Karilyn Sant is a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Massachusetts in the Environmental Health Sciences Department. Her research investigates how preconception and developmental exposures to endocrine disrupting compounds alter pancreatic organogenesis and embryonic nutrition, and how these exposures may predispose to metabolic dysfunction throughout the lifecourse. She received her BS, MPH, and PhD from the University of Michigan, and she currently serves at the SOT Molecular & Systems Biology Specialty Section Postdoctoral Representative.
The 2017 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) and Seminar (GRS) on Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity were held August 12-13 (GRS) and 13-18 (GRC) at the Proctor Academy in Andover, NH. This week-long event brings together toxicologists and environmental health scientists from around the globe to discuss emerging toxicological concerns and cutting-edge technologies and research. This year’s GRC highlighted sessions on toxicogenomics, circadian rhythm and gut microbiota, xenobiotic receptors, and humanized models.
I had the privilege of co-chairing the all-trainee 2017 GRS with Dr. Alessandro Venosa, University of Pennsylvania). This year, the GRS keynote session highlighted research conducted by Drs. Stephanie Shore (Harvard University) and Tamara Tal (US EPA) on toxicant-microbiome interactions during development. The GRS also provided 11 postdocs and graduate students the opportunity to present their work during platform sessions, and all trainees were able to have powerful conversations during the poster sessions.
To conclude the GRS, we ended with a professional development session on Data Rigor and Reproducibility in Toxicology, with presentations from experts Drs. Glenn Begley (CEO of BioCurate), Shaun McCullough (US EPA), and Radhika Dhingra (US EPA). Dr. Venosa and I were amazed by the enthusiasm and dedication of the attendees—we were at maximum registration more than two months before the registration deadline. Thank you to all who participated this year!
We, the GRC family, would like to thank the Society of Toxicology for its continued support over the years, ensuring the continuity and success of this conference. The next GRC & GRS on Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity will be held in August 2019. The GRC will be chaired by SOT members Drs. John Richburg (University of Texas) and Rhiannon Hardwick (Theravance), and the GRS will be chaired by SOT members Drs. Phil Wages (Vanderbilt University) and Emma Bowers (University of Arizona). We hope to see many returning and new faces at the 2019 meeting!
The GRC and GRS provide unique opportunities for researchers, including many SOT members to come together, present their latest research, and build their professional networks with peers. The GRS is organized by young researchers in coordination with the GRC planning team. The GRS provides SOT Postdocs who participate in organizing the conferences with valuable professional development opportunities including leadership experience.