The Scientific Liaison Coalition (SLC) was established to foster stronger scientific collaboration to promote human health. Our core guiding principle is that increased collaboration among scientists across sectors (academia, industry, government) and spanning diverse disciplines drives scientific progress that directly improves public and environmental health.
Our member organizations benefit from global partnerships, the advancement of interdisciplinary scientific collaboration, and access to exclusive member-only content. We operate through virtual monthly teleconferences and an annual face-to-face gathering. These opportunities help raise awareness of member society events and provide updates on the progress of SLC-planned initiatives.
Currently, the SLC comprises 12 member organizations. Since its creation in 2008, SLC has established a variety of work groups to explore and address cross-cutting issues of shared interest and impact on our members. The SLC currently has five active work groups: Animal Models and Alternatives; Dose-Dependent Mechanisms of Action; Neuro Topics; Occupational Exposures; and Psychedelics and Cannabis. Although these groups have specific objectives, many intergroup activities are developed. During the past year, SLC work groups organized events and activities on multiple topics.
The Animal Models and Alternatives Work Group has produced a publication entitled Protecting Human and Animal Health: The Road from Animal Models to New Approach Methods. (doi:10.1124/pharmrev.123.000967) authored by some SLC Animals Models and Alternatives work group members and published in 2024 in Pharmacological Reviews. This material was presented at the PLOS SciComm blog and as a poster during some of the SLC Societies members’ meetings, including BDRP, and IUTOX’s CTDC. In addition, a manuscript entitled Identifying the Gaps and Opportunities for NAMs Application in Regulatory Toxicology, was recently accepted by Current Opinion in Toxicology.
The Dose-Dependent Mechanisms of Action Work Group (our newest WG) has outlined a manuscript and selected initial co-authors from BDRP, SOT, ATS, and other societies to address the issue of Dose-dependent Determinants of Biologic Plausibility. Additional members are encouraged to join the WG.
The Neuro Work Group is also new this year. It has already attracted many members from SLC Societies as it has focused on and outlined a possible webinar or manuscript on the topic of AI application to neurotoxicity and brain imaging.
The Occupational Exposures Work Group was formed to address occupational exposure and health issues relevant to multiple societies. Several educational sessions have been delivered at toxicology and industrial health meetings internationally.
The Psychedelics and Cannabis Work Group has developed and published a COTOX Special Issue including 14 chapters and an introduction entitled Psychedelics and Cannabis: Toxicological Perspectives and Public Health Challenges. The Work group is planning a virtual conference proposal entitled “Emerging Therapeutics and Safety” (ETS). They have also organized cannabis and psychedelics toxicologist social events during the annual meetings of the Society of Toxicology and the American College of Toxicology for the past two years. Future activities include the planning of a transdisciplinary virtual conference next year on the safety issues of cannabis, psychedelics, and other emerging therapeutics.
Work group activities are fundamental for SLC development. Some challenging issues are in discussion, such as the implementation of NAMs in the regulatory sector, the future of animal models, psychedelic and cannabis use, and developmental and reproductive toxicology, environmental contaminants in psychedelics and cannabis, and challenges in communicating the exposure-related risk of psychedelics and cannabis, among others.
SLC’s activities only happen thanks to the voluntary commitment, expertise, and enthusiasm of its members’ representatives
As the newly appointed SLC Chair, as of May 2026, I extend my sincere gratitude to my predecessors for their dedication and hard work in maintaining a strong and active SLC. I am committed to serving the best interests of our members and their representatives to the fullest of my ability.
Best regards,
William Slikker Jr., PhD, ATS
Chair (2026–2027), Science Liaison Coalition