President’s Message
I hope all of you are having a wonderful 2025! The Midwest Regional Chapter of the Society of Toxicology (MRC/SOT) has continued its mission to support and engage toxicologists across our region.
In March, we were pleased to collaborate with the SOT Ohio Valley Regional Chapter for a joint mixer at the 2025 Society of Toxicology Meeting, strengthening connections within our wider community.
Our 2025 Annual Spring Meeting on “Endocrine Disruptors” was held on May 22 at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, IL. Jodi Flaws and her team at the University of Illinois were a huge help in acquiring the space and resources for the meeting. We were thrilled to have over 75 registrants, an outstanding turnout! The meeting featured excellent scientific presentations:
- Dr. Lori Raetzman discussed “The Impact of Phthalates on Female Reproductive Aging: A Role for Inflammation.”
- Dr. Sathish Kumar presented on “PFAS as Endocrine Disruptor in Pregnancy: Linking Hormonal Dysregulation, Metabolic Dysfunction, and Hypertensive Pathways.”
- Dr. Ritwik Shukla shared insights on “Long-Term Dietary Exposure of Mice to a Mixture of Phthalates Causes Dysregulation of Estrogen Receptor Signaling and Leads to Endometrial Hyperplasia.”
We also hosted a lively poster session, enjoyed a meal together, engaged in tox trivia, and celebrated our award recipients. This success was made possible by the dedication of the MRC/SOT Program Committee and the active participation of our members.
Looking ahead, please mark your calendars for our upcoming Fall MRC/SOT Meeting, scheduled for October 10, 2025, at Loyola University Chicago’s Water Tower Campus on Michigan Avenue. More details will follow soon—we encourage all members, especially trainees, to participate!
On behalf of the MRC/SOT Executive Committee, thank you for your continued enthusiasm and engagement. Your ideas and support fuel our progress. Please join me in welcoming our new 2025–2026 Executive Committee, and I wish everyone a fun and productive fall season!
Sincerely,
Keegan Baldauf, PhD, DABT
MRC/SOT President 2025–2026