President’s Message
A Message from Martin F. Wilks, November 2025
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Dear Colleagues,
I would like to start my first message as President of IUTOX with my sincere thanks to you all for having bestowed on me the honor of leading this great organisation. Over the next 3 years I will do my best to advance the IUTOX mission to improve human health through the science and practice of toxicology world-wide. In this, I know I can count on the support of a strong Executive Committee and I am looking forward to working with this great team of newly elected and re-elected colleagues.
I’m writing to you with fresh memories of the highly successful 17th International Congress of Toxicology in Beijing, China, which finished on 18 October. The outstanding scientific program was enjoyed by over 1,400 delegates from more than 60 countries. Old friendships have been renewed and new ones have been forged. Most importantly, we have experienced the warm hospitality of our Chinese hosts that will be a lasting memory for all. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Chinese Society of Toxicology and its leadership who have worked tirelessly for the last 6 years to create a truly memorable event. You have been an inspiration to all of us.
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Through the generosity of our sponsors, we were once again able to provide travel awards for scientists to support their attendance at the meeting. I would also like to acknowledge the 2025 Merit Award recipient, Dr. Jun Kanno, who truly represents the spirit of this award throughout his distinguished career and his longstanding service to the IUTOX community.
The new Executive Committee will put a strong emphasis on the IUTOX objective of pursuing capacity building in toxicology, particularly in developing countries, to enhance toxicology education and the career development of young toxicologists. At the next SOT Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, in March 2026 we will once again organise a Global Collaboration Coffee on the highly topical subject of “Persistent and pervasive: tackling PFAS through science and policy—a global perspective”. The successful IUTOXtalks series of webinars will also recommence in 2026. The Risk Assessment Summer School is aimed in particular at early career scientists. Led by IUTOX Director Chan Kok Meng and Education Committee Chair Heather Wallace, this event will next take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in November 2026. Watch out for additional information as it becomes available!
The main activities of IUTOX relate to its congresses. Please put May 18–21, 2027 in your diaries for the 13th Congress of Toxicology in Developing Countries which is being organised by Anja Haveric and colleagues from the Genetic Association in Bosnia & Herzegovina and will take place in the beautiful and historic city of Sarajevo. Preparations are also underway for the 18th International Congress of Toxicology in Vancouver, Canada, June 11–14, 2028. Under the motto “Toxicology in a changing world”, Angela Hofstra and her colleagues from the Society of Toxicology Canada are putting together an exciting program which will make it an unforgettable destination.
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Looking further ahead, I am pleased to announce that the General Assembly in Beijing has selected the Malaysian Society of Toxicology to host the 14th Congress of Toxicology in Developing Countries in Kuala Lumpur in 2030. The 19th International Congress of Toxicology has been awarded to the German Society of Toxicology and will be held in the city of Leipzig in 2031. Congratulations to both societies!
Finally, I would like to express my personal thanks to José Manautou for his leadership of IUTOX over the past three years, to the colleagues on the Executive Committee, both old and new, and to Catherine Lamoureux, our Executive Director, for all the work that you have put in. I look forward to working with all of you, and the IUTOX community, over the coming years for the benefit of IUTOX and the science of toxicology worldwide.
