Toxicology Track

Weekly Newsletter of the MSU Center for Integrative Toxicology
Director: Norbert Kaminski/Editor: Lois Furry

January 8, 2008, Vol. 31, Number 1

Seminars this week / Seminars Upcoming / Course Announcement / Positions

Seminars this week

The Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Department presents Brian Hammer to speak on “Shedding light on quorum sensing in pandemic Vibrio cholerae” on Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 9 a.m. in 1425 Biomedical Physical Sciences.

Seminars Upcoming

The Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Department presents Alison Criss, MSU, to speak on “Subversion of host immune responses by Neisseria gonorrhoeae” on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 9 a.m. in 1425 Biomedical Physical Sciences.

The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology present Glenn Toney, Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, to speak on "Understanding salt-sensitive hypertension: What neural mechanisms link elevated plasma sodium with sympathetic activation?" on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 12:00 noon in B448-449 Life Sciences.

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition present Pamela Fraker, MSU, to speak on “The Rapid Impact of Nutritional Status on the Neuroimmune System” on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 4 p.m. in 1135 S. Anthony Hall.

*The CIT presents Drs. Scott Loveless and Robert Rickard, Dupont, to speak on “An Internal-Dose Approach to the Risk Assessment of Perfluoroocatanoic Acid (PFOA) - A Biopersistent Chemical” on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. in 162 Food Safety and Toxicology. Lunch will be provided. More information will be posted at http://www.cit.msu.edu.

*The CIT and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology present Dr. Joel Pounds, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, to speak on Thursday, February 14, 2008 11:30 a.m. in 101 Biochemistry. This is the second talk in the annual Distinguished Scholars in Toxicology Lecture Series. More information will be posted at http://www.cit.msu.edu.

*Fulfills seminar requirements for the Environmental and Integrative Toxicological Sciences Graduate Programs. Seminars that fulfill this requirement are archived at seminars.

Course Announcement

VM820 (or GEN800): Genetic Therapy. This is a 1 credit seminar course in which students will be asked to present papers. Moderators are Drs. Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan and Andrea Amalfitano. The course material will emphasize benefits and limitations, including adverse effects of gene therapy. This course is approved for the Topics in Toxicology requirement for the EITS doctoral program (Toxicology Track). For more information contact Dr. Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan at 5-6463, x. 1562, yuzbasiyan@cvm.msu.edu.

Positions

Residency Training Position in Veterinary Anatomic & Toxicologic Pathology. The Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation at Michigan State University (MSU) is seeking applications for a 3.25-year residency position in veterinary anatomic pathology, beginning July 1, 2008. The initial 2 years of training for Anatomic and Toxicologic Pathology residents is based in the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, which receives 12,000 plus necropsy and surgical pathology accessions per year from a diversity of animal species. The final 1.25 years of training is based at MPI Research Laboratory; during this period residents receive training in good laboratory practices, laboratory animal pathology, and drug safety evaluation study experience. The anatomic and toxicologic pathology residency partially fulfills the requirements for board certification by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, and provides a unique training experience for residents interested in a career in the pharmaceutical industry. Opportunities to enter a PhD program upon completion of the residency depend on the availability of funding in the department. Applicants must possess a DVM or equivalent degree. Application should include: curriculum vitae, official veterinary college transcripts with cumulative grade point average and class standing, a statement of career goals, 3 letters of reference and GRE scores. Please send application materials to Dr. Jennifer Thomas, Acting Chairperson, Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, 4125 Beaumont Road, Room 201B, Lansing, MI 48910-8107. Applications will be accepted until October 29, 2007, or until acceptable candidates are identified. For additional information email Dr. Jennifer Thomas at thomas@dcpah.msu.edu or Dr. Scott Fitzgerald, Resident Program Coordinator at fitzgerald@dcpah.msu.edu.

Environmental Protection Agency Toxicologist Trainee positions are available in the Student Career Experience Program. This program provides students with paid part-time, semester-length, seasonal, or summer trainee employment leading to non-competitive eligibility for appointment to the target position upon successful completion of at least 640 hours of on-the-job training and receipt of their degree. Positions are available in the following program offices: Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance: OECA enforces US environmental laws while inspiring the regulated community to pursue pollution prevention. Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances: OPPTS regulates pesticides and industrial chemicals to ensure protection of public health and the environment, as well as assessing their risks and promoting innovative programs to prevent pollution. Toxicologist trainees work for the National Enforcement Investigations Center (NEIC) in Denver, CO, EPA’s environmental forensic enforcement laboratory, or at Headquarters in Washington, DC. NEIC positions provide laboratory biochemical/biophysical analysis of samples taken to support emerging forensic methodologies for EPA and state environmental enforcement cases, involving highly technical analysis, knowledge of toxicological principles, and knowledge of modern biochemical and/or biophysical instrumentation, and conducting literature research and analyses in support of high-profile case work in forensic toxicology. Washington, DC positions provide scientific analysis to support pesticide registration and evaluating toxic chemical risks, including reviewing data, testing protocols, and related information submitted by registrants and doing literature searches and modeling to assess risks of new industrial chemicals and pesticides. Only majors related to toxicology, such as toxicology, biochemistry, biophysics, physiology and pharmacology are eligible. Positions are available at any time during the year and the pay is $18.66 to $22.83/hr depending on location and whether the student is a master’s or doctoral candidate. Work schedule is flexible. Benefits include annual and sick leave, health insurance, and retirement. Students gain on-the-job training and experience and preview a career choice. Upon graduation and successful completion of the work requirement, students gain non-competitive eligibility for appointment to the Federal service in the target position. Qualifications Required: U.S. Citizen. Enrolled at least half-time in a degree-granting program at an accredited college or university. At least a 2.95 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Recommended by university faculty. Basic background investigation. To apply: provide resume, cover letter, current official transcript, recommendation, and writing sample to: Roberta Miller, OECA SCEP Director, MC-2231A, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20460, (202) 564-4116; (202) 501-0599 (fax).