Dear RSESS Members,
It is a tremendous honor and privilege to serve as President of the Regulatory and Safety Evaluation Specialty Section (RSESS) for 2026–2027. I would like to sincerely thank our past leaders, volunteers, committee members, and all of you whose dedication and engagement have made RSESS one of the most active and impactful Specialty Sections within the Society of Toxicology.
Regulatory science continues to evolve rapidly as advances in New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), artificial intelligence (AI), global harmonization initiatives, and changing regulatory expectations reshape the practice of toxicology. More than ever, RSESS serves as a forum that brings together scientists from industry, academia, regulatory agencies, and consulting organizations to exchange ideas, discuss emerging challenges, and advance regulatory science through webinars, scientific programming, professional development activities, and collaborative initiatives.
One of my priorities this year is to broaden opportunities for engagement across all career stages. While RSESS has a strong tradition of recognizing outstanding students and early- and late-career scientists, many members reach a pivotal mid-career stage where they make significant contributions to regulatory science while also taking on leadership responsibilities, mentoring future scientists, and building cross-sector collaborations. I am excited to introduce a new award recognizing outstanding contributions by mid-career regulatory and safety scientists. By celebrating excellence throughout the professional journey, we can better acknowledge the diverse accomplishments that strengthen our profession. I encourage all members to visit the RSESS webpage to learn more about our awards program and consider submitting applications.
Another key objective is to expand collaboration with other SOT Specialty Sections. Many of today’s scientific and regulatory challenges extend beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, making interdisciplinary engagement more important than ever. By partnering on webinars and scientific programs focused on topics of shared interest, we can bring together broader expertise, encourage productive dialogue, and provide greater value to our members. These collaborations also create valuable networking opportunities and strengthen connections across the SOT community. I am pleased to share that we already have two collaborative webinars planned for later this year, and I encourage you to watch for upcoming announcements and registration details.
The SOT Annual Meeting remains our flagship scientific event, and RSESS has consistently contributed to the high-quality scientific program. This year, we received a record number of scientific program proposals for review, and RSESS members actively participated in providing pre-review feedback and recommendations. These efforts help shape the scientific content of the 2027 SOT Annual Meeting and ensure that emerging topics relevant to regulatory and safety sciences are well represented.
Finally, I encourage each of you to become actively involved in RSESS—whether by serving on a subcommittee, participating in webinars as a speaker or a co-moderator, mentoring colleagues, nominating deserving award candidates, or sharing suggestions with the Executive Committee. Our Specialty Section thrives because of the enthusiasm, expertise, and commitment of its members. If you are interested in becoming more involved, please reach out to any member of the Executive Committee or one of our subcommittee leaders. I also encourage you to follow the SOT Regulatory and Safety Evaluation Specialty Section: Overview | LinkedIn on LinkedIn to stay informed about upcoming events, opportunities, and announcements.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Together, we can build on RSESS’s strong foundation while creating new opportunities for collaboration, recognition, scientific excellence, and professional development.
I look forward to working with all of you and to an exciting and productive year ahead.
Warm regards,
Manoj Aggarwal, DVM, PhD, DABT
President, 2026–2027
The mission of the Regulatory and Safety Evaluation Specialty Section of the SOT is to promote the development of sound governmental policies and regulations based on contemporary scientific knowledge arising from the disciplines encompassed by toxicology.