Wilfred Angie Abia was the course director of an “Intensive Risk Assessment Course” held May 26, 2012, in Yaounde, Cameroon. He joined SOT in 2008 and is a member of the Toxicologists of African Origin Special Interest Group.
The objectives of the course were as follows:
- To create a common platform for experience sharing on risk assessment, especially by all Cameroonians who have participated in risk assessment courses of any kind in the past
- To establish sustainable networks to discuss toxicology and risk assessment issues
- To initiate a risk assessment strategic plan (resolutions) for stakeholders on risk assessment in Cameroon
Mr. Abia is a past participant of Risk Assessment Summer School (RASS), an advanced training for selected post-graduate and postdoctoral toxicologists, sponsored by the International Union of Toxicology (IUTOX). Risk assessment is the ultimate purpose to which toxicological testing and evaluation is directed, providing the information for decision making by industry and governments (on behalf of the population at large).
Mr. Abia noted that he and many past IUTOX RASS students present at the workshop have continued to work with the IUTOX team led by IUTOX Secretary General Elaine Faustman. A number of topics have been identified for future courses, including the toxicology of pesticides, pesticides and veterinary drug residues, food contaminants, cosmetics, epidemiology, and exposure assessment.