HOT

Events

Upcoming Events

Descripción General de la Caracterización de Riesgos para la Salud Humana

Organizado por: El Grupo de Interés Especial de la Organización Hispana de Toxicólogos de la SOT

Martes, 19 de Noviembre de 2024, 10:00 AM a 11:00 AM (Hora Estándar del Este de EE. UU., UTC -5)

For the first time, the SOT Hispanic Organization of Toxicologists (HOT) will present a webinar entirely in Spanish.

La Organización Hispana de Toxicólogos (HOT) se complace en presentar, por primera vez, un entrenamiento detallado de la caracterización del riesgo para la salud humana completamente en español. Este seminario web contará con la participación de dos toxicólogos de la Oficina de Investigación y Desarrollo de la EPA de los Estados Unidos. Para esta sesión, utilizarán el módulo del programa de Capacitación y Experiencia en Evaluación de Riesgos (RATE, por sus siglas en inglés). Estos módulos fueron desarrollados para equipar a los evaluadores de riesgos del Sistema Integrado de Información sobre Riesgos (IRIS) de la EPA de los EE. UU., tanto dentro como fuera de la Agencia, con los conocimientos científicos y habilidades esenciales.

La presentación guiará a los participantes a través de los cuatro pasos fundamentales de la evaluación de riesgos: identificación de peligros, evaluación de la relación dosis-respuesta, evaluación de la exposición, y un enfoque particular en la caracterización del riesgo. Después de la presentación, se llevará a cabo una sesión de preguntas y respuestas que brindará a los participantes la oportunidad de hacer preguntas y aclarar cualquier duda.

Presentadores:
Xabier Arzuaga, Toxicólogo, EPA de EE. UU.
Ingrid Druwe, PhD, Toxicóloga, EPA de EE. UU.

Se requiere inscripción para este seminario web gratuito.

Regístrate Ahora

The Successful Journey to Canada of Two Hispanic Toxicologists: Environmental and Occupational Perspectives

Hosted by: The SOT Hispanic Organization of Toxicologists Special Interest Group

Thursday, January 9, 2025, 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon (US EST, UTC -5)

Speakers:

Andres Henriquez, PhD, Researcher, Health Canada—Andres Henriquez is a Chilean toxicologist who earned a PhD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA, focusing on the impacts of inhaled air pollutants using in vivo models. Currently, Dr. Henriquez works at the Inhalation Toxicology Laboratory at Health Canada, where he investigates the interaction between inhaled materials, such as air pollutants, and diverse cellular models to better represent the pulmonary impacts of exposures.

Globally, communities exposed to poor air quality experience heightened human mortality and morbidity. Latin American countries and Hispanic/Latino populations are no exception. Despite significant efforts over the past decades to reduce air pollutant emissions, current levels generally exceed those recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

While observational studies consistently demonstrate associations between air pollution and various health effects, controlled experimental studies are crucial to evaluating the following: i) the relative toxicity of different air pollutants and mixtures, ii) the biological plausibility of epidemiological findings, and iii) the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of biological responses.

One key area of research in his laboratory focuses on integrating particle toxicity assessments to optimize the limited availability of environmental samples. An integrated screening platform was developed, incorporating measures of cell viability, metabolic activity, inflammatory signaling, gene expression, and oxidative stress within a single well of a 96-well plate. Responses were examined in two cell lines to multiple reference particles across various doses. The results revealed differences in response patterns depending on cell model, particle type, and dosage. Strong correlations for technical replicates, experimental repeats, and endpoints confirmed the robustness and reproducibility of the integrated assays.

In conclusion, miniaturizing and combining assays to assess biological responses enhances high-throughput screening, preserves valuable samples, and provides quantifiable endpoints linked to toxic potential.

Jairo Buitrago, Graduate Student, University of Montreal—Jairo Buitrago is a Colombian chemical engineer with 19 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. After gaining substantial expertise in occupational health and safety, he moved to Canada to further develop professional and technical skills. This journey led to the pursuit of a master’s degree in environmental and occupational health at the Université de Montréal. Following this achievement, Mr. Buitrago was accepted for accelerated entry into the PhD program in public health, specializing in toxicology and risk assessment.

His PhD project, titled "Biomonitoring of Exposure to Metal Components During Welding Activities in Montréal, Canada," focuses on identifying welders’ exposure to metals and metalloids through longitudinal biomonitoring across various biological matrices. This research is highly relevant in the fields of occupational and environmental health, particularly in assessing exposure to chemical contaminants. The project presents an innovative approach to biological monitoring by utilizing multiple matrices, making it applicable to other occupational settings and even the general population.

Apprentices from various welding schools in the Montréal area were recruited, and metal levels in biological matrices were monitored throughout their welding programs. Results demonstrated elevated metal concentrations in urine, hair, fingernails, and toenails when comparing pre-training levels (controls) with those measured at the conclusion of welding modules. Furthermore, a significant time-dependent increase in metal levels was observed across the biological matrices.

This research is particularly relevant to the Hispanic toxicologist community and other related disciplines, offering a novel approach to consistently monitoring occupational and population exposures. It provides valuable insights for forecasting and assessing potential health effects associated with these exposures.

Past Events

Publishing Your Research to Advance Your Scientific Career

Hosted by: SOT Out Toxicologists and Allies and Hispanic Organization of Toxicologists Special Interest Groups

Friday, June 14, 2024, 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM (US EDT, UTC -4)

This unique webinar is designed for scientists at all levels who wish to advance their careers. Publishing is a critical step on the road to career success—and this webinar will provide a step-by-step process for easily turning research data into publications. Participants will learn easy-to-use hands-on techniques that hundreds of scientists have used to successfully write up their research for prestigious journals. They will learn how to plan, structure, and organize a paper; how to prepare a manuscript for a peer-reviewed journal; where to submit their research in order to have it more likely accepted—and where not. In summary, they learn how to get papers written far more easily and submitted far more quickly—and how to leverage publishing as a reliable career-building strategy.
Participants from the Hispanic Organization of Toxicologists and The Postdoctoral Assembly will benefit by acquiring knowledge on how to publish their research. Particular emphasis will be placed on the needs of non-native English speakers.

Speakers:
Ofelia A. Olivero, PhD, ICF ACC Certified Coach, International Coach Federation
Lester Hoffman, PhD, ICF ACC Certified Coach, International Coach Federation

Authentically You: How to Embrace Your Identity in the Workplace

Hosted by: SOT Out Toxicologists and Allies and Hispanic Organization of Toxicologists Special Interest Groups

September 12, 2023, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM (US EDT, UTC -4)

Abstract:
The Society of Toxicology (SOT) has led new steps to boost the presence of uprising scientists in the interest of improving the visibility of minority groups. Trainees in particular need advice and allies as they attempt to explore and portray their best personal selves in the professional setting. The goal of this webinar is to coach trainees in embracing their identities and empowering others or themselves, so they are able to work at their best. The webinar will address the benefits of diversity in the workplace and how to communicate these benefits to colleagues and supervisors through hearing the expert advice of toxicologists with a variety of backgrounds.

Objectives: This webinar aims to navigate challenges faced by minority groups in the field of toxicology especially seen in the professional workplace, whether it be in their laboratory, societies, institutions, etc. The value of self-identification and the benefits of embracing various identities in the field will be shared. Communities within SOT, which include a wide range of Special Interest Groups, understand that assistance in the workplace not only reduces the possibility of microaggression and harassment but also fosters community and inclusivity aimed at empowering one another. Through this webinar, speakers will examine possible approaches to addressing the benefits of diversity and inclusion and the urgent need for welcoming spaces for minorities in the workplace while sharing their own experiences, with a focus on personal expression in a professional context. The webinar will target key factors in embracing identity in the workplace through: 1) addressing how their workplace has benefited from diversity; 2) providing insights on how to identify non-inclusive practices of microaggression and harassment; 3) defining how to confidently embrace your identity; and 4) how to utilize and find community support. Along with professional stances and narratives on being underrepresented in the workplace, this event aims to bring together trainees with their own experiences with open discussions on the crossroads of their personal identity and professional life. Our personal identities are part of what makes the field of toxicology distinctive, so the objective of this webinar is to assist trainees in finding their voice to contribute to the improvement of community workplaces through the empowerment of marginalized communities.

Speakers:
Pamella T. Gann, PhD, Principal Scientist, R&D Toxicology, Alcon
Jessica Jimenez, PhD, Human Safety Regulatory Toxicologist, Procter & Gamble
Greg Landry, PhD, DABT, Associate Professor, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Luma Melo, PhD, Translational and Clinical Research Scientist, Brightseed

Conflict Resolution Strategies in Academia, Government, and Industry—HOT Webinar

May 4, 2022, 5:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Speaker: Sasha Adkins, PhD, MPH.
Affiliation: Loyola University Chicago

Speaker: Peter L. Goering, PhD, DABT, ATS.
Affiliation: Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories

Speaker: Teresa Palacios-Hernandez, PhD, MSc.
Affiliation: USFDA-Center for Devices and Radiological Health

Speaker: Robert P. Casillas, PhD.
Affiliation: Discovery, Nonclinical, & Animal Health Consulting

Abstract:
Webster’s dictionary defines conflict as a sharp disagreement or opposition of interests or ideas. Conflict is a part of our everyday personal lives, as well as professional lives, including people working in government, industry, academia, and consulting sectors. It has been estimated that managers and HR spend at least 25 percent of their time resolving workplace conflicts. Major impacts of unresolved conflicts may include lower performance and emotional stress of the parties involved. To this end, conflict resolution can be used to resolve or reach a peaceful and equative resolution to a conflict. The goal of the present webinar is to provide insights and simple strategies that can be implemented as part of the conflict resolution process by the parties involved across different workforce sectors. The overall goal of the Education Committee of the Hispanic Organization of Toxicologists (HOT) is to contribute with the professional development to our community at large.

Points of Discussion

Conflict as a vehicle of progress
Speaker’s reflections from their job sectors
Strategies across diverse job sectors
Sources of conflict in the workplace
Navigation of conflict towards equity and inclusion

HOT Webinar April 28, 2022

2022 Hispanic Organization of Toxicologists Webinar: Immigration Journey of International Students and Early Career Post-doctorates in the United States

According to data from the Survey of Graduate Students and Post-doctorates in Science and Engineering from the National Science Foundation (2015), more than 50% of the 64,000 postdocs working in the US, are international. This community often faces questions and challenging situations while transitioning to the job market. This webinar attempts to inform international post-doctorates and early career scientists about VISA categories, eligibility, requisites, and processing times. This webinar is not intended to provide legal advice in any of the topics, rather it will serve as a resource to be used for career planning of international students and by institution/organization staff who want to open an opportunity to these talented people with unique skills.