3115 ext. 1454.
The following are the exhibit hours for the 2012 ToxExpo in San Francisco, California:
|
Monday, March 12, 2012 |
9:00 am–4:30 pm |
| Tuesday, March 13, 2012 |
8:30 am–4:30 pm |
| Wednesday, March 14, 2012 |
8:30 am–4:30 pm |
Sponsorship Opportunities Are Still Available
Annual Meeting sponsorship serves as visible evidence of an organization’s commitment to the Society’s mission of “creating a safer and healthier world by advancing the science of toxicology.” Moreover, sponsorship provides an opportunity for private, public, and not-for-profit organizations to increase overall
awareness of their services and programs to SOT members and Annual Meeting attendees.
Sponsors are listed in publications related to the Annual Meeting, including the Preliminary Program, the Program, pre- and postmeeting newsletters, and the ToxExpo Directory. In addition, Annual Meeting Sponsors are listed on the SOT Annual Meeting website, an essential go-to source of information for all registrants. During the Annual Meeting, acknowledgment signs, which group sponsors by level of contribution, are displayed prominently at many of the SOT functions, as well as in the SOT presentations in all session rooms.
In appreciation for their support of the Society, sponsors at the Silver Level and above are invited to the SOT President’s Reception. Five levels of sponsorship are available:
- Diamond ($10,000 or more)
- Platinum ($5,000–$9,999)
- Gold ($2,500–$4,999)
- Silver ($2,000–$2,499)
- Contributor ($1,000–$1,999)
In 2011, several new benefits were made available to Diamond Level Sponsors and will continue again this year. Please see the 2012 Annual Meeting Sponsors page for more details.
Employers and Candidates Connect at the Annual Meeting Job Bank Center
Located in the Moscone Convention Center in rooms 272, 274, and 276, the on-site Job Bank Center provides access to the Job Bank as well as assistance in facilitating interviews at the SOT Annual Meeting. We offer personalized assistance if you are new to the Job Bank or have questions. For your convenience, printers will be available for producing hard copies of candidate profiles and position descriptions. All candidates and positions must be sought online.
The Job Bank Center is available during the following hours of operation:
| Sunday |
1:00 pm–5:00 pm |
| Monday |
9:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Tuesday |
8:30 am–5:00 pm |
| Wednesday |
8:30 am–5:00 pm |
Employers recognize and appreciate that the SOT Annual Meeting Job Bank Center provides a cost-effective and efficient way to interview a distinguished pool of candidates. For your convenience, we provide eight interview rooms on-site during the hours listed above. In advance of the meeting, employers will be able to make reservations for these interview rooms, allowing better scheduling for employers and candidates. As with the online Job Bank, SOT Members have free access to the Center. All users with current Job Bank registration at the time of the Annual Meeting will be permitted to use this service. Although you are encouraged to preregister before entering the Job Bank Center, you can register on-site.
Job Bank access will be available—as always—through your personal computer or mobile device and at the Annual Meeting Email Center. Access to the online Job Bank in the Job Bank Center is limited to short searches for updates or new information. For additional information, contact Kelly Martin at SOT Headquarters: 703.438.3115 ext. 1660.
Mentor Match: The SOT Members’ Online Mentoring Program
The Society of Toxicology recognizes the importance of mentoring in the scientific and professional development of its members. The objective of the online mentoring program, Mentor Match, is to provide a service that matches mentees with potential mentors from the SOT membership to provide advice on career path selection, professional development, and life/work balance issues. SOT members are encouraged to share their professional knowledge and experience by serving as mentors for colleagues and for the next generation of toxicologists. The SOT Annual Meeting provides a great opportunity for the mentor and mentee to meet in person. We strongly encourage members of
the Society to visit the Mentor Match site and register online as mentors and/or mentees.
The Mentor Match program will develop as individuals register, allowing the quantity of
profiles to increase to a robust combination of both mentors and mentees.
2013 Plans Are Already Underway!!!
Present a Scientific Session or CE Course at the 52nd Annual Meeting in San Antonio in 2013
Do you have an idea for a scientific session or Continuing Education (CE) course that should be presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting? It is not too early to start thinking about ideas and making plans. The Annual Meeting program for the Society provides attendees with an opportunity to learn about emerging fields and how they apply to toxicology. Why not position yourself to deliver a high quality basic or advanced CE course, or a cutting-edge session that will be delivered at the leading international forum for toxicologists. The Annual Meeting will continue to track timely themes and CE target areas and we encourage you to join these ranks and leave your scientific “footprint” in San Antonio.
All scientific session and CE proposals are evaluated on their merit. All topics for proposal submissions are welcome and will be reviewed under the current criteria for their timeliness and relevance to the field of toxicology. If you wish to submit a proposal for consideration, we encourage you to begin working with your SS and SIG.
We hope you will consider developing a proposal for the 52nd Annual Meeting in San Antonio in 2013! All proposals must be submitted online by April 30, 2012.
Time Capsule to Be Sealed at the End of 2011
All the items that have been collected from the SOT 50th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo and items that were subsequently donated to the SOT Time Capsule are scheduled to be sealed by December 31, 2011. EPL, Inc. has graciously agreed to provide storage space for the SOT Time Capsule, and once it is sealed no one will have access for the next 25 years. The next time the time capsule will be opened for public viewing will be sometime in 2036 at the 75th Diamond Anniversary of the Society. To see the items that will be sealed away for the next 25 years, go to the Time Capsule section of the 50th Anniversary website.
Forty Years of Regulatory Science Research—National Center for Toxicological Research Reaches a Major Milestone
The 40th anniversary of the US Food and Drug Administration’s (US FDA) National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), highlighting 40 years of regulatory science research, opened with a “Global Summit on Regulatory Science and Innovation” on August 11 at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Global Summit, cohosted by US FDA’s Office of International Programs (OIP), included leading international scientists from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and also the United States. The Summit consisted of five discussion sessions:
- Session 1: Introduction to Regulatory Research and the Role of Scientific Innovation
- Session 2: Impact of Research on Global Public Health Decisions
- Session 3: Global Research Collaborations
- Session 4: Training Scientists for the Global Research Enterprise
- Session 5: Future Direction for Regulatory Science Research and Innovation to Promote Global Health
The closing address to the Summit by Margaret A. Hamburg, MD, Commissioner, US Food and Drug Administration, was titled, “Regulatory Science to Improve Global Public Health.”
 |
| Arkansas Governor Beebe welcomes the Global Summit participants to the newly renovated Grand Hall at the Governor’s Mansion. |
The Honorable Mike Beebe, Governor of Arkansas, his wife, Ginger, and Maria Haley,* the Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), hosted a reception and dinner at the Governor’s Mansion following the Global Summit, in honor of the US FDA/NCTR’s 40th Anniversary and the new partnership between US FDA and the State of Arkansas for developing a Center for Regulatory Science. The Governor’s invitation list included speakers and participants at the Global Summit, Arkansas’s congressional members, and local business members. Governor Beebe and Dr. Hamburg addressed attendees at the celebratory dinner.
The 40th Anniversary celebration of NCTR continued August 12 with a continental breakfast welcoming the Global Summit’s international scientists, US FDA leadership guests, NCTR alumni, and Arkansas academic and business leaders to the NCTR campus in Jefferson, Arkansas. NCTR Director William Slikker Jr. welcomed everyone to the day’s events. Governor Mike Beebe delivered an inspiring keynote speech, noting the essential role of NCTR research in public health and as a driving force to the economic engine. Dr. Hamburg, Commissioner, US FDA, provided additional comments, specifically noting the role of NCTR science and employees in public health decisions. US Senator Mark Pryor and Congressman Mike Ross provided political perspectives on the importance of NCTR, to not only the US FDA and the public, but also its economic impact in Arkansas. Other members of the Arkansas Congressional delegation were represented at the occasion (Senator John Boozman represented by Chris Caldwell, and Congressman Tim Griffin represented by Jason McGehee).
 |
| US FDA Commissioner Hamburg and Governor Beebe shake hands after the signing of the MOU. |
The dignitaries and guests gathered at the Central Fountain Courtyard of the Jefferson Laboratories campus where a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between US FDA and the State of Arkansas was signed by Governor Beebe, Dr. Hamburg, Dr. Slikker, and Maria Haley. The MOU officially established a Virtual Center of Regulatory Science and partnership between the University of Arkansas System, Arkansas State University, US FDA/NCTR, and the State of Arkansas.
The formal ceremony concluded with the Commissioner’s recognition of 40-year career service employee, Glenn Newport. Immediately following the event, visitors were taken on guided tours through the Center, followed by lunch.
 |
| Mary Lou Valdez (2nd from right), presented an OIP medal to Kayihura Manigaba (Rwanda), who is being mentored by Beverly Lyn-Cook. William Slikker Jr. pictured far right. |
Later that afternoon, there was a “Meet the Investigators” science poster session. Mary Lou Valdez, US FDA Associate Commissioner for OIP, recognized several researchers and their mentors as part of the International Scientist Exchange Program. The program provides opportunities for researchers from developing countries to conduct regulatory research projects at NCTR for up to 12 months. The researchers return to their countries with the expertise to participate in building or enhancing their nation’s regulatory infrastructures and to apply their expertise to solving local, regional, and global public health problems.
* Ms. Maria Haley (AEDC Executive Director) passed away suddenly on September 13, 2011. She will be missed greatly by everyone who was fortunate to know and work with her.
Scientific Liaison Coalition Convened Its Third Meeting in Alexandria, Virginia
Scientific Liaison Coalition (SLC) and Scientific Liaison Task Force (SLTF) Chair David Kaufman, welcomed participants to the third intersociety meeting held on September 13 in Alexandria, Virginia. Those societies represented at this full-day meeting included the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology (AACT), American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT), The Endocrine Society (ENDO), Environmental Mutagen Society (EMS), Safety Pharmacology Society (SPS), Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR), Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), Society of Toxicologic Pathology (STP), Society of Toxicology (SOT), and Teratology Society (TS). Other SLC participating societies include the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), American Chemical Society (ACS), American Society for Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET), International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics (ISSX), and Society for Risk Analysis (SRA).
The meeting participants affirmed that the overarching goals for the SLC remain to:
- Strengthen partnerships among scientific and health-based organizations to increase awareness of the impact of toxicology and related subjects on human health, and
- Function as a means to enhance cooperation among societies as equals with the goal of accomplishing tasks benefiting human health and disease prevention through joint and several shared activities.
The society representatives included the following: Sally P. Darney (SSR), Loretta L. Doan (ENDO), Rosalie K. Elespuru (EMS), Jeffrey I. Everitt (SLTF), Kenneth L. Hastings (SLTF), Mary Jeanne Kallman (SPS), Thomas B. Knudsen (SLTF), Shawn Douglas Lamb (SOT Executive Director), Lois D. Lehman-McKeeman (SOT Council Contact), Qiang Ma (SLTF), Tonia Masson (EMS and TS Executive Director), Kevin S. McDorman (STP), Kenneth E. McMartin (AACT), Donna L. Mendrick (SOT Disease Prevention Task Force), Dennis J. Naas (SLTF), Lewis Nelson (ACMT), Ofelia A. Olivero (EMS), Sue Pitsch (STP Executive Director), Lynnda L. Reid (Teratology), and Mary Reilly (SETAC).
The NIH Peer Review Process Explained
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is the agency of the US Government responsible for medical research. The NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases, body systems, or populations. For example, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) seeks to examine growth and development, biologic and reproductive functions, behavior patterns, and population dynamics to protect and maintain the health of all people.
Institutes such as NICHD carry out their respective missions by funding scientists in universities and research institutions across America and around the globe (extramural program—85%) and by conducting research internally (intramural program—10%). In fact, NIH is the largest source of medical research funding in the world. NIH receives about 80,000 grant applications a year, the majority of which are reviewed for scientific merit through the peer review process. Although this process may seem complicated, it ensures that NIH grant applications receive fair, independent, expert, and timely reviews so NIH can fund the most promising research.
The peer review process for applications from the extramural community typically begins at the Center for Scientific Review (CSR), a centralized portal that evaluates the majority of research grant applications sent to NIH. Upon submission to CSR, applications are assigned to a relevant Integrated Review Group, which represents a cluster of study sections around a general scientific area. A study section typically includes 20 or more leading scientists from the relevant community of productive researchers; these members serve four-year terms and meet at regular intervals to perform the first level of application review. At least three of the study section members read and critique each application in advance of the study section meeting. The reviewers also assign preliminary impact/priority scores, which then determine which applications are discussed and ultimately scored by the full study section. About 50 percent of the applications submitted will be scored and considered by the full study section.
In addition, individual Institutes will occasionally set up special reviews for areas of science that do not fit neatly within one of the standing study sections. This allows the scientific staff to set up review teams to look at applications responding to a specific funding opportunity.
Once a grant application receives a score by a study section, the next step is review by the Advisory Council of the potential awarding Institute. Advisory Councils have 24 members that are appointed by the HHS Secretary, one-third of whom are members of the public. The role of these bodies is to look at the applications and the Institute’s overall research portfolio to ensure not only that the best science is being funded, but also that balance exists among the Institute’s priorities. Based on the recommendations of the Advisory Council, the institute director makes final funding decisions.
Applications that are not successful following their first submission may be revised and resubmitted one time. Investigators are encouraged to work with the relevant Institute’s scientific staff to address any shortcomings identified by the reviewers.
More information about funding opportunities, grant application forms, instructions and policies can be found on the NIH Office of Extramural Research website. Details regarding CSR and study sections are located on the NIH CSR website.
Collaboration News
Submitted by Bill Smith, President of the International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics (ISSX)
I appreciate your continued efforts (i.e., Scientific Liaison Coalition) to encourage collaborations between SOT and other organizations. We review all of your proposals but as of yet have not found the best fit for us. We recently held our North American ISSX Meeting in Atlanta. On the last day of our meeting the Southeast Regional Chapter of SOT (SESOT) was also having their meeting. Eddie Morgan from Emory worked with us so we could invite free-of-charge SESOT members, mostly students and postdocs, to attend the half-day session. The topics presented were a keynote lecture on Novel Approaches to Predict Drug-Induced Liver Injury presented by Kevin Park, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, followed by a symposium on Metabolomic Applications for Assessing Drug Response and Toxicity chaired by Rima Kaddurah-Daouk, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. I talked to a few SESOT attendees in the audience and they seemed to appreciate the opportunity. I wanted to make sure you and the SOT officers were aware.
Update on AAALAC International
Submitted by Loren D. Koller, SOT Liaison Representative to AAALAC Board of Trustees
During the past year, the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International has adopted three Reference Standards that include the 8th Edition of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching, and the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes. AAALAC’s Council on Accreditation (COA) has developed a revised Program Description and new Position Statements, Frequently Asked Questions, and Description of the “Three Primary Standards.” These actions were undertaken to clarify AAALAC’s interpretation of the recommendations in the new Guide and emphasizes a performance approach in addressing the Guides recommendations. More information on the COA’s activities can be found on the AAALAC website.
Currently, there are 841 accredited units in 33 countries worldwide and 98 percent of them have “Full Accreditation” status. During the past year, 55 new applicants were awarded accreditation with 32 of them being located in countries other than the United States. The COA membership has been expanded to 56 experts from 12 different countries. AAALAC has three separate but interacting Councils on Accreditation (North America, European, and Pacific Rim) consisting of members from their respective countries.
IUTOX ICTXIII To Be Held in Seoul—Scientific Proposal Deadline December 31
The Society of Toxicology and its members are active and dedicated participants in the International Union of Toxicology (IUTOX). SOT members serve as IUTOX Executive Committee members and SOT provides financial support to many IUTOX initiatives.
The Scientific Program Committee of the Korean Society of Toxicology, host of the 13th International Congress of Toxicology (ICTXIII) meeting in Seoul, Korea, June 30–July 4, 2013, has announced a December 31, 2011, submission deadline for scientific proposals to support the theme, “Translational Toxicology: From Basic Science to Clinical and Environmental Outcomes.” This congress will offer you many opportunities to exchange advanced knowledge on toxicology. The congress will be comprised of keynote lectures given by world-renowned scholars, in addition to symposia, workshops, and debates, as well as oral and poster sessions.
Please visit the ICTXIII website to learn more about the meeting and to download a copy of the scientific proposal form and submission guidelines.
New CCT Meeting Announcement! Building for Better Decisions: Multi-Scale Integration of Human Health and Environmental Data
US EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
May 8–11, 2012
An open, international conference, which will provide a unique opportunity to convene scientists from different sectors (government, academia, private) across the exposure-dose-response continuum for both ecological and health endpoints, and from other communities (e.g., clinical/biomedical informatics, defense, intelligence).
Topics of discussion will include data interoperability, data integration, data management, and model interface needs with software developers, software engineers, database architects and administrators, and data analysts. Experts from these arenas will be brought together to discuss and explore these types of data requirements that are becoming increasingly critical for computational modeling, research, and regulatory decision-making. Technology and design issues that transcend disciplines and that could exercise the science and organizational infrastructure required to ensure both the success and transparency of these scientific endeavors and data integration will be examined. Ultimately this exchange of information between scientists across multiple disciplines will inform how to advance applications of toxicological data in future risk assessment endeavors and ensure interoperability of approaches and data across the public and private sectors.
A poster reception will afford the opportunity to highlight research advances on integrated modeling in various disciplines. The abstract submission deadline is Friday, February 24, 2012, and notifications will be sent out by March 23, 2012.
For complete information on this CCT meeting, visit the Building for Better Decisions section of the SOT website.
To achieve the SOT Strategic Objective of providing tools and resources to members that will enhance their professional and scientific development, as well as continually expand the opportunities and forums for members to engage in the exchange of ideas and information relevant to toxicology, the SOT conducts CCT Meetings. For additional information, please visit the CCT Meetings page.
SOT sponsors two types of meetings outside of the SOT Annual Meeting: Contemporary Concepts in Toxicology (CCT) meetings and Non-SOT meetings.
CCT meetings are one-to two-day focused, open registration, scientific meetings in contemporary and rapidly progressing areas of toxicological sciences. Non-SOT meetings are sponsored by other not-for-profit organizations and SOT will either endorse or provide sponsorship money to toxicology-related meetings. |
| Legislative and Regulatory Update |
Rep. Biggert Receives SOT 2011 Congressional Science Leadership Award
|
(L to R) Dr. Cook, Rep. Biggert,
Ms. Lamb, and Dr.Gray |
Jon C. Cook, SOT 2011–2012 President, George M. Gray, SOT Communications Committee Chair, and SOT Executive Director Shawn Douglas Lamb presented Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) with the 2011 Congressional Science Leadership Award for her leadership in sponsoring and supporting legislation that recognizes the importance of science as the basis for sound decision making. She has been a consistent force in advancing women’s health research, in strengthening our science research facilities including Argonne Laboratory, and in supporting legislation that provides adequate research funding for government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, working to find cures for various diseases.
The SOT Issue Statement Process Established
During 2010, SOT Council initiated a process to determine if the Society could develop Issue Statements (ISs) that are short balanced presentations of the science and related issues underlying an area of relevance to SOT and the field of toxicology. These ISs are intended for policymakers, the media, and the general public. SOT Council spent a year developing the new IS process following an established deliberative approach that included gathering data and feedback from key stakeholders (individual members and key component groups). In the fall of 2010, Council reviewed proposals for the first IS topic that were received from individual members and Specialty Sections. Council approved a topic and a writing team to draft an IS on the Gulf Oil Spill. Although preparing the IS took longer than expected, the writing team and SOT Council worked hand-in-hand to facilitate the process and ensure the quality of the IS. The Gulf Oil Spill IS is posted on the Issue Statements page.
SOT Council is encouraged by the process and outcome of this inaugural effort. Following the completion of this first IS, Council enumerated key lessons learned, which will improve future ISs. Interested SOT members, Specialty Sections, and other SOT component groups are encouraged to submit to Council additional relevant and current topics for consideration. To learn more about the process and development of an IS, view the IS procedure information.
SOT Nominates Eight SOT Members for US FDA Tobacco Panel
On November 1, 2011, SOT Council selected eight members as nominees for the US Food and Drug Administration’s (US FDA) Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee, Center for Tobacco Products from a pool of 14 candidates. The nominees were selected on the basis of their technical expertise and experience with advisory panels. The Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee reviews and evaluates safety, dependence, and health issues associated with tobacco products and provides advice, information, and recommendations to the US FDA Commissioner. The nominees include: Brian J. Day, National Jewish Health Department of Medicine; Bruce A. Fowler, ICF International; Joseph R. Landolph Jr., University of Southern California; Mark S. Miller, Wake Forest School of Medicine; John B. Morris, University of Connecticut; Arthur Penn, Louisiana State University; Charles Vincent Smith, Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Institute; Laura S. Van Winkler, University of California, Davis. Following the submission of these nominees, the US FDA will undertake an extensive process to evaluate candidates and nominees who are selected for membership on the Committee. The selected appointees will receive notification directly from the US FDA.
SOT Sends Nominees to ATSDR for Final Selection Process
Following the submission of fourteen nominees for the Board of Scientific Counselors, National Center for Environmental Health, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a subcommittee of SOT Council reviewed and selected the following SOT members for final consideration by the agency: Roberta L. Grant, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Steven David Holladay, University of Georgia; Daland R. Juberg, Dow AgroSciences; Daniel W. Nebert, University of Cincinnati Medical Center; Larry W. Robertson, University of Iowa, Anthony R. Scialli, Tetra Tech Sciences; MaryJane K. Selgrade, ICF International; and Peter S. Spencer, Oregon Health and Sciences University. SOT has been advised by officials at the ATSDR that the review process for the Board will begin shortly and will take approximately six months to complete. Notification of the final nominees will be made by the Agency to those nominees that have been selected for membership on the Board.
| Position Advertisement(s) |
Head of Genotoxicity
This position has the responsibility to oversee the Genotoxicity Department at Pharmaron’s Preclinical Service Laboratory, Beijing, P.R. China. The intended title may be from manager to director depending on the merits of the candidate.
Responsibilities
- Provides leadership and management of the Genotoxicity Department
- Designs and reviews study protocols
- Oversees study activities and ensures proper study conduct
- Solves study-related issues
- Interprets study data and reviews study reports
- Interacts with sponsors
Requirements
A PhD or MS in toxicology, pharmacology or other affiliated fields. A minimum of three years of direct experience in the conduct of genotoxicity studies (in vivo and in vitro) is required. Demonstrated management/leadership experience is essential. Must have CRO and/or pharmaceutical experience.
Contact
Pharmaron
Preclinical Services Laboratory
(formerly Bridge Laboratories China Facility)
32 Kexue Yuan Road
Zhongguancun Life Science Park
Changping District, Beijing 102206
P. R. China
Email: recruitment.pcs@pharmaron-bj.com
Senior Executive Opportunity: Associate Director for Health
US EPA’s Office of Research and Development is seeking a senior executive and scientific leader for the position of Associate Director for Health of the National Health and Environmental Effects Laboratory (NHEERL) in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. NHEERL is the Agency’s focal point for scientific research on the effects of contaminants and environmental stressors on human health and ecosystems integrity. As the senior executive in charge of all health research activities for NHEERL, the Associate Director for Health provides strategic vision and innovative leadership for the health research program.
Who We Are Looking for?
An inspirational leader and science innovator who
- is experienced with project-based research,
- has evidence of leadership of a broad research program,
- has the ability to reach out within the
scientific community and beyond to facilitate collaborative opportunities, and
- is a sound decisionmaker
Major Responsibilities of the NHEERL Associate Director for Health
- Provides innovative scientific leadership, counsel, and managerial oversight for NHEERL’s health effects research on topics ranging from the molecular and celluar levels to populations
- Leads 300+ scientific staff members within three research divisions and one research core unit located in Research Triangle Park and Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Oversees programs in toxicology, epidemiology, and clinical medicine and ensures their integration with ecology and ecosystems research conducted by NHEERL’s four ecology divisions
- Serves as the principal counselor for health research strategy and policy development to NHEERL’s Laboratory Director and as a member of the NHEERL Senior Management Team, hence sharing in the planning, management, and linking of science directives and topics into US EPA’s entire research and development enterprise
- Leads research tracks that address a wide range of problems, including taking Action on Climate Change, Improving Air Quality, Assuring the Safety of Chemicals, Cleaning Up Our Communities, Protecting America’s Waters, Expanding the Conversation on Environmentalism and Working for Environmental Justice, and Building Strong State and Tribal Partnerships
- Coordinates and helps build research collaborations within US EPA, as well as with other Federal and State government agencies, industry, academic institutions, and private organizations as a senior advisor, spokesperson, and effective communicator for the Agency in national and international forums
More information on NHEERL and this position is available on the US EPA website.
Salary and Benefits
This is a Title 42 position for which the present rate of basic pay is up to $200,000.
This position will be eligible for full benefits, including relocation, health and life insurance, retirement, and vacation and sick leave.
How To Apply
You may apply to the position by going to the USAJOBS® website. The announcement number is RTP-ORD-42-2012-0004 and it is open from November 4, 2011–January 9, 2012. Submit your application in accordance with the instructions shown on the job opportunity announcement; be alert to the announcement closing date and apply promptly to meet it. If you have any questions about this position, please contact Janice Brown via email or Tel: 919.541.0331.
Faculty Positions—Assistant/Associate/Full Professor
Regulatory Sciences/Safety Assessment/ Toxicology
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences announces an exciting new opportunity for tenure-earning faculty positions in Regulatory Sciences for those whose research is relevant to issues that advance the science of regulatory decision making. All areas of specialization related to Regulatory Sciences will be considered, particularly emerging technologies and approaches for use in product safety assessment. These include, but are not limited to: the ‘omics; computational biology; bioinformatics; cell-based technologies; QSAR; integrated testing strategies and risk assessment methodologies; validation and regulatory acceptance of alternative testing methods; and safety assessment of nanomaterials. The positions arise from a recent Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Arkansas and the US FDA and its National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR). Collaborative research opportunities exist with toxicologists/pharmacologists/biochemists on the UAMS campus as well as at NCTR. A solid record or strong potential for extramural funding is an important qualification, as is a commitment to excellence in teaching and advising graduate students.
Candidates should submit an application letter, curriculum vitae, statement of research, and contact information for three references to:
Dr. Jay Gandy
Chair, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, AR 72205
Review of applications will continue until the positions are filled. UAMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
