Did you know that the Society of Toxicology has assisted in funding summer undergraduate research interns for the past four years? The SOT 
is thrilled once again to offer funding to match that provided by the institution in summer 2016. We know that one of the best ways to encourage students to pursue graduate training and ultimately careers in toxicology is to provide undergraduates with research experience in the discipline.
Pictured are 2014 summer interns Hillary Markey (left) and Royce Nichols (center), who received travel funding to attend the 2015 SOT Annual Meeting, being congratulated by SOT 2013–2016 Councilor Myrtle Davis (right).
Interested institutions are encouraged to view the application for summer 2016 funding now available on the SOT website at Internship Program Support. The deadline for submission of materials is December 16. SOT provides 50% of the support for each intern and the students funded by SOT must be engaged in toxicology research with a mentor who is an SOT member. The host institution determines the selection procedures and defines the research program. The description of activities that support strong mentorship, seminar and presentation experience, peer group structure, as well as the assessment plan are important aspects of the application. We encourage hosts to consider students who have been selected for other SOT programs such as the Undergraduate Diversity Program. It is expected that SOT-supported interns will submit an abstract for the next SOT Annual Meeting and apply for any SOT travel awards for which they are eligible if they are able to collect sufficient data during the internship.
Laura Fisch at University of Montana
Laura Fisch was supported by SOT and the University of Montana last summer. She said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed working in the Center for Environmental Health Sciences under the direction of Dr. Andrij Holian. I have learned many new investigative skills while study in vitro nanoparticles exposures….The experience has been challenging and rewarding and I am thankful for the opportunity to receive guidance in pursuing a PhD. The support for my research experience that I have received from the Society of Toxicology is much appreciated.”
Help us inform undergraduates about internship opportunities in toxicology! SOT also maintains a listing of internship opportunities on the SOT website. Whether or not the program applies for SOT Intern funding, we ask that you send information about toxicology-related internship experiences in academia, government, and industry to Betty Eidemiller for inclusion in the listing.