President’s Message
A Message from José Manautou, May 2025
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Dear Colleagues,
The academic year may be over for some of us, but IUTOX is just gaining momentum in 2025. From our Risk Assessment Summer School in São Paulo, Brazil in February, to the upcoming ICTXVII in Beijing, China in October, IUTOX is busier than ever and our capacity to deliver world-class programs has just been strengthened by a remarkable new commitment from EUROTOX. Their Executive Committee has pledged an annual donation of 10,000 Euros, beginning this year, dedicated to our international educational initiatives such as RASS, travel awards to ICT and CTDC, and the expansion of our online training opportunities. This reliable support is an extraordinary vote of confidence in our mission, ensuring that current activities remain strong and that we can extend learning opportunities to regions of the world that need them the most. On behalf of the IUTOX Executive Committee, I convey our sincerest gratitude for EUROTOX’s vision and generosity.
In February we hosted our first Risk Assessment Summer School (RASS) since 2022. Organized by Maria Zaidan Dagli of Brazil (IUTOX Developing Countries Committee Chair) and Heather Wallace (IUTOX Education Committee Chair), we hosted over 50 students from over a dozen countries, both online and in-person, in São Paulo, Brazil. In the words of one attendee, “The course was wonderful. It allowed me to learn, meet people with a high level of knowledge in the field and exchange experiences. It also encouraged me to reflect on my own practice, what topics and activities I need to focus on in order to produce important information so that we can have a healthier environment and quality of life.”
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RASS is a uniquely designed program offering advanced training for selected postgraduate, postdoctoral toxicologists in risk assessment. The working group format of RASS and direct interaction with speakers and educators is a distinctive and personal training experience, with an average of 40–45 registrants coming from the surrounding region, alongside a subset of participants who travel from more distant regions. In addition to trainees, the cohort typically includes junior scientists from academia, industry and government. This diversity fosters a dynamic and enriching environment, allowing participants to learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives, making RASS a uniquely valuable experience for all. The RASS courses are held in member countries around the world with the purpose of broadening the geographical base of toxicology as a discipline and a profession. If you weren’t able to attend this year, the next course is being planned for Malaysia in July 2026.
The IUTOX Executive Committee met this past March in Orlando, Florida at the SOT Annual Meeting. Over two days of meetings, we discussed the current business of IUTOX and brainstormed ideas for our future. Our delegates presented their findings from the site visits to Leipzig and Belgrade, and we are thrilled to invite Gesellschaft für Toxikologie (Society for Toxicology-Germany) and the Serbian Society of Toxicology to bring forward their final proposals to host the ICTXIX, happening in 2031. The host city will be selected through a vote at the General Assembly this October at the ICTXVII in Beijing, China.
Also at SOT, two yearly events took place. First, IUTOX and SOT jointly hosted the Global Collaboration Coffee on the theme “Next Generation Risk Assessment: From Principle to Practice—Where are We?” IUTOX also hosted the Big5 Meeting, which brings together the SOT, ACT and the German, Japanese and Chinese Societies of Toxicology for a round-table exchange focused on identifying fresh opportunities for collaboration.
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Later this Fall, the 17th International Congress of Toxicology (ICTXVII) will take place from October 15–18, 2025 in Beijing, cohosted by the Chinese Society of Toxicology (CST)—the first-ever ICT to be held China. The congress will feature an outstanding scientific program highlighting excellence and diversity in toxicology. The theme of ICTXVII is “Toxicology for Safe Environment and Healthy Life.” Registration is open, and the Early-Bird deadline is fast approaching on May 31, so register today if you haven’t already. The scientific program is already posted on the congress webpage and promises exceptional offerings for toxicologists from all walks, from cutting-edge topics in toxicology, including innovative methodologies and regulatory science, to global public health challenges and advancements in risk assessment.
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When we meet at our General Assembly in Beijing, we will also be voting in a new Executive Committee for a 3-year term. My time as IUTOX President will be over then, and I am pleased to be co-chairing the Nominating Committee with past-president Peter Di Marco as we search for the next leaders of IUTOX. All member societies in good standing were invited to submit nominations, and the committee has been hard at work evaluating all nominees in order to produce a ballot to be voted upon this fall.
As always, I welcome your input as Member Societies of IUTOX on what is important to you regarding our IUTOX programs and services, allowing IUTOX to serve as a platform to promote international scientific collaboration and education in toxicology.
By the way, we’d love to connect with you on social media too! If you’re on LinkedIn, please follow our page where we post important announcements about travel grants, upcoming education offerings, and timely member society news.
