Submitted by SOT 2014–2015 Past President Lois D. Lehman-McKeeman
Shawn Douglas Lamb has served as Executive Director for the Society of Toxicology (SOT) since 1993, retiring December 31, 2014. Under her vigilant eye, the Society has grown from an international membership of 3,000 to a vigorous society of more than 7,800 members. As Executive Director, she has worked with 21 different SOT Presidents and Councils, contributed broadly to the Society’s strategic planning, governance, growth, and outreach, and she has made personal contributions—too many to count—to the success of the Society.
In fact, as Council members rotate on and off and the Presidential Chain is new each year, Ms. Lamb has been the single constant factor in the Society’s leadership over the past two decades. She has had a direct impact on every initiative undertaken or proposed by each SOT Council, Committee and Subcommittee, Task Force, or other ad hoc group. Her tireless dedication and steadfast support of these groups are paralleled only by her outstanding leadership. Ms. Lamb has demonstrated an uncanny ability to understand the complex challenges that face our Society. Her polished organizational skill has provided options towards solutions for any obstacles that have been encountered.
In addition to the role she has played within SOT, Ms. Lamb has been working with the global toxicological community for many years. She has an international reputation and stature in toxicology. She has worked as the Executive Director of IUTOX, the International Union of Toxicology. As the Founder of Association, Innovation, and Management, Inc. (AIM), an association management company focused on providing a complete and broad array of administrative services to professional scientifically based client associations, she has shared our mission to improve human and environmental health.
Honorary membership in the SOT is designed to recognize non-members who “embody outstanding and sustained achievements in the field of toxicology.” We often honor those individuals who have made noteworthy contributions through research and education in the science. Ms. Lamb has developed international recognition as a collaborative voice for toxicologists. As an administrative leader of the Society, she has been a stalwart supporter of the growth and vitality of our Society. As with our other distinguished honorees who achieved recognition through their research, she has been extremely influential for our science. Given the breadth of her contributions in support of toxicology, it is only fitting that the SOT bestows Honorary Membership to Shawn Douglas Lamb.
The presentation of this honor will occur at the 2015 SOT Awards Ceremony to be held on Sunday, March 22, 2015, at the San Diego Convention Center.