submitted by Committee on Diversity Initiatives 2016–2017 Chair Judith T. Zelikoff
This year marked the 28th Annual Undergraduate Diversity Program at the Society of Toxicology (SOT) Annual Meeting.
SOT 2016–2017 President John B. Morris 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 program. Sunday activities involved nearly 100 additional undergraduates who registered for the Annual Meeting, including the 23 2017 Pfizer SOT Undergraduate Travel Award Recipients.
The success of this program is due in large part to the many dynamic volunteers who so generously give their time to teach and inspire the next generation of young scientists. The Committee on Diversity Initiatives (CDI), which oversees this program, would like to recognize and give special thanks to these wonderful program volunteers.
Icebreaker Winners celebrate wearing their ToxSquad bowler hats.
Speakers Antonio Baines, Patrick Allard, Yvonne Will, Marquea King, Michael McCabe, and Myrtle Davis provided special toxicology lectures, interactive sessions, and an inspirational career talk.
Michael McCabe (pictured above, standing) is guiding a mentor group through the interactive session discussion.
Program volunteer Kim Daniel provided vital program assistance in various areas, including helping with logistical details such as program registration, and guiding participants to the appropriate sessions.
Career Roundtable facilitators Antonio Baines, Angela Curry, Kimberly Hodge-Bell, Darryl Hood, José Manautou, Jorge Muniz Ortiz, Nathan Pechacek, Jennifer Rayner, Courtney Sulentic, René Viñas, and Xi Yang informed the students about career opportunities in toxicology and the differences in employment in industry, academia, or government settings.
Graduate Program Breakout Group facilitators Lauren Aleksunes, William Atchison, Alexandra Colon-Rodriguez, Megan Culbreth, Alexandra Lacey, Vivek Lawana, James Luyendyk, and Annelise Nguyen provided tips about applying to and being successful in graduate school from graduate student and academic advisor perspectives for the Student and Advisor sessions.
Host Mentors Chris Curran, Angela Curry, Aline DeConti, Vanessa Fitsanakis, Elena Hernandez-Ramon, Erin Hines, Kembra Howdeshell, Natalie Johnson, Marquea King, Zhoumeng Lin, James Luyendyk, Richard Nass, Jennifer Nyland, Monicah Otieno, Jennifer Rayner, Mindy Reynolds, and Jeff Wolt networked with undergraduates while providing them with guidance through the program and the perspectives of career toxicologists.
Peer Mentors Laila Al-Eryani, Jazmyne Barney, Heather Clair, Alexandra Colon-Rodriguez, Megan Culbreth, Alexandra Lacey, Vivek Lawana, Nicholas Lawrence, Suzanne Martos, Corie Robinson, Dharmin Rokad, Trey Saddler, Jessica Sapiro, Cody Smith, Banrida Wahlang, and Kaylin White led and inspired the students throughout the entire three-day program while providing their first-hand experiences of what graduate school is like.
Toxicology Topic Guides Lauren Amable, John Anetor, Melissa Badding, Erica Dashner-Titus, Sanket Gadhia, Dilshan Harischandra, Vivek Lawana, Richard Nass, Shreya Patel, Corie Robinson, Jessica Sapiro, and Kim Stratford led Undergraduate Program participants on Monday afternoon to visit scientific sessions and posters in particular toxicological areas of interest.
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.
During the open session with Academic Program Directors and Internship Sponsors, the undergraduates had the opportunity to meet with Academic Program Directors of 30 programs from across the United States to learn about various graduate school programs or summer internship opportunities.
Pictured above undergraduates network and learn about graduate school programs during the open session with Academic Program Directors and Internship Sponsors.
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 on what a wonderful and affirming experience they had during the Undergraduate Program, and how valuable the experience will be as they plan career paths and consider pursuing advanced degrees.