1. 

Akiko Enomoto, Ken Itoh, Eiko Nagayoshi, Junko Haruta, Toyoe Kimura, Tania O’Connor, Takanori Harada, Masayuki Yamamoto

High Sensitivity of Nrf2 Knockout Mice to Acetaminophen Hepatotoxicity Associated with Decreased Expression of ARE-Regulated Drug Metabolizing Enzymes and Antioxidant Genes

Toxicol Sci Jan 01, 2001; 59: 169–177.
(In Systems Toxicology) 

2. 

Eve Mylchreest, Russell C. Cattley, Paul M. D. Foster

Male Reproductive Tract Malformations in Rats Following Gestational and Lactational Exposure to Di(n-butyl) Phthalate: An Antiandrogenic Mechanism?

Toxicol Sci May 01, 1998; 43: 47–60.
(In Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology)  

3. 

Louise G. Parks, Joe S. Ostby, Christy R. Lambright, Barbara D. Abbott, Gary R. Klinefelter, Norman J. Barlow, L. Earl Gray

The Plasticizer Diethylhexyl Phthalate Induces Malformations by Decreasing Fetal Testosterone Synthesis during Sexual Differentiation in the Male Rat

Toxicol Sci Dec 01, 2000; 58: 339–349.
(In Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology)  

4. 

Hisham K. Hamadeh, Pierre R. Bushel, Supriya Jayadev, Karla Martin, Olimpia DiSorbo, Stella Sieber, Lee Bennett, Raymond Tennant, Raymond Stoll, J. Carl Barrett, Kerry Blanchard, Richard S. Paules, Cynthia A. Afshari

Gene Expression Analysis Reveals Chemical-Specific Profiles

Toxicol Sci Jun 01, 2002; 67: 219–231.
(In Molecular and Genetic Toxicology)  

5. 

L. Earl Gray, Joseph Ostby, Johnathan Furr, Matthew Price, D. N. Rao Veeramachaneni, Louise Parks

Perinatal Exposure to the Phthalates DEHP, BBP, and DINP, but Not DEP, DMP, or DOTP, Alters Sexual Differentiation of the Male Rat

Toxicol Sci Dec 01, 2000; 58: 350–365.
(In Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology)  

Distinguished Toxicology Scholar Award Recipient Narahashi Presents Historic Overview of Neurotoxicology

Toshio Narahashi will present the Distinguished Toxicology Scholar Award Lecture: “Half a Century of Progress in Neurotoxicology: Past, Present, and Future" on Tuesday, March 18 from 12:30 PM–1:20 PM in Ballroom 6B. Dr. Narahashi is the John Evans Professor of Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. Since the 1950s his discoveries have elucidated the mode of action of important toxicants that impact human lives across the globe. Dr. Narahashi has been considered as the person responsible for driving the field of the effects of chemicals on excitable cell membrane function. Some of his publications are listed as Citation Classics. His studies have added immeasurably to our understanding of basic neuronal physiology and the action of a variety of neurotoxicants and drugs on axonal and junctional physiology. He is respected around the world and has received numerous honors.

Get a Head Start on Planning Your Annual Meeting Activities—Rely on On-Line Itinerary Planner and Other Innovations

The SOT Annual Meeting on-line Itinerary Planner and user-friendly programs provide the assistance you need in making the most of your time at the 2008 SOT Annual Meeting. Available on-line January–April 2008, you can search for sessions of particular interest to you. The Itinerary Planner will help to facilitate determining your activities at the largest toxicology meeting in the world. Also, Page 2 of the Annual Meeting Program provides an overview of the Program publication layout and a scientific session reference to assist you in maximizing your attendance. Remember that the sessions tracked under the thematic approach are color-coded in the Program Overview and include the following:

• Developmental Basis of Disease
• Nanotechnology
• Oxidative Signaling and Redox Biology
• Stem Cell and Toxicology
• Career Development

SOT members in the U.S. and Canada and non-member registrants who registered by the January 25, 2008, deadline also will receive the Program and CD-ROM of The Toxicologist prior to the meeting in late February. International non-members who registered after the January 25, 2008, Annual Meeting deadline may pick up these materials at the Annual Meeting. International members can request a copy of the Itinerary Planner CD-ROM by sending an e-mail to SOT Headquarters. It will be mailed after the meeting.

Back By Popular Demand—Soapbox Session

Controversy and excitement may best describe this repeat Soapbox Session appearing at the upcoming Annual Meeting in Seattle. This session will take place on Wednesday, March 19 from 12:00 Noon to 1:20 PM in the South Lobby, Level 4 of the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.

The Soapbox will provide meeting attendees with an opportunity to speak unimpeded for 10 minutes on a topic of professional interest to toxicologists, and engage in a brief question-and-answer period. If this sounds like something that would interest you, please consider submitting an abstract to participate.

Your topic should be of professional interest or concern, or be related to an issue that has arisen during the meeting. The top ranked topics will be novel, controversial, contrary, and/or unpopular and will represent ideas, views, and concerns of toxicological interest.

E-mail your topic title, name of presenter (with contact e-mail), affiliation, and a brief summary abstract to session chairpersons Harvey Clewell, John Morris, or Hollie Swanson no later than Noon on Tuesday, March 18th.

You can send the e-mail before the meeting or during the meeting (if you don’t have your laptop, visit the Internet E-mail Center located on Level 6). All applicants will be notified of proposal approval or non-approval by 6:00 PM Tuesday via the submitted contact e-mail, as well as through the Annual Meeting E-mail Center.

We expect a very lively session, so please plan to attend, or better yet, contribute a topic and step up onto the Soapbox.

Special 2008 Session Announced on NAS Report on the Future of Toxicology and the Impact on SOT

This special session has been organized by the 2008 Program Committee to introduce SOT members to the 2007 National Research Council reports from the National Academy of Sciences addressing key issues impacting our Society and profession today. This session will be held on Thursday, March 20, 7:30 AM–8:50 AM in Ballroom 6B. Endorsed by the SOT Presidential Chain, this session will open dialogue on the contents of the reports and their implications for the future of Toxicology. The Chairpersons are Gerald N. Wogan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, and Cheryl L. Walker, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX.

Following an introduction by the Session Chairs, there will be presentations from the Chairs of the Committees drafting the three featured reports, with a facilitated discussion to follow. The reports to be highlighted are as follows: Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and Strategy, Daniel Krewski, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Applications of Toxicogenomics Technologies to Predictive Toxicology and Risk Assessment, David Christiani, Harvard University, Boston, MA, and Models in Environmental Regulatory Decision Making, Chris Whipple, ENVIRON Corporation, Emeryville, CA.

NIH Grant Enhancements Outlined by CSR Director Scarpa at 2008 Annual Meeting

A February 20, 2008 letter to SOT from NIH Center for Scientific Review (CSR) Director Dr. Antonio Scarpa and National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences Acting Director Samuel Wilson announces the creation of a new Systemic Injury by Environmental Exposure (SIEE) Special Emphasis Panel (SEP). The creation of the SIEE SEP was a cooperative effort between the CSR and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). SIEE will be a temporary standing SEP and is a pilot review program. SIEE reviews will begin with applications submitted in June 2008 and will continue for three review cycles into 2009.

In 2002, the CSR completed an NIH-wide restructuring of Integrated Review Groups and Study Sections to make the review system more organ- and disease-centered. This resulted in the elimination of 2 toxicology study sections. For the past five plus years, SOT has been involved in discussions with NIH leadership to resolve this issue. This year, SOT representatives continued meetings with CSR leadership in Bethesda and SOT member representatives attended all six CSR-NIH Open House Workshops from March 2–December 28, 2007. This input contributed significantly to this favorable response of CSR and creation of the new SIEE SEP.

An evaluation of the SIEE SEP pilot will include analyses of review outcomes and of reviewers’ input. The CSR emphasizes that this is a pilot, and that there is no guarantee or expectation that SIEE will transition into a permanent study section. As SOT President George Corcoran noted in his message in this issue, "For SIEE to be viable for conversion to a standing Study Section, it is imperative for toxicologists to request that their qualifying grants be assigned to this SEP." Small numbers of reviewed grant applications and poor review performance would pose significant barriers to success.

Dr. Antonio Scarpa will be a featured speaker at our Seattle meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 1:30 PM–2:30 PM in Room 3A. SOT President George Corcoran will serve as the Chair for this late-breaking session that will be of considerable interest to SOT Members seeking NIH funding. Dr. Scarpa will describe broad Enhancements in the Review of NIH Grant Applications. He will specifically describe the new Systemic Injury by Environmental Exposure (SIEE) Special Emphasis Panel (SEP) under the existing Digestive Sciences Integrative Review Group (IRG). The SIEE SEP will provide for the review of a broad range of toxicology grant proposals by toxicologists. The session will also offer an opportunity for questions and answers.

The SIEE SEP will review applications related to the pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms whereby xenobiotics (including toxicants, alcohol, drugs, biopharmaceuticals, phytochemicals and other non-drug chemicals) affect distinct organ systems, other than the digestive and nervous systems, including cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, hematopoietic, renal, respiratory/pulmonary, immune, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Other covered areas are skin, oral, dental and craniofacial tissues, pregnancy and development. Applications addressing the effects of xenobiotics at the multi-organ level may also be considered. Visit the CSR Web site to learn more, including the role of the SIEE SEP within the Digestive Sciences Integrative Review Group.

Are You Interested in Ocular Toxicology?—Plan to Attend SS Organizing Meeting

Are you interested in learning about a proposed new Specialty Section (SS) for Ocular Toxicology? All SOT members are invited to an organizational reception held in conjunction with the SOT Annual Meeting. This event will be held from 5:30 PM–6:30 PM on Monday, March 17, 2008, in the Capitol Hill Room of the Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers. Discussion will be focused on the formation of an organizational committee representing academia, government, industry, and the private sector to do the groundwork to establish this Specialty Section.

The objectives of this proposed Specialty Section would be to promote an exchange of information among academic, clinical, and preclinical researchers in ocular toxicology, including:

• To provide a forum for the interaction of toxicologists and other professionals involved in ocular toxicity/toxicology studies;
• To advocate the development of sound science-based guidelines for ocular assessment of therapeutics and update, as needed, guidelines for ocular irritancy assessment;
• To organize educational programs that emphasize new developments and issues in ocular toxicology; and
• To provide a liaison with other professional organizations such as the International Society of Ocular Toxicology and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Exchange of information would be promoted through annual business meetings, sponsorship of sessions/workshops for the Annual Meeting, and liaisons with other professional organizations. Communications would be facilitated by use of the Internet. Student awards would be provided to encourage new scientists in the field of ocular toxicology. For further information, please contact Margaret Wills or Mark Vezina.

Notice to All Students: SAC Provides Activity Planner on SOT Web Site

I am writing on behalf of the Student Advisory Council (SAC) to help raise awareness of the numerous events organized especially for students at the SOT Annual Meeting. If this is your first year at the Annual Meeting, or for a full listing of student events at the meeting, please download and print The Student Planner from the SOT Web site under Education/Graduate Students. The Student Planner offers several tips to being productive at the meeting and includes a listing of events with maps to help navigate the SOT Annual Meeting successfully.

On Sunday night, please make sure to attend the Student/Postdoctoral Mixer at 7:30 PM in Grand Ballroom C of the Sheraton Hotel. The Mixer is a great opportunity to network with fellow students, look into Specialty Sections, get some free food, and even have a chance to win some free stuff. This year we will be have a drawing for SOT portfolios, Barnes & Noble gift cards, Starbucks gift cards, and 2 iPod shuffles. Get the event ticket by signing up when you register for the meeting; the entry form for the drawing is in the Annual Meeting Planner.

In addition, I strongly encourage you to sign up immediately for the Lunch with an Expert program located on-site at the Student/Postdoctoral Mixer.

You are matched with an Expert in your field of interest, and you network on a more personal level during a meal.

Students are also invited to register for the In Vitro Toxicology Lecture for Students on Monday, March 17. This year’s luncheon will feature a lecture from Dr. Yvonne Will from Pfizer, Inc. Register for this when registering for the Annual Meeting.

In addition, there are several roundtable and seminar sessions that are designed to help students in their development as a toxicologist. These sessions are spread throughout the week. I encourage you to look up these sessions and plan to attend as many as possible. They can be found in the Preliminary Program and on-line in the section entitled: Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Events.

Thank you and I hope you have a successful and fun SOT Annual Meeting.

Graduate Fellowship Finalists Announced

Four students will be interviewed by Awards Committee members at the SOT Annual Meeting. One will be selected to receive the Novartis Graduate Fellowship. The finalists are Helen Badham, Queen’s University; Julie Moreno, Colorado State University; AnnMarie Ramkissoon, University of Toronto; and Lu Wang, University of Mississippi. The name of the recipient will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on Sunday, March 16.

2008 Graduate Travel Support Recipients

SOT provides Graduate Travel Support to help young investigators attend the Society’s Annual Meeting. To qualify for these awards, a graduate student must be presenting an abstract at the Annual Meeting and be an SOT Member (or pending member). The student recipient receives a check for travel expenses to the meeting. Funding was also provided by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and Merck.

is Coming to SOT!

This year’s Committee on K–12 Education Paracelsus Goes to the Classroom outreach event is a student symposium involving middle and high school students from around Washington State. Eight teachers and 150 students are working with 16 toxicologist mentors to prepare presentations for the Toxicologists Educating and Mentoring Students (TEAMS) symposium. The symposium will be held by videoconference on Tuesday, March 18, hosted at the SOT Annual Meeting in Seattle. Students have selected topics related to issues in health and environmental health and have researched the role that toxicology plays in identifying, characterizing and solving such issues. Each student team will present their project by videoconference to a panel of SOT members who will be at the Hyatt, and to the other participating schools linked by the videoconference. The SOT panel will provide feedback on each student presentations, and the other viewers can ask questions. Drop by the Hyatt Anderson Amphitheater from 8:30 AM–11:30 AM on Tuesday to be part of the action. In addition, some students will record their presentations and these will be available in a virtual poster session in the same room from 1:30 PM–4:30 PM that day. Please come and join the audience for these events if you are attending SOT this year.

You can also view the virtual poster session at the K–12 Resource area in the SOT Resource Pavilion, located in the Skybridge between the two ToxExpo Halls. You can look at high quality materials that are easy for toxicologists to take into the classroom and learn about exemplary materials related to toxicology that are used in teacher training by the Northwest Association of Biomedical Research. Students from the Seattle area will present their work related to toxicology and environmental health. Plan to spend some time in this area, which will be an intersection for all meeting attendees and the location for viewing the many resources available through SOT.

Undergraduates are Special Guests at the Seattle Meeting

The Committee on Diversity Initiatives has organized the 19th Undergraduate Education Program for the Seattle SOT Annual Meeting. Forty-six undergraduate students and nine undergraduate faculty advisors will be participating in the special program that begins Saturday, March 15 and concludes on Monday, March 17. Students are organized into small groups hosted by a scientist mentor and a graduate student peer mentor. These groups provide important interaction and the opportunity for the students to get a close look at why toxicologists have chosen this discipline and a chance to ask specific questions. The students visit a special selection of posters on Monday and panelists explain what it is like to work in different employment sectors. Travel and program costs for these students are funded by NIH-MARC T36 GM08397-12, the Society of Toxicology, and corporate sponsors.

The Sunday portion of the event is open to any undergraduate registered for the meeting. The schedule that day includes topical toxicology lectures, discussion of what graduate school is like, and the opportunity to meet with representatives from graduate programs and internship hosts.

Teach Undergraduate Toxicology?

The Education Committee is hosting the Undergraduate Toxicology Faculty Meeting Monday, March 17 from 3:30 PM–4:30 PM, Room 201, for all faculty involved in the teaching of toxicology to undergraduates, or for those interested in including toxicology at the undergraduate level.

The Education Committee held a focus group last fall for input on prioritizing initiatives relative to undergraduate instruction. Participating undergraduate faculty were Teresa Dodd-Butera, San Diego State University, Vanessa Fitsanakis, King College, Sue Ford, St. John’s University, Deke Gundersen, Pacific University, Steven Mercurio, Minnesota State University, Perpetua Muganda, North Carolina A&T University, Elissa Purnell, Savannah State University, and Joan Tarloff, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Education Committee members Aaron Barchowsky and Steven Gilbert facilitated the discussion.

The committee is now considering the recommendations from this group relative to the emerging initiatives from SOT long range planning. Some of the ideas include establishing a subcommittee for undergraduate education, providing support for faculty, including increasing undergraduate research opportunities and developing curricular resources, and increasing communication among these SOT members. Attend to hear about these ideas, provide your input, and network.

Postdoctoral Assembly Highlights

Postdoctoral fellows attending the Seattle SOT meeting will not want to miss these events:

Student/Postdoctoral Mixer, Sunday, 7:30 PM–8:30 PM, Sheraton Grand Ballroom C

Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Job Interviewing Session for Early-Career Scientists—Roundtable Session—Monday, 4:30 PM–5:50 PM, Room 605

This session was organized by the Postdoctoral Assembly, with Kristen Mitchell and Nick Radio as chairs.

Postdoctoral Fellow Luncheon, Tuesday, 12:00 Noon–1:15 PM, Room 3A. Pre-registration is required for this event.

The PDA is pleased to be endorsing additional seminars and workshops related to professional development at the meeting, so be sure to look for other sessions of interest in the Career Track. Finally, if you’re approaching the end of your tenure as a postdoc, you won’t want to miss out on the resources provided through the Career Resource and Development Job Bank.

2008 SOT Annual Meeting
Postdoctoral Events Calendar

The Postdoctoral Assembly (PDA) Board is excited about the events at the 2008 SOT Annual Meeting! There are quite a few receptions, sessions, and events at this year’s meeting that may be of interest to postdocs. Did you know that you can plan and organize your schedule in the “2008 Toxicologist" itinerary manager? For more information see the Itinerary Planner. In the meantime, we’ve outlined below some of the events that might be of particular interest to postdocs. (Details for each event are located on the Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Events page on the Annual Meeting site)

We especially urge you to attend the informational session entitled “Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Job Interviewing Workshop for Early-Career Scientists." This session was developed based on results from the PDA’s 2007 online survey in which SOT postdocs (you!) expressed an interest in having more seminars and workshops at the annual meeting that were geared towards professional development. Postdocs Kristen Mitchell and Nick Radio will chair this session, and they have incorporated into the schedule some extra time for audience participation, including mock interviews and skits. We hope to see you there!

Sunday, March 16

Awards Ceremony
5:15 PM–6:30 PM
Ballroom 6A

SOT Welcoming Reception
6:30 PM–7:30 PM
Exhibit Hall 4F

SAC/PDA Student/Postdoctoral Mixer
7:30 PM–8:30 PM, Grand Ballroom C
Badges and tickets required.

Monday, March 17

The Future of Toxicology
Roundtable Session
12:15 PM Noon–1:30 PM
Room 602

Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Job Interviewing Session for Early-Career Scientists
Informational Session
4:30 PM–5:50 PM
Room 605

Tuesday, March 18

Professional Career Development as a Toxicologist
Informational Session
9:00 AM–11:45 AM
Room 602

Postdoctoral Assembly Luncheon
Tickets required. Pre-registration is required for this event, as seating is limited.
12:00 PM Noon–1:15 PM
Convention Center Room 3A

Wednesday, March 19

Cross Cultural Understanding of Asian and Western Cultural Values in the Workplace
Informational Session
7:30 AM–8:50 AM
Room 602

Toxicology Training Needs: New Faces and New Tools for the 21st Century
Roundtable Session
7:30 AM–8:50 AM
Room 608

Mentoring 101—How to Mentor, How to be Mentored
Informational Session
12:00 PM Noon–1:20 PM
Room 615

NIEHS Outstanding New Environmental Scientists (ONES) Awardees
Informational Session
4:30 PM–5:50 PM
Room 6C

Other programs of interest:

• Lunch with an Expert: This is an excellent opportunity to meet established scientists and ask candid questions about life as a toxicologist. If you’re interested, sign up for Lunch with an Expert in advance.
• SOT Room Sharing Program: Cut costs! Share a room with a colleague. This program is a service offered by SOT, designed to identify roommates for the annual meeting. Visit the Room Sharing Program page on the Annual Meeting site to learn more or to take advantage of this program.
• SOT Carpooling Program: Need a ride to the annual meeting? The PDA Board started this initiative last year to provide inexpensive transportation to and from the annual meeting in Charlotte. Register for SOT Carpooling Program at the 2008 Seattle meeting.
• CRAD Job Bank: The SOT Career Resource and Development Committee (CRAD) simplifies your job search by linking you with potential employers. You can post your resume and search for positions through the online job service (CRAD Job Bank), which has been redesigned this year for even easier use. You also have the opportunity to meet with potential employers at the Annual Meeting. Be sure to bring copies of your resume or CV with you.
• Volunteer: This is your chance to contribute to the Society! There are many ways to volunteer your time at the meeting while getting an opportunity to network with people of similar interests. For a listing of volunteer opportunities and to register go to the SOT Volunteer Form.

2009 Annual Meeting Proposal Deadline—April 30

The Annual Meeting in Seattle is a good time to work out the details for your session proposals for the 2009 Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, March 15-19. Proposals may be submitted on-line beginning March 10 with a deadline of April 30. The thematic approach will carry forward for the 2009 Annual Meeting and will highlight the following themes for proposal submissions—Biomarkers, Epigenetics, Inflammation and Disease, and Neurodegenerative Disease. Due to its timeliness, Nanotechnology will again be highlighted for this meeting.

New Submission Process

The SOT Program and Continuing Education Committees place great value on the contributions of Regional Chapters, Specialty Sections, Special Interest Groups (SS/SIGs), and SOT Committees in the preparation of high-quality proposals for sessions at the SOT Annual Meetings. For this reason, it should be noted that this year endorsements sought for proposals will have to be made directly to these groups prior to submission.

During the on-line submission process, all proposal submitters will be prompted to confirm that they have worked with the intended groups identified as session Sponsors or Endorsers for proposals. The primary endorsement sought for any proposal will be known and highlighted as the Sponsor for the proposal. All secondary endorsements will continue to be listed in the Annual Meeting publications as is presently done. Access to the proposal site for the review groups will begin April 15th, at which time the reviewer should log in to confirm that proposals submitted reflect that Sponsor or Endorsers input. The goal of this new emphasis ensures that all Annual Meeting proposals are of the highest scientific quality and maintain a balanced perspective on controversial issues.

We appreciate your support of this new process. These changes will increase the ability of the SS/SIGs to participate in the development of high-quality sessions in their area of interest and will be of great benefit to the scientific quality of the SOT Annual Meetings.

Session types are described below and more information is posted on-line on the SOT Web site under Forms and Applications.

Continuing Education

These proposals should emphasize quality presentations of generally accepted, state-of-the-art knowledge in toxicology. Courses are scheduled into a one-hour sunrise slot or a four-hour slot, either morning or afternoon. The four-hour courses have a chairperson and 3–4 speakers. Course levels are either basic, for a broad overview, or advanced, for individuals with previous knowledge of the subject.

Scientific Sessions

Symposia—Proposals for symposia should feature "cutting edge" science; new areas, concepts, or data in the forefront of toxicology. The session is three hours or less, with two chairpersons and 4–5 speakers.

Workshops—Proposals for workshops should be informal, interactive presentations that highlight state-of-the-art knowledge in toxicology with an emphasis on discussion. These sessions will last three hours or less, be chaired by at least two chairpersons, and have between 4–5 speakers.

Roundtables—Controversial topics are the basis of roundtable proposals. Each roundtable lasts about one and one-half hour. These are moderated discussions, with 2–4 speakers providing a 3–5 minute statement and the balance of the time for questions and discussion.

Historical Highlights—Proposals for a historical highlights session should be a review of a historical body of science that has impacted the field of toxicology, including the work of multiple laboratories and the resulting advancement of the science. The session should be about 90 minutes and can include a single or multiple speakers as appropriate.

Informational Sessions—These sessions are not based on the outcome of scientific research. These sessions should present the latest science in toxicology, or other learning opportunities that address the professional interests and needs of toxicologists in the areas of Career Development, General Information, and Planned Scientific Activities.

The informational session should last 80 minutes or less, or 165 minutes or less. The proposal submission must clearly indicate 80 or 165 minutes of requested presentation time. For sessions of 165 minutes, the submission should also provide a clear justification explaining why the extended time is warranted.

Innovations in Applied Toxicology and Toxicological Sciences—A limited number of symposia and/or workshops are designated Innovations in Toxicological Sciences (ITS) or Innovations in Applied Toxicology (IAT). ITS will introduce new technologies or scientific disciplines to the membership, and IAT will introduce innovative approaches in applied research.

Pre-Registered Attendees to Receive Badges Soon—Ribbons Should Have Arrived

Name badges will be mailed to all attendees pre-registered as of February 22. If you registered by this time and do not receive your badge by March 5, contact SOT Headquarters. In appreciation for serving on SOT Committees and as officers in the Regional Chapters, Specialty Sections, Special Interest Groups, and other SOT bodies, volunteers receive appropriate ribbon(s) to affix to the 2008 SOT Annual Meeting badges. Please check with the Registration Desk at the meeting if you do not receive the appropriate ribbon by mail.

Visit and Volunteer at the SOT Resource Pavilion and Receive a Gift

Please stop by the SOT Resource Pavilion and receive a gift in appreciation of your involvement with the Society. While you are in the Pavilion, you can meet with representatives for many SOT programs, activities, and services that will be of interest to you. The SOT Resource Pavilion will be conveniently located between the two expansive Exhibit Halls and the Skybridge of the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.

Please also consider volunteering at the Pavilion. Join with others demonstrating commitment to SOT and reaching out to SOT members and other meeting attendees who are interested in learning more about the Society. To volunteer, send an e-mail to SOT Headquarters.

Green Thinking Is Hallmark of Annual Meeting Program Materials

SOT attendees rely on the comprehensive meeting materials (Preliminary Program, Final Program, and The Toxicologist) developed to help attendees map out their strategy for effective participation in this well-respected and well-attended meeting. This year SOT has demonstrated its commitment to the environment by adhering to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in the production of the 2008 SOT Annual Meeting materials. The FSC standards, which are applied in 57 countries around the world, are acknowledged as the world’s strongest system for guiding forest management toward sustainable outcomes by organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation. Implementing this standard includes the selection of an FSC-certified printer and extends to the type of paper and ink used as well as reliance on computer-based negatives, reduced ink applications, and recycling protocols. But that is only a portion of the process that helps to sustain the environment and conserve resources.

SOT saved the following resources in printing the two 2008 Annual Meeting program publications: 67.2 trees preserved for the future, 47,600,000 BTUs energy not consumed, 6,218 lbs net greenhouse gases prevented, 28,544 gallons wastewater flow saved, 194.04 lbs waterborne waste not created, and 3,158 lbs solid waste not generated.

We know protecting the environment is important to SOT members and are pleased that the 2008 Annual Meeting materials bear the FSC certification on the back cover of each program. For additional information on FSC, go to the FSC Web site.

SOT Meeting Sited in One of "America’s Greenest States"—See You in Seattle

According to Forbes magazine, Washington holds the number 3 spot of America’s Greenest states, and Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment Web site showcases a number of initiatives in collaboration with city agencies, business groups, nonprofit organizations, and other partners to protect and enhance Seattle’s distinctive environmental quality and livability http://www.seattle.gov/environment.

In keeping with the green principles and practices of Seattle, the Washington State Convention and Trade Center (WSCTC), site of the 2008 SOT Annual Meeting, has developed environmental practices to conserve and recycle resources wherever possible.

The WSCTC’s comprehensive recycling program includes paper, wood, metal, and plastic products. As a result of these practices, WSCTC has recycled (as of December 2007):

• 174 tons of cardboard
• 2,460 lbs of aluminum cans or 79,200 individual soda cans
• 186 tons of mixed paper, plastic, and glass
• 12 tons of scrap metal
• 8,000 wooden pallets returned to shippers to be reused
• all spent fluorescent bulbs and ballasts
• all spent AA, AAA, and 9V batteries
• 3,328 gallons of kitchen grease, reused by a rendering plant
• 23,968 meals were sent to a local charity.

This demonstration of "green thinking" helps prevent events such as our large Annual Meeting from leaving a heavy environmental footprint, which is of great importance to members of SOT.

CRAD Job Bank Center Goes Green

Now Free Access to SOT Members

When you enter the Career Resource and Development (CRAD) On-Site Job Bank Center at the Washington Convention and Trade Center, Room 205, you will notice that the large poster boards, paper job descriptions, and envelopes for candidates to deposit resumes have been replaced with a nearly paperless system. The Center is completely electronic and reams of paper won’t be used, demonstrating SOT’s commitment to environmental stewardship and ease of use for registrants. All candidates and positions will be viewed on-line. And now, access to the on-line CRAD Job Bank and on-site Center is free to all SOT Members to view jobs and post resumes.

The Society’s on-line Job Bank makes it easy for candidates and employers alike to access this resource year-round, any time, any place via the SOT Web site, which has been updated to be more user-friendly. This forum links job candidates with employment positions in toxicology and related biological sciences. The SOT Job Bank allows you to:

• Register as an employer or candidate,
• Post employment positions,
• Search the Job Bank database,
• Contact candidates or employers.

The Center is available during the following hours of operation:

Employers recognize and appreciate that the Annual Meeting CRAD On-Site Job Bank Center services provide a convenient and cost-effective way to interview a pool of distinguished candidates. If you are a candidate attending the Annual Meeting, you should bring multiple copies of your resume for interested interviewers.

Employers are encouraged to visit the Job Bank Center to reserve interview rooms on a first-come, first served basis. For additional information, please contact Kristy Rand at SOT Headquarters: (703) 483-3115 ext. 1429.

2008 Annual Meeting Sponsors—Up–to–date list