The Society of Toxicology (SOT) has been dedicated to recognizing exceptional members with the Merit Award for over 45 years. This award is presented to a member of the Society who has distinguished him- or herself from among their peers through a lifetime of contributions to the field of Toxicology, specifically in the areas of research, teaching, regulatory activities, consulting, and service to the Society.
The 2015 SOT Merit Award recipient was Günter Oberdörster who is a pioneer in the field of research on aerosol behavior. He was recognized for his contributions to the understanding of the toxicity of nanomaterials, which earned him the name of the “Father of Nanotoxicology.” Dr. Oberdörster received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1964 and a PhD in Pharmacology in 1966 from the University of Giessen in Germany.
SOT 2015–2016 President Peter L. Goering (left) presents Günter Oberdörster (right) with the 2015 SOT Merit Award
Similar to many SOT Awards, nominations for the Merit Award require a primary and seconding letter of nomination from Full members of the Society that include documentation and description of the significant contributions to toxicology by the nominee as well as the nominee’s current curriculum vitae (CV). Please note that letters simply listing accomplishments found in the CV are not sufficient without analysis and discussion of the important contributions of the nominee and how these achievements meet the award criteria.
If you know a colleague and/or other distinguished scientists who deserve to be recognized, please begin the nomination process today by visiting the SOT Awards website! While nominations are accepted through October 9, 2015, you are welcome to submit the nomination materials well before the deadline. This award will be presented during the 2016 SOT Annual Meeting Awards Ceremony in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Previous Merit Award Recipients
- 1966 Henry F. Smyth, Jr.
- 1967 Arnold J. Lehman
- 1968 R. T. Williams
- 1969 Harold C. Hodge
- 1970 Don D. Irish
- 1971 Kenneth P. DuBois
- 1972 O. Garth Fitzhugh
- 1973 Herbert E. Stokinger
- 1974 William B. Deichmann
- 1975 Frederick Coulston
- 1976 Verald K. Rowe
- 1977 Harry W. Hays
- 1978 Julius M. Coon
- 1979 David W. Fassett
- 1980 Bernard L. Oser
- 1981 John H. Weisburger
- 1982 Harold M. Peck
- 1983 Perry J. Gehring
- 1984 Tom S. Miya
- 1985 Carrol S. Weil
- 1986 Ted A. Loomis
- 1987 Bo Holmstedt
- 1988 Seymour L. Friess
- 1989 Wayland J. Hayes, Jr.
- 1990 Sheldon D. Murphy
- 1991 Toshio Narahashi
- 1992 W. Norman Aldridge
- 1993 John Doull
- 1994 Ernest Hodgson
- 1995 Robert A. Scala
- 1996 Gabriel L. Plaa
- 1997 Mary O. Amdur
- 1998 John A. Thomas
- 1999 Thomas Clarkson
- 2000 Philippe Shubik
- 2001 Donald Reed
- 2002 Bernard Schwetz
- 2003 M. W. Anders
- 2004 Robert Goyer
- 2005 Roger McClellan
- 2006 A. Wallace Hayes
- 2007 James A. Swenberg
- 2008 Hanspeter Witschi
- 2009 Gary Williams
- 2010 Marion F. Ehrich
- 2011 Michael Aschner
- 2012 Curtis D. Klaassen
- 2013 Frederick Peter Guengerich
- 2014 Jay I. Goodman
- 2015 Günter Oberdörster