Every member of SOT can be an educator, can be a mentor, and can communicate the value of toxicology.
The statement above reflects the vision of the Education Summit Organizing Team after more than a year of effort to focus future Society of Toxicology (SOT) programs and the actions of individual members. Recognizing that new paradigms for multidisciplinary, technologically complex, and collaborative approaches in toxicological sciences require shifts in recruitment, training, and retention of scientists, SOT hosted fifty thought leaders at the Toxicology Educational Summit in October 2011. The goal was to assess the challenges and develop recommendations for strengthening toxicology education at undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and professional levels to effectively equip toxicologists for success.
These recommendations were published in Toxicological Sciences "The Toxicology Education Summit: Building the Future of Toxicology Through Education" and were featured in the roundtable “The Future of Toxicology Education: Outcomes of the Toxicology Educational Summit” at the SOT 2012 Annual Meeting. Based on stimulating presentations by James S. Bus (SOT past president), Sally Rockey (NIH Deputy Director for Extramural Research), Victoria McGovern (the Burroughs Wellcome Fund), and other speakers, the preparatory work of the Education Summit Organizing Team, and in-depth discussion in break out groups, Summit participants tackled tough questions, provided insight on current realities, considered exemplary programs, and developed recommendations for further consideration. Links to all of the presentations and reports from the Education Summit are available on the Education Summit section of the website.
During the roundtable, Education Summit Chair Aaron Barchowsky presented an overview of challenges faced by toxicology, including recognition as an important integrative and viable field of endeavor. Deliberations and recommendations were grouped into five areas, and members of the Education Summit Organizing team—Gary P. Carlson, Mary Beth Genter, Stephen H. Safe, and Courtney E.W. Sulentic—provided perspectives. Insightful comments from the audience ranged from recognition of the valuable current education programs such as the undergraduate program to bring students to the SOT Annual Meeting, Toxicology Scholar campus visits, and mentoring activities like Chat with an Expert, to concern about the impact of declining funding on graduate training, suggestions for joint training efforts by industry and academia, and encouragement that SOT continue to position itself as a global resource.
In partnership with other entities—government, professional societies, and foundations—SOT can strive to increase educational opportunities and integrate toxicology principles in diverse curricula. Quality training and mentoring can support early career toxicologists and ensure a diverse workforce.
Recommendations will be provided to the SOT Council for further study and implementation.