Pictured above Icebreaker Winners celebrate with their ToxSquad bowler hats.
by Jorge Naciff, 2015-2016 Chair, Committee on Diversity Initiatives
This year marked the 27th Annual Undergraduate Diversity Program at the Society of Toxicology (SOT) Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, Louisiana.
SOT 2015–2016 President Peter L. Goering welcomed participants to this three-day program created for undergraduates to increase awareness of toxicology as a science and as a career, encourage the pursuit of advanced degrees in biomedical sciences, and improve knowledge of basic principles and concepts in toxicology.
Thirty-six outstanding undergraduates and five advisors were selected to attend this year’s program. Additionally, over fifty undergraduates joined the travel award recipients for the open Sunday activities. The Sunday program is open to any undergraduate student who registered for the Annual Meeting, including the 2016 Pfizer SOT Undergraduate Travel Award Recipients.
The success of this program is due in large part to over fifty dynamic volunteers who so generously gave their time to teach and inspire the next generation of young scientists during the SOT Annual Meeting. The Committee on Diversity Initiatives (CDI) would like to recognize and give special thanks to these wonderful program volunteers.
Deborah Cory-Slechta is presenting her research on air pollution to the students.
Speakers: SOT 2013–2014 President Lois D. Lehman-McKeeman, Marquea King, Antonio Baines, Deborah Cory-Slechta, Vanessa De La Rosa, Mindy Reynolds, and SOT 2008–2009 President Kenneth S. Ramos provided special toxicology lectures, interactive sessions, and inspirational career talks.
Program volunteers: William D. Atchison, Kim Daniel, and Yasmeen Nkrumah-Elie provided vital program assistance in various areas, including facilitating breakout sessions, leading the opening program icebreaker, and helping with logistical details.
Career Roundtable discussants: Darryl Hood, Xi Yang, René Vinãs, Antonio Baines, Jorge Muniz Ortiz, Jennifer L. Rayner, Courtney Sulentic, Ines Pagan, Xabier Arzuaga, and Christopher Stewart informed the students about career opportunities in toxicology and the differences in employment in industry, academia, or government settings.
Graduate Program Breakout Group facilitators: Pamela B. Tijerina, Jessica M. Sapiro, Lauren M. Alksunes, T. Annelise Nguyen, James P. Luyendyk, and Megan Culbreth provided tips about applying to and being successful in graduate school from graduate student and academic advisor perspectives.
Mentor groups pose together in photos during the Undergraduate Program Opening Event.
Host Mentors: Marquea King, Adrian Nanez, Jennifer L. Rayner, Kristini Miles, Kathryn E. Page, Mindy Reynolds, Yasmeen Nkrumah-Elie, and Natalie Johnson, and Peer Mentors: Alexandra Colón-Rodriguez, Phillip Brooks, Vivek Lawana, Suzanne N. Martos, Jessica Sapiro, Kristal A. Rychlik, Allan Somers, and Pamella Tijerina led and inspired the students throughout the entire three-day program.
These dedicated mentors will continue to keep in contact with their mentor group students throughout their undergraduate studies and be a resource to them as they consider career paths and advanced degrees.
The CDI also is grateful for the Sunday Program volunteer Mentors and Topic Guides who engaged with students during the Sunday Undergraduate Education Program.
CDI and these students were very fortunate to have leading toxicologists take this extensive amount of time to share their knowledge and professional development experiences with them. Many of this year’s participants have reported back on what a wonderful and affirming experience they had during the Undergraduate Program, and how valuable the experience will be as they look ahead to plan career paths and consider pursuing advanced degrees.