Undergraduate Activities at the Virtual 2021 SOT Annual Meeting
The Society of Toxicology, the Committee on Diversity Initiatives (CDI), and the SOT Faculty United for Toxicology Undergraduate Recruitment and Education (FUTURE) Committee have organized the following activities to provide undergraduates with more information about toxicology, assist with career planning, and encourage networking with graduate students and toxicologists. Undergraduate students receive complimentary meeting registration by sending the meeting Registration Form and student ID to the SOT Registration Department.
Preregistration for the events below is closed.
Virtual Undergraduate Diversity Program participants are already registered for the Annual Meeting and their program schedule can be found here.
Saturday, March 13
2:30 PM to 3:45 PM (US EST, UTC -5)
Preregistration was required and is now closed.
What Is Toxicology and Why Should I Care: Live Introduction to Toxicology Presentation and Q&A
Hosted by: Committee on Diversity Initiatives (CDI)
Endorser(s): Faculty United for Toxicology Undergraduate Recruitment and Education (FUTURE) Committee
Speaker: Marquea King, USDA, Beltsville, MD.
Students will learn about toxicology and careers related to the discipline. The session opens with a welcome, and then the presentation by Dr. King will introduce the students to the breadth and importance of toxicology. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding toxicology in general.
Saturday, March 20
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM (US EDT, UTC -4)
Preregistration was required and is now closed.
Ins and Outs of Graduate School in Toxicology: Insights into Admissions, Training, and Finding Success
Hosted by: Committee on Diversity Initiatives (CDI)
Endorser(s): Faculty United for Toxicology Undergraduate Recruitment and Education (FUTURE) Committee
This live session will provide students with the opportunity to meet and engage with experts on graduate study in toxicology in small discussion groups. Each will be moderated by a graduate student and a graduate program advisor. Students will learn tips about applying for and succeeding in graduate school, gain insights into admissions, and get answers to any questions they might have about toxicology graduate school and programs.
3:00 PM to 4:15 PM (US EDT, UTC -4)
Preregistration was required and is now closed.
Interactive Case Study for Undergraduate Students: Metal Levels in Whales from the Gulf of Maine: A One Environmental Health Approach
Hosted by: Committee on Diversity Initiatives (CDI)
Endorser(s): Faculty United for Toxicology Undergraduate Recruitment and Education (FUTURE) Committee
Facilitators: Mindy F. Reynolds, Washington College, Chesterton, MD; and John P. Wise Sr., University of Louisville, Louisville, KY.
Designed for undergraduates, this special introduction to environmental and ecotoxicology includes an opportunity to explore and interpret real data in small groups. After a brief presentation by Dr. Wise on research techniques and how sampling of whales is conducted, participants will analyze toxicology research data using the case study “Metal Levels in Whales from the Gulf of Maine: A One Environmental Health Approach,” led by Dr. Reynolds.
Wednesday, March 24
4:30 PM to 5:30 PM (US EDT, UTC -4)
Preregistration was required and is now closed.
Toxicology Career Roundtables
Hosted by: Faculty United for Toxicology Undergraduate Recruitment and Education (FUTURE) Committee
Endorser(s): Committee on Diversity Initiatives (CDI)
Undergraduate students will meet in small virtual discussion groups with SOT members who are employed in different areas of toxicology, learn what their career paths were like, and explore how these toxicologists manage work-life balance. Each group will meet with three toxicologists—one from academia, one from government, and one from industry or consulting. These toxicologists will describe what working in their employment sector is like and compare the different types of work. Students will gain insights into where they might find their best balance and how to use their interests and aptitudes in pursuing a career in toxicology.
Thursday, March 25
2:45 PM to 3:45 PM (US EDT, UTC -4)
Preregistration was required and is now closed.
Undergraduate Networking with Graduate Students
Hosted by: Faculty United for Toxicology Undergraduate Recruitment and Education (FUTURE) Committee
Endorser(s): Committee on Diversity Initiatives (CDI)
In this informal virtual session, undergraduates will network in small groups with peers and graduate students to learn more about graduate school and graduate student experiences. Each group of undergraduates will network sequentially with several teams of graduate students. Students can peer into their toxicology future by hearing directly from graduate students what graduate school is like.
As Scheduled
March 12–March 27
Time with Academic Program Directors: Graduate School Virtual Career Fair
Hosted by: Committee on Diversity Initiatives (CDI)
Endorser(s): Faculty United for Toxicology Undergraduate Recruitment and Education (FUTURE) Committee
Students will meet directly with representatives from specific academic toxicology programs to discuss the merits of each graduate program, the support available, and application requirements. The list of programs, including the contact information and availability of program directors and representatives to meet with students, is available here. To arrange a session, undergraduate students must contact the program representative by phone or email at least 48 hours before the desired time.
Check the program for other Virtual SOT Annual Meeting activities that are open to and of interest to undergraduate students. These do not require preregistration.
- Scientific Sessions and Posters
- Tox ShowDown: Monday, March 22, 4:30 pm–6:30 pm (US EDT, UTC -4)
- Regional Chapter, Special Interest Groups, and Specialty Section Meetings
Funding for this conference was made possible (in part) by 1R13 ES032741-01 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention by trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the US Government.