News Release

Society of Toxicology honors members for scientific achievements

Grant and Award Announcement

Society of Toxicology

Friday, February 15, 2013, Reston, VA — The Society of Toxicology will honor a number of exemplary scientists for their important achievements during formal ceremonies at the Society's Annual Meeting and ToxExpo, March 10-14, in San Antonio, TX.

Among those being honored for their seminal work are:

Wei Xu, PhD, associate professor oncology, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin. Dr. Xu is being awarded the Achievement Award for 2013 for her work analyzing the estrogen receptor regulatory network, defining the role and functions of these receptors and translating the research outcomes into a better understanding of how environmental estrogens might influence breast cancer outcomes and therapies. The Achievement Award recognizes Dr. Xu for her significant contributions to toxicology within 15 years since obtaining her highest earned degree (in the year of the Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology).

Moiz Mumtaz, PhD, science advisor at the Environmental Toxicology Branch, Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Dr. Mumtaz is being awarded the Arnold J. Lehman Award for his contributions to sound and credible science in characterizing risk. He is a highly respected member of the US government, national and international workgroups and committees charged with chemical risk assessment. He is being presented with this prestigious award for moving the field of regulatory toxicology and risk assessment significantly forward through innovative thinking and principled risk assessment practice.

John Lemasters, MD, PhD, professor and director Center for Cell Death, Injury and Regeneration, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. Dr. Lemasters is being presented the Distinguished Toxicology Scholar Award for his research concerning the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying toxic injury. He also is involved in researching organ preservation for transplantation of organs. The Distinguished Toxicology Scholar Award is being presented to him for his substantial and seminal scientific contributions to our understanding of the science of toxicology.

William Alfred Suk, PhD, MPH, director of the Superfund Hazardous Substance Basic Research and Training Program, and director of the Center for Risk and Integrated Sciences at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Dr. Suk is being honored with the Founders Award for his outstanding leadership in fostering the role of toxicological sciences in safety decision-making through the development and/or application of state-of-the-art approaches that elucidate, with a high degree of confidence, the distinctions for humans between safe and unsafe levels of exposures to chemical and physical agents.

Martin L. Stephens, PhD, senior research associate at the Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing. Prior to coming to Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Dr. Stephens was vice president for animal research issues at the Humane Society of the United States, where he directed the Society's efforts on behalf of animals in laboratories. He is being honored with the Enhancement of Animal Welfare Award in recognition of contributions he made to the advancement of toxicological science through the development and application of methods that replace, refine, or reduce the need for experimental animals. This award recognizes outstanding/significant contributions made by members of the Society of Toxicology to the scientifically sound and responsible use of animals in research.

Rick G. Schnellmann, PhD, a distinguished university professor and Chair, Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Schnellmann is being honored with the Education Award for his distinguished teaching and training of toxicologists and for his significant contributions to education in the broad field of toxicology. He has been the mentor for more than 40 graduate and postdoctoral fellows in his laboratory as well as host to numerous undergraduate students. He has focused on building a strong and consistent legacy of education that recognizes the value of training the next generation of toxicologists.

Donald E. Ingber, MD, PhD, founding director of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University and Boston's Children's Hospital. Dr. Ingber is being presented with the Leading Edge in Basic Science Award for his seminal scientific contributions and advances to understanding fundamental mechanisms of toxicity.

Frederick Peter Guengerich, PhD, Stanford Moore professor of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN. Guengerich is presented with the Merit Award for his research involving the metabolism of carcinogens and drugs by cyrochrome P450 enzymes, and the bioactivation of halogenated hydrocarbons. The Merit Award is presented to those scientists in recognition of his distinguished contributions to toxicology throughout his entire career in areas such as research, teaching, regulatory activities, consulting and service to the Society.

Marti Lindsey, PhD, director of the Community Outreach and Education Core, Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona College of Pharmacy. Dr. Lindsey is the recipient of the SOT Public Communications Award for her work to reach public audiences to educate them about the science of toxicology. She is nationally recognized for her success with outreach and communications to the Gila River Indian Community and the InterTribal Council of Arizona. Under her direction, the Community Outreach and /education Core develops materials related to the Center's research topics and the environmental health issues in the southwest. These topics include: arsenic exposure, asthma, cancer, chemicals and human health, diabetes, the environment, lead poisoning awareness, lung disease, organ damage from environmental exposures, risk and health and health issues related to solid and hazardous waste.

Herbert Needleman, medical doctor, child psychiatrist, professor and renowned scientist. Dr. Needleman was awarded the Toxicology Landmarks Program award for his seminal work on the neurodevelopmental damage caused by lead poisoning. He played a key role in securing important environmental health protections during the twentieth century, including the elimination of lead in gasoline, the lead in paint and the issuance of guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the diagnosis and management of lead poisoning in children. The Landmarks Program Award is presented to those scientists who have made significant contributions to the science of toxicology.

Sidhartha D. Ray, PhD, professor and chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manchester University College of Pharmacy, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Dr. Ray is being presented with the Undergraduate Educator Award for his outstanding contributions to the teaching of undergraduate students in toxicology and toxicology-related areas, and his efforts to support SOT's strategic efforts to "Build for the Future of Toxicology." In his 28 years of academic experience in pharmacy teaching and research he has trained numerous undergraduate and graduate students in toxicology. Over the last decade, he has contributed greatly to our knowledge on the toxicity of acetaminophen as well as a stunning variety of drugs and chemicals. His research has influenced the development of safety measures for a number of drugs and chemicals.

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