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2018–2019 International ToxScholar Awards Are Announced

By Rebecca Dearman posted 11-15-2018 11:27

  

The Education Committee is pleased to announce that there are two recipients of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) International ToxScholar funding for the year 2018–2019. The next application deadline is April 1, 2019. SOT members can apply by submitting a plan for research and career presentations that will be delivered to graduate and undergraduate students at academic institutions in developing nations to expand awareness of toxicology and promote toxicology careers around the globe.

Prathap Kumar S MahalingaiahPrathap Mahalingaiah, an employee at AbbVie, North Chicago, Illinois, plans to visit two veterinary colleges and a zoology department in three institutions in India this December. These include the Shivamogga and Bangalore campuses of Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fishery Sciences University in India and the Department of Zoology at the University College of Science, Tumkur University in Karnataka. Although these students are currently exposed to some toxicology, particularly veterinary pharmacology and toxicology, the toxicology element is relatively superficial. There are no stand-alone undergraduate research programs or opportunities in the toxicology field for veterinary students in India. Currently, zoologists have even less exposure to toxicology. The aim of his presentations is to create awareness and inspire young veterinarians and zoology graduates about the field of toxicology and the opportunities to successfully apply core veterinary and biology skills in toxicology careers.

Linval R DePassLinval DePass of Durect Corporation, Cupertino, California, has conducted a previous successful International ToxScholar visit in Jamaica. His current visit will be to the University of Havana Medical School in Cuba, where he will present lectures on toxicology and safety pharmacology to students and other professionals. He aims to build bridges between SOT and professional societies in various Hispanic countries, including Cuba. Therefore, in visiting Havana and interacting with students and professionals, Dr. DePass will be representing both the broader SOT and the Hispanic Organization of Toxicologists (HOT) Special Interest Group. The intention is to contribute to creating a critical mass of trained people in toxicology in Cuba. A secondary objective is the opportunity to train professional staff from other Latin American countries, especially in the Caribbean.

Braulio Jimenez arranged a previous ToxScholar visit to CubaSince its inception in 2010, 27 International ToxScholar visits have been completed, which resulted in 45 host institution visits in 21 countries, with many scholars visiting multiple institutions. Countries visited to date include Botswana, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Ethiopia, Georgia, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Moldova, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Romania, Serbia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Ukraine, and Uganda. Proposals to take toxicology to developing countries that have not yet had a visit are highly encouraged.

The program provides up to $1,250 for travel expenses. Matching funding from an SOT Component Group or other source is encouraged in order to support the visit. Feel free to contact the Education Committee if you have any questions.

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