Blogs

Upcoming Career Development Webinar on Pathways to Teaching in Higher Education

By Greg Landry posted 5 days ago

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The SOT Undergraduate Educator Network has announced an upcoming webinar focused on pathways to teaching in higher education. The free webinar , titled “ Preparing the Next Generation of Educators: Pathways and Professional Development in Higher Education Teaching ,” will take place Friday, June 12, 2026, at 12:00 noon (US EDT, UTC -4). Advance registration is not required ; simply join the webinar at the appointed time using this link . The webinar will h ighlight higher education teaching/education-based careers and career development opportunities. It will provide content that ...

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In Memoriam: John Eric Garst

By Dana Dolinoy posted 5 days ago

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SOT has learned that Emeritus member John Eric Garst passed away on April 23, 2026, after a short battle with aggressive cancer. Dr. Garst received h is PhD in medicinal chemistry with an emphasis on toxicology from the University of Iowa and joined SOT in 1986. For additional information, please see Dr. Garst’s obituary . This blog serves as an announcement of the member’s passing. Family, friends, and colleagues are welcome to develop a more detailed tribute for publication by SOT.  #InMemoriam

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Daniel A. Gorelick, Amie K. Lund, Fjodor Melnikov, and Alison Pecquet Elected to the SOT Nominating Committee

By Matthew Campen posted 5 days ago

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SOT is pleased to announce that Daniel A. Gorelick, PhD; Amie K. Lund, PhD ; Fjodor Melnikov, PhD; and Alison Pecquet, PhD, DABT, have been elected to serve on the Nominating Committee for 2026–2029 . These individuals bring experience from industry and academ ia , along with a shared commitment to thoughtful leadership, broad representation, scientific excellence, and the continued advancement of toxicology. From the Regional Chapters : Daniel A. Gorelick Dr. Gorelick is an Associate Professor with tenure at Baylor College of Medicine, where he leads a research program using zebrafish ...

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If a Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words, a Clear Graph Will Protect Your Science

By Johanna Elizabeth Ku posted 5 days ago

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During the last decade, we have seen the importance of scientists hav ing more presence in the media and engaging with non-scientific public. So, when one is requested to prepare a graph, it ’ s time to put on the amateur graphic designer coat. The task can be daunting, depending on the complexity of the topic. To help toxicologists improve their science communication skills, a group of experts organized the Engagement/Workshop Session titled “Science Simplified Through Graphics , ” where the presenters provided tools and strategies to attendees to transform their future presentations and graphics ...

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A Candid Look at the Communication Challenges Faced by Regulatory Toxicologists

By Samantha Musso posted 5 days ago

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In her Tiny Tox Talk, “Talking About Contamination in the Environment: A Toxicologist’s Challenge,” Evelyn Re á tegui- Zirena of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) offered a candid look at the communication challenges faced by regulatory toxicologists . To work at the intersection of science, public perception , and policy requires both technical expertise and emotional intelligence. The Realities of Regulatory Communication Toxicologists are challenged with streamlining scientific concepts without oversimplifying them, combating misinformation, and addressing the emotional responses ...

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How Exposure Pathways Reveal the True Human Impact of Chemicals

By Matthew Campen posted 5 days ago

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This   blog   is being shared under the   SOT Secretary ’ s   name as part of their official duties and should not be interpreted as their personal or professional opinions.     This blog was written by Talia Sager. At the 2026 Poster Session “ADME/ Toxicokinetics I,” I spoke with John Wambaugh , PhD, about his poster, “Route-Specific Variation of Systemic Bioavailability of Chemical Emissions,” and he shared fascinating insights into how the way a chemical enters the body dramatically shapes its potential health impact. Using high-throughput toxicokinetics (HTTK), specifically ...

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New Experiences in Toxicology (NEXT) Award: Learning How RNA Shapes Cancer Treatment Response

By Brittany Rickard posted 12 days ago

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My name is Brittany Rickard , and I’m a postdoctoral fellow at NC State University in the lab of Dr. Suzanne Fenton . My research evaluates the effects of environmental exposures , specifically perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) , on ovarian cancer cell response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Platinum resistance is a major barrier to the effective treatment of ovarian cancer; thus, the goal of this research is to pinpoint mechanisms driving resistance to develop targeted therapeutic approaches and identify novel , clinically relevant biomarkers that could predict treatment ...

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Around the World of Toxicology: May 2026 Activities Update

By Matthew Campen posted 12 days ago

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Each month, SOT provides an update on activities and events of importance to the toxicology community through the release of the “Around the World of Toxicology” blog. To submit an event, opportunity, or information for consideration for inclusion in the monthly “Around the World of Toxicology” blog, complete the special submission form for “Around the World of Toxicology” items . Please note that only activities by societies and professional associations (i.e., nonprofits) will be considered. If you are an organization or company seeking to promote an event, please submit your activity to the SOT “ Calendar of Events ...

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SOT Launches New Learning Library with 10 New CE Courses

By Kelly Almond-Abbate posted 12 days ago

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SOT is thrilled to announce a brand-new platform for Continuing Education (CE) courses alongside brand-new courses! SOT has launched the SOT Learning Library , a new learning management system (LMS), that houses an archive of more than 100 Continuing Education courses that the Society has hosted within the last 15 years. This catalog includes the newly released 2026 courses that were recorded during the 2026 Annual Meeting and ToxExpo . These new courses cover topics such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, risk assessments, carcinogenicity assays, and more. ...

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Introducing “Our Mentors”: A New Honorific for Those Who Shaped Us

By Ranulfo Lemus Olalde posted 12 days ago

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Some careers are built based on skills . Others are built because of people—the advisors, champions, and quiet encouragers who saw potential before it was proven. In recognition of those who impacted our careers , SOT is proud to announce the newest honorific in its Education Mission Fund Honorary Giving Campaign: “ Our Mentors .” My mentors, Drs. Meryl H. Karol and Thomas G. Akers, were pivotal to my career development and personal growth. They guide me not only by sharing their knowledge and expertise but by offering encouragement and opening doors. By acknowledging our mentors, we h ...

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Sarah A. Carratt, Tynisha D. Glover, and Kymberly M. Gowdy Elected to the SOT Membership Committee

By Matthew Campen posted 12 days ago

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SOT is pleased to announce that Sarah A. Carratt , PhD, DABT; Tynisha D. Glover, PhD; and Kymberly M. Gowdy, PhD, have been elected to serve on the 2026 – 202 9 Membership Committee. These individuals bring experience across industry and academia, along with a shared commitment to mentoring, member engagement, professional development, and strengthening the toxicology community. Sarah A. Carratt Dr. Carratt is a drug safety team lead and board -certified toxicologist at Pfizer. Within R&D, she leverages her cancer biology background and toxicology expertise to craft nonclinical ...

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From Contacts to Compass: Scientists Rethink Mentorship in a Networked Age

By Larissa Williams posted 12 days ago

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At a time when scientific careers are more nonlinear than ever, a growing chorus of voices is urging scientists to rethink a familiar concept: mentorship. During the “ Navigating Y our S cientific C areer: T he P ower of T ransforming N etwork into M entoring” session at the 2026 SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo , scientists across career stages gathered to explore how networking can be transformed into meaningful, enduring mentoring relationships. For many, mentorship begins early. For me , it started as a first-year undergraduate researcher where I was guided by Jacqueline Sinclair of ...

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Neurotoxic Metals: Old Exposures, New Questions

By Alexandra Del Favero-Campbell posted 12 days ago

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Heavy metals like lead and mercury are often thought of as “solved problems ” that we have tirelessly studied for decades. These are hazards we already understand and have learned to potentially control. But the “ Neurotoxicity: Metals ” P oster S ession at the 2026 SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo made one thing clear: metal neurotoxicity is far from a closed chapter . Instead, researchers are uncovering new ways that common, real ‑ world metal exposures may shape brain health across the lifespan. Across dozens of posters, a few clear themes emerged . First, many ...

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The Invisible Emissions of Dental 3D Printing

By Matthew Campen posted 12 days ago

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This blog is being shared under the SOT Secretary’s name as part of their official duties and should not be interpreted as their personal or professional opinions.    This blog was written by Talia Sager. I spoke with Qian Zhang , PhD, UL Research Institutes’ Chemical Insights , during the 2026 Poster Session “Mixtures” to learn about insights shared in her poster “Inhalation Exposure Risks from Resin 3D Printing Used in the Dental Field.” The presented work offers important considerations for air quality and exposure safety as the dental field increasingly relies on vat photopolymerization 3 ...

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Regulation and Policy Update: FY2026 and 2027 Budget Recommendations and the NIH Draft Strategic Plan

By James Luyendyk posted 19 days ago

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Throughout the year, SOT is approached by like-minded organizations to lend its support to varying issues and recommendations. This blog  contains  a summary of a recent action by SOT related to regulations and public policy. It also contains other policy items and opportunities that may be of interest to SOT members. Call for Members for the European Commission Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) The SCCS is seeking members to serve for the new 2027–2031 term. The SCCS provides independent scientific advice to the European Commission on issues related to the safety of consumer products, ...

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Investing in the Future: A Huge Shoutout to Our 2026 Undergraduate Program Volunteers

By Checo Rorie posted 19 days ago

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A huge shoutout to the 100+ SOT member volunteers who made the undergraduate activities at the SOT 65th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo a fantastic success! Your dedication to fostering the next generation of toxicologists is truly inspiring. To relive the highlights, be sure to check out the SOT Annual Meeting photo gallery for snapshots of our time together. Students talk with program representatives during the Open Time with Academic Toxicology Program Directors, Internship Sponsors, and SOT Special Interest Groups (SIGs) A Packed Weekend of Learning and Building Connections The energy this year was ...

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Strengthening the Pathways to Toxicology: Volunteer Opportunities with ABRCMS and SACNAS

By Checo Rorie posted 19 days ago

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As a scientific community, SOT is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for the next generation of toxicologists. Two organizations , ABRCMS and SACNAS , play a pivotal role in supporting students in STEM , including students from underrepresented backgrounds. Every year, these organizations seek the expertise of established scientists to mentor and inspire students and evaluate their work . By volunteering your time, you not only support these students’ professional growth but also help raise the profile of toxicology as a premier career path within these large scientific communities. ...

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A Sincere Thank You to the Volunteers!

By Cynthia Rider posted 19 days ago

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Did you know that April is National Volunteer Month? Now that is something to celebrate! Doubly amazing, it is also National Poetry Month. So, here is my attempt at a thank you poem to the wonderful volunteers of SOT. I apologize in advance to the poets of SOT. Thank you to the session developers whose passion for knowledge enriches us all. Thank you to the mentors who freely offer a piece of themselves. Thank you to the leaders who decide on the directions. Thank you to the poster judges who so considerately consider. Thank you to the newsletter writers who spread all the news. ...

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Melanie Abongwa, Scott S. Auerbach, R. Todd Bunch, Phoebe Stapleton, and Alessandro Venosa Elected to the SOT Awards Committee

By Matthew Campen posted 19 days ago

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SOT is pleased to announce that Melanie Abongwa , PhD, MBA; Scott S. Auerbach, PhD, DABT; R. Todd Bunch, PhD; Phoebe Stapleton, PhD, ATC; and Alessandro Venosa, PharmD, PhD, have been elected to serve three - year terms (2026 –2029) Awards Committee. Collectively, they bring experience from industry, academia, and government, along with strong commitments to scientific excellence, service, mentorship, and the advancement of toxicology. Melanie Abongwa Dr. Abongwa is a toxicologist at BlueRock Therapeutics in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In her role, she provides scientific and strategic ...

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Exploring Alternative Poster Layouts for More Effective Communication

By Samantha Musso posted 19 days ago

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Scientific posters may be a staple of academic conferences, but as Barb Kaplan humorously opened, “Posters are the world’s most awkward social experiment.” In her Tiny Tox Talk, “Plan and Prelection: Alternative Layouts and Effective Communication for Posters, ” Dr. Kaplan guided attendees through methods for designing posters that tell a clear story. Let the Story Drive the Layout Dr. Kaplan emphasized that an effective scientific poster integrates strong data with an equally strong oral presentation. Rather than “jumping around , ” she encouraged presenters to build around a clear theme, such as the subject area, ...

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