Events

Hosted by the SOT Out Toxicologists and Allies; and the Women in Toxicology Special Interest Groups

This panel will focus on how to define, study, and communicate about “sex” and “gender”. Both sex and gender are continuously evolving concepts, extending beyond traditionally viewed binary phenomena. Sex- and gender-related research has enormous potential to improve our understanding of physiology, toxicology, and disease risk, and transform disease treatments, but also has important social implications. While clinical and basic science have been infamously male-centric, important strides have been made recently by increasing female inclusion in research (by the NIH SABV initiative) and promoting women’s health initiatives (through new centers and initiatives). However, as the gender landscape in the society expands and anti-trans legislations spread throughout the country, there is an urgent need to reexamine how we study, teach, and communicate about sex and gender. Sex is a complex and context-dependent variable—how do we account for this in our study designs and interpretations? Where does “sex” end and “gender” begin? How can the SABV policy and women’s health initiatives be shaped to preserve their positive impacts while making sure that they account for gender inclusivity? These and many other questions will be discussed in this panel with the central question on how to study sex/gender in the most scientifically accurate and the most socially responsible way.

Speaker(s):
Megan Massa, PhD, Assistant Teaching Professor, Emory University
Liisa Galea, PhD, Professor, University of Toronto and Center for Addiction and Mental Health Canada
Patricia Silveyra, PhD, Professor, Indiana University

Materials: Webinar Recording amd Materials

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.

Speaker(s):
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