Newswise — Reston, Va.; December 9, 2014 — The Society of Toxicology (SOT) — the world’s largest and preeminent association representing the field of toxicology — is recognizing the field’s top researchers and scientists today through the announcement of recipients of 2015 SOT Awards that honor individuals who are advancing the field of toxicology.
- Andrew D. Maynard, PhD, University of Michigan Department of Environmental Health Sciences, is being honored with the 2015 SOT Public Communications Award. This honor is awarded to an individual who has made a major contribution to broadening the awareness of the general public on toxicological issues through any aspect of public communications. Part of Dr. Maynard’s work at the University of Michigan has focused on making the science of risk assessment accessible to non-scientists through a number of communications initiatives, including social media and video.
- Marcel Leist, PhD, University of Konstanz, Germany, is being awarded the 2015 SOT Enhancement of Animal Welfare Award. This award honors a SOT member for contributions made to the advancement of toxicological science through the development and application of methods that replace, refine, or reduce the need for experimental animals. Dr. Leist’s laboratory focuses on in vitro toxicology, specifically mechanisms and systems related to neurotoxicity.
- Richard A. Becker, PhD, DABT, American Chemistry Council, is receiving the 2015 SOT Arnold J. Lehman Award. This award recognizes a SOT member who has made a major contribution to risk assessment and/or the regulation of chemical agents. Dr. Becker has made numerous, substantive enhancements to the field of risk assessment to ensure that chemical testing is using balanced, relevant data and tests to determine potential risks.
- Vishal S. Vaidya, PhD, Harvard Medical School, is being recognized with the 2015 SOT Achievement Award. This award is given to a SOT member who has made significant contributions to toxicology within 15 years of obtaining his/her highest earned degree. Dr. Vaidya’s work focuses on understanding kidney toxicity, damage, and disease.
“The 2015 SOT Award recipients are comprised of scientists at the forefront of our field. These individuals are making significant, lasting contributions to toxicology — from the development of new testing methods to communicating with the public about the importance of toxicological testing to human health and safety,” says Norbert E. Kaminski, PhD, SOT President 2014–2015.
“The Society is committed to discovering the best methods for evaluating the safety of diverse biological agents, which includes finding alternative methods to traditional animal testing,” Dr. Kaminski continues. “With the generous support of Colgate-Palmolive, SOT is able to support research into alternative testing methods through a number of grants and awards each year, and this year’s award recipients have proposed projects that will hopefully further the efficiency and effectiveness of these tests.”
Colgate-Palmolive has been supporting SOT Awards dedicated to the development of alternative testing methods that reduce, replace, or refine the use of animals in toxicological research since 1988. Recipients of 2015 SOT Colgate-Palmolive-sponsored Awards are:
- Alfredo Miranda de Goes, PhD, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, and Lei Li Kerr, Miami University, who are each receiving a 2015 SOT Colgate-Palmolive Grant for Alternative Research. These grants of up to $40,000 are awarded to scientists at any career level to support efforts that promote, develop, refine, or validate scientifically acceptable animal alternative methods to facilitate the safety assessment of new chemicals and formulations.
- Fabian A. Grimm, PhD, Texas A&M University, who is being honored with the 2015 SOT Colgate-Palmolive Postdoctoral Fellowship Award in In Vitro Toxicology. This award of up to $44,000 is designed to help postdoctoral trainees advance the development of alternatives to animal testing in toxicological research.
- Prajakta Shimpi, MS, University of Rhode Island, who is being awarded a 2015 SOT Colgate-Palmolive Award for Student Research Training in Alternative Methods. This award provides students with the opportunity to receive training using in vitro methods or alternative techniques to reduce, replace, or refine the use of animals in toxicological research.
The field of toxicology and toxicologists are responsible for aiding human, animal, and environmental health and safety through the study of the adverse effects of chemicals and other biological agents.
All 2015 SOT Award recipients will be honored at the Society’s 54th Annual Meeting & ToxExpo in San Diego, California, from March 22–26, 2015.
Additional recipients of 2015 SOT Awards, including more top scientists, educators, and students, will be announced throughout the rest of the week. Previously announced award recipients are:
- 2015 SOT Distinguished Toxicology Scholar Award: Ian Kimber, OBE, PhD, FSB, FBTS, ATS, University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
- 2015 SOT Merit Award: Günter Oberdörster, DVM, PhD, University of Rochester Medical Center.
- 2015 SOT Translational Impact Award: Jeff Burgess, MD, MS, MPH, University of Arizona.
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About SOT Awards & HonorsThe Society of Toxicology (SOT) Awards program recognizes and assists distinguished toxicologists and students each year based on merit — if a worthy recipient is not identified for a given award in a year, the prize will not be awarded that year. In 1962, the Society inducted its first honorary members, establishing its honors program. In 1965, the SOT Awards program was created with the establishment of two awards, the SOT Merit Award and the SOT Achievement Award, to support “the furtherance of the science of toxicology.” Today, the Society presents more than 20 awards that recognize achievement, facilitate travel for senior and budding scientists, and further toxicological research. The SOT Awards program supports the Society’s mission to create a safer and healthier world by advancing the science of toxicology. Hashtag: #SOTAwards
About SOT and Animal TestingIn 1986, the Society of Toxicology adopted a position statement regarding the use of animals in toxicology. It stated the Society’s commitment to the responsible use of laboratory animals in toxicological research and testing; the development and use of alternatives to the use of animals; the use of research designs that employ less painful or stressful procedures and improve animal care; and the reduction in the number of animals used for research and testing when scientifically appropriate and valid. In 1989, the Society of Toxicology furthered its commitment to the responsible use of animals in research by adopting a set of guiding principles for the use of animals in toxicology.
About SOTFounded in 1961, the Society of Toxicology (SOT) is a professional and scholarly organization of more than 7,800 scientists from academic institutions, government, and industry representing the great variety of individuals who practice toxicology in the US and abroad. SOT is committed to creating a safer and healthier world by advancing the science of toxicology. The Society promotes the acquisition and utilization of knowledge in toxicology, aids in the protection of public health, and has a strong commitment to education in toxicology and to the recruitment of students and new members into the profession. For more information about SOT and toxicology, visit the Society online at www.toxicology.org, follow us on Twitter @SOToxicology, and like us on Facebook.
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