Postdocs found their Annual Meeting schedules packed full as they took in all the 2013 gathering offered to all SOT scientists, in addition to sponsoring or hosting eight events targeting the interests of SOT postdocs and students. The scientific session, sponsored jointly by the Postdoctoral Assembly (PDA) and Graduate Student Leadership Committee (GSLC) on the “Role of Systems Biology in Characterizing Risk of Developmental Origins of Disease,” was chaired by 2012–2013 PDA Vice Chair David Szabo and was well attended and well received.
There were two PDA–Sponsored Education and Career Development Sessions. “The Symbiosis of Mentoring: Getting the Most out of the Mentor-Mentee Relationship,” was chaired by PDA 2012–2013 Councilor Bethany Hannas and Treasurer Kelly Chandler. This session enhanced the theme of other Annual Meeting events on mentoring and was highly ranked by all attendees. The second Education and Career Development Session was chaired by Betina Lew, 2009–2010 PDA Chair. This career exploration session was focused on “Regulatory Science and Risk Assessment: Lessons for Early-Career Scientists on What to Expect and How to Pursue This Career Path.” Insights were shared by scientists from a variety of backgrounds in the field.
PDA offered the successful Poster Tours for Trainees for a second year. Chaired by Northern California Postdoc Representative Kathryn Page, 30 SOT experts and almost 100 trainees signed up for the 2013 poster tours. The groups met at the SOT Pavilion just inside ToxExpo and, in addition to visiting posters, trainees found the opportunity to network and get expert career advice with their guide and colleagues. Almost 90 percent of participants said they would recommend Poster Tours for Trainees to a colleague.
The Postdoctoral Assembly Luncheon provided postdocs with an opportunity to get together in an informal atmosphere, network, and celebrate accomplishments. Petra Haberzettl, Anne Loccisano, and Yuanyuan Xu were presented with Best Postdoctoral Publication Awards and SOT Specialty Section, Regional Chapter, and Special Interest Group Postdoc Awardees were recognized. The occasion was enhanced by a great meal and a wide variety of door prizes.
Trainees also had the privilege of meeting in an intimate setting with both the Plenary Lecturer Bruce A. Beutler and the MRC Lecturer Jeremy K. Nicholson following their talks. PDA Vice Chair Dr. Szabo hosted the Trainee Session with the Plenary Lecturer on Monday and PDA Chair Enrique Fuentes Mattei hosted the Trainee Discussion with the MRC Lecturer on the Wednesday of the Annual Meeting.
Perhaps the most unique Annual Meeting event offered by the PDA was the workshop they sponsored on “Tools for Bringing Creativity into Your Scientific Research.” Given by Professor Rodney Dietert, Cornell University, and Janice Dietert, Performance Plus Consulting, the workshop offer trainees creative ideas on how to overcome roadblocks in research through nonlinear approaches to problem solving. Hands–on exercises using a variety of creative outlets, including meditation and playing with Legos ®, gave participants ideas for new approaches for dealing with the mental barriers encountered by researchers in their work. As a bonus, participants each left with their own bag of Legos.
SOT Annual Meetings provide a forum where toxicologists come together to share novel discoveries and achievements in research and education. At the 2013 meeting the SOT Postdoctoral Assembly contributed a variety of activities designed to enhance the Annual Meeting experience for their membership.