President’s Message

Dear Colleagues, Friends, and Members of the Society of Toxicology,

It is a profound honor and privilege to serve as the President of the Arab Toxicologists Association (ATA) for the 2025–2026 term. As we open a new chapter filled with energy, collaboration, and purpose, I extend a warm welcome to all our current members and a heartfelt invitation to everyone at SOT to become part of this vibrant and growing organization.

The ATA is a vibrant Special Interest Group within SOT, formed to promote the advancement of toxicological sciences in the USA, Arab countries, and among Arab toxicologists worldwide. We proudly serve as a professional and cultural home for students, scientists, educators, and public health professionals who are committed to the advancement of toxicology and to building a healthier, more sustainable world.

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all previous ATA presidents and volunteer board members whose dedication, vision, and leadership have built the strong foundation we stand on today. Their tireless efforts have elevated our presence within SOT, expanded our network, and created opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and recognition. Thank you for your service—you have truly inspired the next generation of Arab toxicologists.

This year, we are excited to deepen our global engagement, highlight region-specific scientific contributions, and empower early-career scientists through expanded programming and professional development opportunities. We are especially proud of our ongoing efforts to build bridges between toxicologists working in the USA, Arab countries, and the broader global diaspora. Together, we are amplifying Arab toxicologists’ contributions to the field and fostering partnerships that cross disciplines and continents.

ATA will also continue its proud tradition of supporting graduate students and inspiring early-career toxicologists by providing travel awards and special recognition for outstanding SOT abstracts, impactful publications, and exceptional presentations at the SOT Annual Meeting. These awards not only celebrate scientific excellence but also strengthen the pipeline of future leaders in our field.

Our annual ATA Reception at the SOT Annual Meeting remains a joyful highlight of the year, a space where ideas are exchanged, connections are formed, and achievements are celebrated. Whether you are a long-standing member or exploring ATA for the first time, you will find an open, inspiring, and supportive community ready to welcome you.

Let us continue to share knowledge, lift one another up, and champion the contributions of Arab toxicologists everywhere. I look forward to serving you and working alongside each of you as we build a brighter and more impactful future for our profession.

Featured Members

Dr. Mohamed Ghorab

Dr. Mohamed Ghorab, has been named to the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) 40 Under 40 Recognition Program Award. This recognition was awarded to Dr. Ghorab in appreciation of his dedication to notable achievements in environmental science and engineering. He shares this honor with 22 colleagues, selected by a panel of previous award winners based on both professional accomplishments and civic/philanthropy efforts. Dr. Ghorab exemplifies the commitment to research and scientific excellence through his work on chemical safety, pollution prevention, risk assessment, and environmental health. Congratulations to Dr. Ghorab on being chosen for the 40 Under 40 Recognition Program's first class, embodying core values of leadership, innovation, and excellence.

Dr. Ghorab has been selected as Co-Chair for the National Institute of Health, Environmental Health Prospectives (EHP), Early and mid-career Career Researchers (ECR) for 2024-2025.

Publication: “Use of the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) Approach as an Alternative Tool for Regulatory Purposes: A Case Study with an Inert Ingredient Used in Pesticide Products.” View Paper

Summary:
This study marks a significant milestone as the first paper to apply the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) approach specifically to inert ingredients in pesticide formulations. We explored the use of the TTC approach as a New Approach Methodology (NAM), aligning with supporting the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (US EPA) mission to advance innovative methodologies in chemical safety evaluation efforts to reduce animal testing while ensuring human health protection. It also aligns with global initiatives to minimize animal testing and adopt more ethical, science-based methods while advancing innovative methodologies in chemical safety evaluations.

Our case study, focusing on α-terpineol, an inert ingredient in pesticide products, illustrates how the TTC approach can effectively replace traditional animal testing without compromising human health safety.

Publication: Shaohua Chen and Changqing Chang Shao-Fang Chen, Wen-Juan Chen, Haoran Song, Mingqiu Liu, Sandhya Mishra, Mohamed A. Ghorab (2024) “Microorganism-Driven 2,4-D Biodegradation: Current Status and Emerging Opportunities.” View Paper

Summary:
The herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has been widely used around the world in both agricultural and non-agricultural fields due to its high activity. However, the heavy use of 2,4-D has resulted in serious environmental contamination, posing a significant risk to non-target organisms, including human beings. This has raised substantial concerns regarding its impact. In addition to agricultural use, accidental spills of 2,4-D can pose serious threats to human health and the ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of prompt pollution remediation. Effectively replace traditional animal testing without compromising human health safety.