President’s Message

Dear MRC/SOT Members,

I hope all of you are having a fantastic 2023 so far! MRC/SOT has been busy this year finding ways to support and engage toxicologists at all levels in our region—highlights include:

  • Collaborating with our friends at Midwest SETAC to present a webinar entitled, “Toxicological Risk Assessment—Environmental and Human Health Perspectives”, which had approximately 90 registrants, bringing together toxicologists involved with Midwest SETAC, MRC/SOT, as well as the broader SETAC and SOT communities.
  • Participation in the National SOT Meeting in March, which included presenting a poster with information on MRC/SOT and hosting a networking breakfast for toxicologists in our region and beyond.
  • A successful second year of the MRC/SOT Mentoring Program, which culminated with an in-person mentoring session at the networking breakfast in Nashville.
  • Encouraging trainee involvement with our chapter by continuing to waive all student and postdoc membership dues as well as student and postdoc Spring Meeting registration fees.
  • Welcoming our incoming new 2023-2024 MRC/SOT Executive Committee Members!
  • Hosting a successful Spring Meeting entitled, “Emerging Trends in Gene Therapy”. We heard fantastic presentations from Dr. Almudena Veiga-Lopez and Dr. Muhammad Zeeshan Afzal, as well as our 2022 Young Investigator Award winner, Vicki Mourikes. A student poster session was held, with Sana Iqbal winning the Victor A. Drill Award for best poster! We finished out the day by presenting our 2023 Awards and by playing a fun round of tox trivia. Thank you to the MRC/SOT Program Committee for organizing the meeting, and to all attendees for joining us!

On behalf of the MRC/SOT Executive Committee, I would like to thank you for your continued support and interest in our regional chapter. As always, we welcome any of your suggestions on improving how MRC/SOT enriches your experiences in toxicology at the regional level. Please join me in welcoming our new 2023–2024 MRC/SOT Executive Committee, and I hope everyone has a great summer!

Kind regards,
Tracy Henriques, PhD, DABT
MRC/SOT President 2023–2024