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Our chapter has begun 2009 on a successful note, with recognition given to publications by individual Chapter members at the National Meeting in Baltimore, and a well-attended reception (co-hosted by the Pacific Northwest Regional Chapter. I am personally honored to serve as our Chapter President, and must recognize the invaluable contributions to those who were elected and have volunteered to serve as our Officers, including our Past President George Clemens, Vice President Tao Wang, Vice-President Elect Karen Steinmetz, Secretary Kent Pinkerton, Treasurer Jeff Tepper, and our Councilors John Wisler and Amy Kim. Special kudos goes to our Postdoctoral Representative Zhiying Ji and our Student Representative and Web Liaison Heather Bolstad. Finally, former student and postdoctoral members Suzanne Brander (Associate Editor of our Newsletter) and Valerie Mitchell (invaluable substitute for me in our office) continue to volunteer their services in an ex officio capacity, proof positive of the interest and energy that the Chapter continues to generate among our membership. It is my personal commitment to continue this success during the next twelve months. The NorCal Chapter held their Spring Symposium on Target Organ Toxicity with an Emphasis on Hepatotoxicity on April 23, 2009, graciously hosted by Amgen in South San Francisco through the efforts of Councilor (and Amgen Director of Toxicology) John Wisler.The symposium was a huge success, with 133 attendees, including 7 wonderful speakers, 22 generous sponsors (a big thanks to Amgen for hosting the event and providing meals), and 27 students who presented 12 posters. All submitting posters received an award, with first place going to Christopher Carosino of the University of California, Davis. The NorCal Chapter’s Fall Symposium will be hosted by the State of California on October 8, 2009 at the Elihu Harris state office building in Oakland, California. The topics are (1) The Risks and Benefits of Nanoparticles and (2) Biological Equivalents in Predicting Toxic Doses to Humans. All eight of our speakers are confirmed and this promises to be an extremely relevant topic to those examining both the human health impacts of nanotechnology and the relationship between observed toxic effects and human tissue distribution of intentionally (pharmaceuticals) or unintentionally (environmental exposures) administered agents. On a final note, even in these economically distressed times there continues to be employment opportunities for young toxicologists beginning their careers. My own Office of Human and Ecological Risk is presently offering three positions at the staff level, with at least four more expected in the coming months. I recall (we won’t say how many years ago) my experience as a postdoctoral fellow at Temple University looking for employment, and all of us in our chapter are gratified that we can provide help to those who choose toxicology as their career. Hoping for more good news in the future. Stephen M. DiZio
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