about membership activities meetings resources feedback home

 

News and Reviews

Print this issue      

President's Message

A Message from the President of IUTOX, Ali Esat Karakaya (November 2006)

Dear IUTOX Member,

Since my previous message dated April 2006, IUTOX has gone through a period of intensive activity. The 6th Congress of Toxicology in Developing Congress (6th CTDC) was successfully held in Croatia with the laudable partnership of EUROTOX and the Croatian Toxicological Society as an integrated meeting with the 43rd Congress of the European Societies of Toxicology. On behalf of the IUTOX, I would like to thank both societies for their cooperation in organizing this exceptional toxicological event and our Croatian colleagues for their warm hospitality.

CTDCs, which have become an official IUTOX activity ever since the constitutional amendment made at the 2004 IUTOX Tampere General Assembly meeting, will henceforth be held in accordance with the “Standard Operational Procedures for the IUTOX Congresses”. Meanwhile, Sun City, South Africa has been selected by vote of the member societies as the venue for 7th CDTC to be held in 2009. Our South African colleagues have already started preparations for this meeting.   

Another recent and successful IUTOX organization, the Eleventh Risk Assessment Summer School (RASS), was held in Germany in September 2006. This summer school, which has an important function, has once again successfully fulfilled its mission.   

Let me note that the eleventh meeting of the most prominent scientific activity of IUTOX, namely the International Congresses of Toxicology, shall convene in Montreal in June 2007.  Traditionally, the ICTs have been a platform for highlighting scientific advances and have provided toxicologists with an opportunity for interdisciplinary interaction among the various branches of toxicology. The scientific program for ICT XI continues in this tradition. The newsletter contains detailed information about the developments in this context.  We are looking forward to this important meeting of the World Toxicology Community.

I am pleased to report that IUTOX is continuing to expand its membership and its activities and that in parallels to this, its influence and its significance in the world of toxicology is on the rise. Recently, the Austrian Society of Toxicology has joined the IUTOX family as the 48th member society. As you know, the constitutional amendment ratified at the 2004 Tampere IUTOX General Assembly, has opened the way for Institutional membership in IUTOX. Since then, 7 institutional members have joined us, namely, AMGEN Inc., Cantox Health Science International, Chevron Phillips Chemical Co., Environ International, Pfizer Global Research and Development, L'Oreal, and TAP Pharmaceutical Products. On behalf of IUTOX, I welcome our new members and would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my belief that, working together, we shall continue to make significant contributions to the toxicological dimensions of the all-important fields of human health and environmental protection.

The forthcoming IUTOX General Assembly is scheduled to meet during the ICT IX in Montreal. The preparations for the General Assembly are continuing at present, as are the communications between the IUTOX headquarters and the member societies regarding the subjects that the General Assembly shall discuss and decide. The evaluation of IUTOX activities, the election of the new executive committee and the selection of the venues for ICT XIII and the 8th CTDC are prominent among these subjects.

As IUTOX we expect that your society will consider nominating your distinguished members to serve as IUTOX officers for the term of 2007-2010 and to submit bids for ICT XIII and 8th CTDC Congresses. Let me remind you that February 1st 2007 is the deadline for the receipt of bids for ICT XIII and 8th CTDC Congresses and January 15, 2007 is the deadline for nominations of IUTOX executive committee members.

With my best regards,

Ali Esat Karakaya,  Ph.D., ATS
IUTOX President  (2004-2007)


IUTOX General Assembly—July 18, 2007

Please mark your calendars for the IUTOX General Assembly which is scheduled Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at the ICTXI meeting in Montreal, Canada. In preparation for this activity, please make certain that your member society information is correct on the IUTOX web site at http://www.iutox.org/members.asp

A broadcast email will be sent to your society’s contact person in early January 2007 requesting the names of your society’s representatives to the General Assembly.  These are the individuals who will be authorized to vote on behalf of your society. Please contact IUTOX HQ at IUTOXHQ@IUTOX.org if you have any questions.


Nominating Committee Call for Nominees

The IUTOX Nominating Committee is soliciting candidates for IUTOX elected positions. Each member society should begin discussions on appropriate candidates and submit nominees to IUTOX HQ by January 15, 2007. Full Nominating Committee Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are posted on the IUTOX web site at http://www.iutox.org/nominating_sops.asp.


Call for ICTXIII and 8CTDC Host Applications

Is your society interested in hosting either the ICTXIII in 2013 or the CTDC VIII in 2012? The deadline for receipt of host proposals is February 1, 2007, after which proposals will be sent to member societies, with a final vote on hosts at the July 2007 General Assembly. 

International Congress on Toxicology (ICT) meetings are the largest and most prestigious international congresses on toxicology in the world and are held every three years, offering the opportunity to learn the latest developments in toxicological science and regulation through general scientific sessions and continuing education classes. ICTX was held in Tampere, Finland in 2004, ICTXI will be held in Montreal, Canada in July 2007, and ICTXII is scheduled for Barcelona, Spain in 2010. Host application details can be found at http://www.iutox.org/ict.asp.

Congresses on Toxicology in Developing Countries (CTDC) are held every three years. The meetings provide a forum for discussing toxicological problems facing developing countries in the future and exchanging views with toxicologists from all over the world, especially from developing countries and regions. The 5th CTDC was held in Guilin, China in 2003, the 6th was held in Cavtat, Croatia in 2006, and the 7th will be held in Sun City, South Africa in 2009. Host application details can be found at http://www.iutox.org/ctdc.asp.


Lecturer Funding for National Meetings in Developing Countries

A major activity of IUTOX is to support and enhance toxicology education especially within countries in which toxicology is underrepresented. The purpose of this initiative is to enhance the development of toxicology in these counties through the provision of education and transfer of expertise from those countries in which toxicology is more advanced. Each year, IUTOX can provide limited support in the form of lectures from experts in a range of toxicology areas for inclusion in National Toxicology Society Meetings in countries in which toxicology is underrepresented.

Historically, each CE course has cost around $3000-$5000. It is therefore anticipated that an "average" program might provide one or two speakers/contributors and generally two CE courses plus one workshop contribution per year. We very much encourage applications for support from those countries that may benefit from this input into National Society meetings or workshops. Full application details may be found at: http://www.iutox.org/ce.asp.


IUTOX Funds Successful Lecture in Estonia

On 26 May, 2006, Dr.Robert D. Combes (FRAME) gave a lecture on REACH and the three Rs on behalf of IUTOX to the Estonian Society of Toxicology (EST). He was hosted by Irina Blinova and Anne Kahru, IB and AK.

The talk was given to some 50 members of the EST, who came from a variety of backgrounds and interest, particularly ecotoxicity. The talk provoked an interesting discussion and the talk and associated background material were made available to the audience via the FRAME website at http://www.frame.org.uk/estoniachern/.

The NICPB (www.kbfi.ee) carries out fundamental and applied research and engages in the development of novel directions in material sciences, gene-and biotechnology, environmental technology, and computer sciences, and work is divided into the following program areas: particle physics, nuclear magnetic resonance, new spin materials and states; ionic conductivity and catalysis, macromolecular interactions, environmental chemistry, in vitro toxicology and the Three Rs, and lastly, bioenergetical nonlinear photonice. 1B and AK are part of the toxicology group, which is part of the molecular genetics group.

They work in the area of ecotoxicology and are interested in the challenges posed by REACH. In particular, they have been involved in developing and assessing the wide ranging battery of species-specific Toxkit assays which are being increasingly used, particularly in acute and chronic aquatic toxicity testing. 

If your society would like to apply for an IUTOX sponsored lecture, full application details may be found at: http://www.iutox.org/ce.asp.


IUTOX Needs YOUR Society to be a Center of Information for IART

IUTOX has played a significant role in the development if the International Assembly for the Recognition of Toxicologists (IART). IART is a forum for the development of criteria for recognizing qualified experts in toxicology; assisting toxicology organizations in establishing these criteria and using them in the recognition of toxicologists; and promoting identification of education and training needs. 

To take this activity to the next level, IUTOX now needs your society’s help. The IUTOX Task Force on Certification and Recognition is putting together Centers of Establishment (COEs) to disseminate information on the harmonization process for qualified toxicologists. If your organization would like to participate, please contact Corrado Gali at corradogali@unimi.it


Calendar of Upcoming Meetings and Member Meeting News

Update on ICT XIOctober 2006

On October 10th, the Call for Abstracts for the 11th International Congress of Toxicology (ICT XI) was electronically distributed to approximately 100,000 members of the international toxicology community. The theme of the Congress, to be held July 15-19 in Montreal, Canada, is "Toxicology: Discovery Serving Society". ICTXI features 35 scientific symposia covering a diverse range of topics relevant to fundamental and applied toxicology. Additionally, four keynote lectures will be presented, on “Children’s Toxicology Issues in Developing Countries”, “Toxicogenomics: What Have We Learned About the Mechanisms of Toxicity?”, “Molecular and Biochemical Mechanisms in Teratogenesis Involving Reactive Oxygen Species”, and “How Does the Environment Sculpt Our Genome? Environmental Programming of Stress Responses through the Epigenome”. Two exciting roundtables will discuss “Male Reproductive Health Under Toxic Assault” and “Public Perception of Toxicologic Diseases: Is There a Bias?”, and a not-to-be-missed debate will be on the topic of “Environment and Human Health Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Is There Really a Problem?”. The prestigious Deichmann Lecture will be delivered following the Opening Ceremony by Professor Allan Okey from the University of Toronto, and will be on the role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon (Ah) Receptor in Toxicological Responses. On Sunday July 15th, preceding the official opening of the Congress, there will be a day of Continuing Education courses. Six timely and informative courses are offered: “ Pathology for Non-Pathologists”, “Development and Interpretation of Toxicokinetic Data for Risk and Safety Assessment”, “The Omics in Toxicology”, “Immunotoxicology”, “Balancing Scientific Safety Study and Animal Welfare Refinement, Replacement and Reduction Objectives”, and “Cardiotoxicity of Non-Cardiac Drugs”.

In addition, the Congress will incorporate three full days of poster sessions, a commercial exhibition, and an attractive selection of social events to be enjoyed. The Local Arrangements Committee has planned an “O Night” (Soirée d’Eau; “eau”, pronounced “o”, is water in French) on Tuesday evening, featuring a dinner cruise on the magnificent St. Lawrence river.  An “O Day” for accompanying persons offers a selection of exhilarating water-related activities, including kayaking and jet boating. The Congress banquet on Wednesday evening will highlight Montreal’s world famous cuisine, including regional Quebec dishes. Delegates and their families/accompanying persons can sign up for post-congress tours to several scenic and easily accessible destinations, including Ottawa, Quebec City, and the Charlevoix region of Quebec.
For a successful international Congress, it is important to have extensive participation by colleagues from developing countries. With this aim in mind, IUTOX provides financial support to individuals to attend ICT XI, through its fellowship program. As well, ICT XI will be providing up to 40 complimentary registrations to recipients of IUTOX fellowships.  IUTOX awards two types of fellowships: Junior Toxicologist Fellowships to individuals at an early stage in their careers and Senior Toxicologist Fellowships to those involved in organizational activities in their own national society. Both types of fellowships require active participation in ICT XI by submitting an abstract. Applications for the IUTOX fellowship must be submitted before January 30, 2007, to the IUTOX headquarters. Information is available on the IUTOX website: www.iutox.org/grants.asp.

Downloadable details of all relevant Congress information, including instructions on submission of abstracts, may be found on the ICT XI web site at www.ict2007.org. Important dates to remember are the abstract submission deadline of January 18, 2007, the advance/early registration deadline of May 1, 2007, and the accommodation deadline of June 1, 2007.

RASS 2006 Meeting

The Eleventh Risk Assessment Summer School was held September 2–10, 2006 at Hoeri am Bodensee, Hemmenhofen, Germany. Twenty-five students from 22 different countries and a faculty of seven senior toxicologists and one psychologist from four different countries took part.

The students were exposed to lectures on toxicology and risk analysis. The students, representing industry, academia and regulatory agencies, were divided into five smaller groups in which lectures and the student cases were thoroughly discussed with the help of one member of the faculty as tutor. In this way the students were exposed to a variety of risk assessment problems of chemicals from different countries. After the group discussion the students presented the conclusions of their study cases in plenary sessions. Furthermore, the students had ample time for individual discussions both with the faculty and the other students. This type of hands-on-training is very efficient as the students improved in their performance during the course.

From the course evaluation, it was obvious that all the students thought that the course was very successful, that they made many valuable contacts for the future and that they will recommend the course to others in the future. The students from developing countries highly valued the opportunity to meet with toxicologists from developed countries. All the students said that the course was a great inspiration to go back home and continue their work in risk assessment of chemicals.

One student wrote: “UN can learn from RASS. Impressive personal experience. Cross fertilisation of cultures, very warm, one family. No walls were built, only bridges between age groups, different fields of toxicology, career experience and bridges between faculty and students. Important pages in the story of my life written here. Just terrific! Mighty. Thank you.”

The two half-day excursions were highly appreciated by the students and faculty. The treasurer of IUTOX, Professor Dr Alexander Buerkle, attended the final day of the course. RASS certificates were handed out to the students at the farewell dinner.

Torbjörn Malmfors                        Birgitta Lewander
Course director                            Course secretary


The History of the Risk Assessment Summer School (RASS)

At the European Society of Toxicology (EST) meeting in Montpellier June 1975 there were two memorable events, the outdoor crayfish party and the review of training in toxicology by several of the old time toxicologists, Holmstedt, Barnes, Remmer, Loomis, Golberg, Gehring Klinger, Barstad and Aldridge. This was a good illustration of how to combine pleasure and education in toxicology as two very important things in life.

Bo Holmstedt opened the symposium on training in toxicology by reviewing toxicology in Europe and finished with one of the main recommendations of the Medical Research Councils of Europe (EMRC): The main emphasis of training (in toxicology) should be at the postgraduate level. EST, the British Toxicology Society and the Swedish Board of Universities further promoted the ideas of EMRC and Colleges at the beginning of the 80-ies and the principles of toxicology education were well founded. However, Bo Holmstedt seemed not to have been fully satisfied with the proposals because he suggested that EST and the Society of Toxicology in USA should initiate a summer school in toxicology to foster the qualified toxicologists needed for the future development of toxicology. As a model for a summer school he had in mind the Gordon Conferences and the meetings between Nobel laureates and young scientists at Mainau, where the main principle was informal discussions in order to share knowledge and experience. The term summer school did not only imply that it was conducted during the summer but also that its main pedagogic principle was the fulltime interaction between students and masters under pleasant conditions.

When Holmstedt became President of IUTOX, 1983, it was decided that the summer school should be co-sponsored by this global organisation to reach an international audience. Risk assessment was timely chosen as an appropriate topic for the intended pedagogic model, as it is based to a great extent on judgements and experience. T Malmfors was asked to organise and conduct the first two courses agreed upon by EST and SOT. He had 15 years experience of academic education in histology and toxicology and had conducted courses on toxicology evaluation at the Swedish Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences for 5 years and had a particularly interest in risk assessment. The summer school was given the name Risk Assessment Summer School, with the acronym RASS.

In order to fulfil the intentions of Bo Holmstedt two problems were paid special attention: (1) the faculty and (2) the study material. The faculty members were carefully selected among experienced toxicologists, who were interested in the concept of the summer school and agreed to participate during the whole course. They were all outstanding experts with long-time experience of evaluation in the major areas of toxicology, see table no 1. Besides toxicologists, a psychologist —Paul Slovic—a well-known expert in risk perception, was invited to cover the judgemental issues of risk assessment. Instead of the faculty providing material for the discussions, which were going to be a major activity, the students were instructed to write a study case on risk assessment of a real chemical or product in advance of the course. The organiser had used this successfully at the toxicology evaluation courses at the Swedish Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

There were also some other aspects, albeit not that important, which were considered from the beginning. To facilitate transportation for participants from all over the world the venue should be located close to a convenient airport but still fairly isolated to prevent the students from disappearing to other activities. To promote the learning process the venue should provide a stimulating and creative environment for both mind and senses – combining pleasure and education. The students should be scientifically qualified in toxicology, preferable at the doctoral level, having some practical experience, having academic, industrial or regulatory affiliation, not more than 35 years of age and able to communicate in English.

The first course, RASS I, was conducted 1985 at Menstrup Kro in Denmark and followed two years later by RASS II at Airlie House in Virginia, USA. The number of students and their origin can be seen in the attached Table 2. There were some changes among the faculty members, see table 1, but the majority was the same.

The outline of the programme of the two first courses was about the same and the main principles have been used since then.

The course lasted a total of nine days, including seven days filled with lectures, discussions, and two half days of excursions and arrival and departure day. After introductory lectures each faculty member presented their topic of expertise in a two 45 minutes long sessions, followed by discussions both in plenum and in break out groups. The rest of the time was spent on the study cases written by the students. First the cases were discussed in detail in the break out groups with a faculty member as tutor. Then the cases were further discussed among the group member or with the tutor, if necessary, and after that the author prepared himself/herself for the plenary discussion a day later. All cases were discussed in plenum. After a short presentation by the author two groups were prepared to ask question or make comments before all students and faculty members were invited to take part in the discussion. 

After some considerations IUTOX decided to continue the RASS programme with the same organiser and according to the same principles as those employed so successfully during the first two courses. In this way another nine courses, see table 2, have been conducted at different venues mainly in the same way as the first courses with nearly the same faculty members and with a total of 281 students from 45 different countries, see Table 2. The principles, conduct details and experience of the RASS programme have been summarised in a written manual published on the IUTOX website.

The outcome of the courses has been surveyed at the end of each course. From these surveys and other sources it is obvious that the overwhelming value of RASS to the students has been the preparation, discussion and presentation of their written study cases. More details on the outcome can be found in the published manual.

However, the real value of the course for each student can only be judged by the individuals themselves. It is also difficult to know if RASS has fulfilled the hopes of the late Bo Holmstedt, i. e., that it should promote toxicology, but it is noteworthy that many former RASS students can be found at leading toxicological positions. Furthermore it has successfully combined pleasure and toxicology education. Hopefully future education in toxicology should, at least to some extent, be based upon the principle of RASS in order to fulfil the visions of these old toxicologists.

Besides the satisfaction of the students, the success of RASS is evidenced by the fact that the faculty members have kept on coming back course after course without any extra compensation than accommodation and sometimes travel expenses. During the years the faculty has become a strong team, which enthusiastically has supported and further developed RASS into a very special event. They have really fulfilled the vision of a summer school by being present all the time to share their experience with the young experts-to-be. Their contribution has been invaluable, very much appreciated by the students and heartily acknowledged by us, the organisers.

T Malmfors          B Lewander

RASS no

General toxicology

Reproductive toxicology

Genotoxicity
Mutagenicity

Carcinogenicity

Immunotoxicity

Risk, hazard

Risk
Analysis

I

Anthony
Dayan

Tony Palmer
Bengt Källén

Bo Lambert

Gary Williams

 

Martin Kramer

Paul Slovic

II

Anthony
Dayan

Paul Peters

Bo Lambert

HelmutGreim

 

Emil Pfitzer

Paul Slovic

III

Torbjörn
Malmfors

Paul Peters

Bo Lambert

Gary Williams

 

Wally Hayes

Paul Slovic

IV

Torbjörn
Malmfors

Paul Peters

Bo Lambert

Iain Purchase

 

Wally Hayes

Paul Slovic

V

Wally Hayes

Paul Peters

Bo Lambert

Iain Purchase

Anthony Dayan

 

Paul Slovic

VI

Wally Hayes

Paul Peters

Bo Lambert

Iain Purchase

Jack Dean

 

Paul Slovic

VII

Wally Hayes

Paul Peters

Bo Lambert

Iain Purchase

Jack Dean

 

Paul Slovic

VIII

Wally Hayes

Paul Peters

Bo Lambert

Iain Purchase

Jack Dean

 

Paul Slovic

IX

Wally Hayes

Paul Peters

Bo Lambert

Iain Purchase

Jack Dean

 

Paul Slovic

X

Wally Hayes

Paul Peters

Bo Lambert

Iain Purchase

 

 

Paul Slovic

XI

Wally Hayes

Paul Peters

Bo Lambert

Elain Austman

Jack Dean

 

Paul Slovic

Table 1. Faculty members in different areas of toxicology. Furthermore the following experts have participated, given lectures and acted as tutors: John Newman, Marie Haag-Grönlund.

RASS No

Time

Venue

Country

Number of students/countries

I

August, 1985

Menstrup Kro

Denmark

23/7

II

August 1987

Airlie House

Virginia, USA

27/8

III

October 1990

Hotel Europa

Anacapri, Italy

28/14

IV

August 1992

Grotto Bay Hotel

Bermuda

20/11

V

August 1994

Manor of Groves

England

24/15

VI

Aug–Sept 1996

Royal Garden Village

Hua-Hin, Thailand

24/11

VII

August 1998

Toftagården

Gotland, Sweden

28/16

VIII

October 2000

Pueblo Acantilado

Alicante, Spain

32/23

IX

October 2002

Ta Cenc

Gozo, Malta

26/20

X

Sept-Oct 2004

Hotel Hoeri

Germany

24/16

XI

September 2006

Hotel Hoeri

Germany

25/22

TOTAL

 

 

 

281/45

Table 2. Time, venues and number of students and their origin.


IUTOX Member Society Highlights:

New IUTOX Member SocietyAustrian SOT

The IUTOX EC is pleased to announce the induction of the Austrian Society of Toxicology as an IUTOX member Society. The group has 134 members and is lead by Univ. Prof. DD. Rolf Schulte-Hermann, who is the Chairman of the Society. Full society details may be found at http://www.astox.at/

Whose society will be featured next? It is up to you. Send your information to IUTOX HQ.


The Report for the 33rd Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Toxicology

Japanese 33rd Annual Meeting, “Japanese Society of Toxicology 2006” was held from July 3rd to 5th, 2006 at the Nagoya International congress Center, organized by Ikuo HORII, Group Director, Toxicological Science Research, Pfizer Nagoya Laboratories Japan.

Numbers of participants were over fourteen hundred (1,400) and total scientific presentations were 237; it was the largest meeting of JST since it was established in 1973.

During the time, one presidential invited lecture delivered by Taku NAGAO on “Pharmacology and Toxicology: Drug discovery and Toxicogenomics”, three special lectures delivered by Prof. Yuichi SUGIYAMA, Tokyo Univ., on “Pharmacodynamics: Drug transporter-derived toxicity and the prevention”; delivered by William WADDELL, Louisville Univ., on “Dose response and thresholds in chemical carcinogenesis”; and delivered by Jack A. REYNOLDS, Pfizer Inc., on “Emerging opportunities in elucidating the Biology of adverse events and risk management”, and three Educational lectures delivered by Urs. A. BOETSTERI, Kai SAVOLAINEN and myself. Also, four Symposia, five Workshops, and one co-sponsored Symposium on “Omics Forum” open to public were successfully held with full audience. 

The meeting was supported by 14 Companies that provided Luncheon seminars, 7 Companies that provided seminars explaining their own profile, 58 Companies joined the company Exhibition and 26 Companies put their advertisements at the Annual Meeting.

Meeting organizers kindly provided a booth for presentation of the IUTOX activities free of charge, which made successful presentation of current IUTOX task program.


Awards and Fellowships

International Union of Toxicology Merit Award

The IUTOX Merit Award is presented to an individual in recognition of a long and distinguished career in toxicology at the international level. Achievements in academia, public service or industry may be recognized. Emphasis should be on contributions that have strengthened the field of toxicology. The award consists of a plaque and a cash stipend.

Applications for the IUTOX Merit Award should be submitted to the Secretary-General, IUTOX, IUTOX Headquarters: 1821 Michael Faraday Drive, Suite 300, Reston, VA 20190 or by e-mail to iutoxhq@iutox.org. IUTOX Merit Award applications must reach IUTOX by February 1.

Fellowships to Attend ICT XI

IUTOX will provide financial support to individuals to attend the ICT XI in Montreal, Canada. Two types of fellowships will be awarded. Junior toxicologist fellowships are aimed at individuals at an early stage in their careers. Senior toxicologist fellowships are aimed at those involved in organizational activities in their own national society. The fellowships should contribute to travel and accommodation. The ICT XI organizers will WAIVE the MEETING registration fee (FOR UP TO 40 FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS). The criteria for application and evaluation of fellowships are indicated on the IUTOX web site at http://www.iutox.org/grants.asp. All applications must be received at the IUTOX headquarters by March 15, 2007. Electronic submission is accepted. Awardees will be notified by April 30, 2007. Submit applications to: iutoxhq@iutox.org. Previous fellowship winners are not eligible to apply.


International Congress of Toxicology IUTOX Trainee Awards

Graduate students and post-doctoral fellows are invited to submit their International Congress of Toxicology (ICT) poster abstracts for consideration in the IUTOX Trainee Award poster competition.

Submissions will consist of: (1) The poster abstract, as it will be presented at the ICT Meeting, in electronic form (Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat pdf) in a 8.5" by 11" page format with a 12 or 14 font size. (2) a two-page letter from the faculty advisor that indicates the significance and potential impact of the work, also in electronic form. Submissions must be received by the IUTOX Secretary General no later than January 30 of the year preceding the International Congress of Toxicology at which the award is to be given. The review of nominations is the responsibility of the IUTOX Education Commission.

Winners will receive a plaque and a monetary award. Graduate Student: Plaques for 1st through 3rd place as well as monetary award (1st Place $500, 2nd Place $300, Third Place $100). Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award: Only one will be awarded and it will include a plaque and $500. Awards will be announced at the ICT meeting. Further details can be found at http://www.iutox.org/grants.asp.


International Congress of Toxicology IUTOX Early Toxicologist Award

The purpose of the IUTOX Early Toxicologist Award is to recognize and stimulate outstanding research in toxicology by newly established investigators. The Award consists of a plaque and reimbursement of the travel expenses incurred to attend the International Congress of Toxicology (ICT); the Award will be presented once every three years, at the ICT meeting.

A candidate must have less than 10 years experience in the year of the ICT meeting since obtaining his/her highest earned degree. Originality of the research, the significance of the contribution and its impact in the field of Toxicology, in addition to the clarity and excellence of data presentation, are important criteria. Candidates will not be judged in comparison with the work of more mature and experienced investigators.

Nominations should be made by the home Society, or, if the applicant does not have a national toxicology society, by his/her department. Further details may be found at http://www.iutox.org/grants.asp.

Robert A. Dixon International Travel Award

Robert L. Dixon Award, sponsored by the Toxicology Education Foundation, takes applications from graduate students in the area of reproductive toxicology. The award carries a stipend of $2,000 for travel costs to enable a student to attend the International Congress of Toxicology meeting. The application deadline for awards to the 2007 ICT XI meeting is December 31, 2006. Full details can be found at http://www.toxedfoundation.org/dixon_award.html.

IUTOX CTDC Fellowship Recipients

IUTOX provides financial support to individuals to participate in the CTDC. Two types of fellowships are awarded: Junior Toxicologist Fellowships are aimed at providing an opportunity for young researchers from developing countries who are interested in toxicology or related sciences and Senior Toxicologist Fellowships are aimed at those involved in organizational activities in their own national society. Congratulations to the 6CTDC recipients, who attended the joint 6CTDC/EUROTOX meeting in Cavtat, Croatia:

2006 Senior Award Recipients:
Mehboob Ali
Nursen Basaran
A. Roy Chowdhury
El-hussein El-Khatib
Ligia Fat
P. Balakrishna Murthy
Prabhakara Murty
Monica M. B. Paoliello
Alla Voronina

2006 Junior Award Recipients:
Hasmik Hayrapetyan
K. Mohamed
Olena Mischuk
Arumugam Muthuvel
Shirin Pournourmohammadi
Hasibur Rehman
Shalini Saggu
Shahin Shadnia
Mukesh Kumar Sharma
Anica Simic


Calendar of Upcoming Meetings and Member Meeting News

IUTOX Meetings

Information on international meetings, including member society meetings, can be found at http://www.iutox.org/meetings.asp. If you would like your member IUTOXHQ@IUTOX.org.


Other News

Teaching Toxicology to the Public—The Toxicology Education Foundation Debuts a New Video

Is it Safe? Evaluating Chemical Risks” is an award winning video produced by the Toxicology Education Foundation (TEF) and co-sponsored by the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). TEF is a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging, supporting, and promoting charitable and educational activities which increase the understanding of toxicology. The video is aimed at giving people a clearly explained and engaging look at the basics of toxicology and risk assessment. It offers guidance on determining what chemicals may be causes for concern and, more importantly, under what circumstances. Fundamental concepts, such as “The dose makes the poison,” and prevention are enhanced by the visual format. 

The video is designed as both a stand-alone unit for unmediated viewing by interested members of the public and as a teaching tool. Toxicologists and other public health professionals are encouraged to use the video at group meetings, schools, libraries, and community centers. “Is it Safe?” is available via streaming video at TEF’s Web site (http://www.toxedfoundation.org) and on DVD, available from TEF. The video is the latest of a number of significant outreach products created by TEF, which continues to seek new ways to broaden its educational reach and transmit authoritative toxicological information to the public and other audiences. For more information about the video and TEF’s work, or to contribute, contact them at:

Toxicology Education Foundation (TEF)
P.O. Box 31021
Raleigh, NC 27622-1021
tefhq@toxedfoundation.org
919-676-4666


Bo Holmstead Memorial Travel Award

This award is presented by the Bo Holmstedt Memorial Foundation to toxicologists in developing countries. The award is provided to educate toxicologists from developing countries and to stimulate collaboration between toxicologists working in developing countries and European toxicological institutions. The award is intended to support technology transfer, attendance in relevant short-term courses, or to familiarize the recipient with research and regulatory issues in European countries. Priority will be given to scientists with a special interest in environmental health problems and human toxicology. The expected term of the fellowship is 1-2 months.

Who can apply?
Candidates for this award should primarily be established, mid-career scientists who are members either of their national or regional toxicological societies, and who would like to initiate or strengthen collaboration with European Toxicologists. The award is for amounts up to 5000 EURO.

Application
Applications must include a statement of the applicant’s experience and area of interest. A proposed plan for the visit/course and its underlying rational should be provided, along with an indication of the benefits that the award will confer on the applicant. Candidates should contact the host institution prior to submission of the application. The application should not exceed 1,500 words.

The following format is suggested for the application:

  1. Name and affiliation
  2. Statement of experience and research interest
  3. Proposed programme
  4. Letter of invitation from receiving institution
  5. Statement of benefits to the applicant
  6. Curriculum Vitae and list of publications

The application should be submitted to Professor Kirsi Vahakangas, Department of Toxicology, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland or by email: Kirsi.vahakangas@uku.fi).

Deadline for the application is February, and the applicants will be informed mid-May on the outcome.

Members of the board of the Bo Holmstedt Memorial Foundation will select the recipients.

 

IUTOX Meetings

Members Society Meetings



Newsletter Archives:

 

 

 

Contact IUTOX at: iutoxhq@iutox.org For web technical issues contact: webtech@iutox.org
Copyright © 2005–2006 by IUTOX.