Toxicology Track

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

February 11, 2008, Vol. 31, Number 6

Seminars this week / Seminars Upcoming /
Trainee Enrichment and Professional Development / Positions

Seminars this week

Tuesday, February 12
The Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Department presents Kenneth Rock, University of Massachusetts Medical School, to speak on “Sensing and Responding to Cell Death” on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. in 1415 Biomedical Physical Sciences.

Wednesday, February 13
*The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition presents Dr. Peter Mancuso, University of Michigan,to speak on “Leptin, an Adipocyte Derived Hormone that Regulates Pulmonary Innate Immune Responses” on Wednesday, Febrary 13, 2008 at 4 p.m. in 1135 S. Anthony Hall.

Thursday, February 14
*The CIT and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology present Dr. Joel Pounds, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, to speak on "Systems Toxicology of Engineered Nanomaterials" 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 at Distinguished Scholars Lecture.

*The Department of Epidemiology presents Dr. Anne Sweely, The Commonwealth Medical College (proposed), to speak on “Endocrine Active Compounds & Reproductive Effects” on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. in the Patenge Room, C102 East Fee Hall.

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

Seminars Upcoming

*The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program presents Dr. Sean Mooney, Indiana University, to speak on “Understanding the Biochemical Effects Nonsinonymous SNPS and Mutations” on Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. in 101 Biochemistry.

*The Respiratory Research Initiative presents Dr. Elizabeth Gardner, Food Science and Human Nutrition, MSU, to speak on “Age Related Changes in Natural Killer Cells After Primary Influenza Infection in Mice” on Friday, February 22, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. in 162 Food Safety and Toxicology.

*The Respiratory Research Initiative presents Dr. Mary Lee Hultin, Air Quality Division, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, to speak on “Translating Research Into Regulation” on Friday, March 7, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. in 162 Food Safety and Toxicology.

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

Trainee Enrichment and Professional Development

The Graduate School presents the following workshops and seminars open to all MSU graduate students. A calendar of these workshops is also available at http://www.grad.msu.edu/stuwork.htm.

“Networking for Ph.D.'s: Building Relationships for Your Future” on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 from 5 to 7 p.m. in 6 Student Services. For more information and to register, go to http://grad.msu.edu/current/jobseries.htm.

“Thesis/Dissertation Formatting and Graduation Requirements” on Thursday, February 14, 2008 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Kellogg Center. For more information and to register, go to http://www.grad.msu.edu/pdf/TD%20F07.pdf

“Objectivity & Conflicting Interests in Academic Research” on Thursday, February 28, 2008 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Room, Kellogg Center.  For more information and to register, go to http://grad.msu.edu/all/respconduct.htm.

“From CV to Resume: Developing Written Credentials for Nonacademic Positions” on Thursday, March 19, 2008 from 5 to 7 p.m. in 6 Student Services. For more information and to register, go to http://grad.msu.edu/current/jobseries.htm.

“Mastering the Interview” on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 from 5 to 7 p.m. in 6 Student Services. For more information and to register, go to http://grad.msu.edu/current/jobseries.htm#interview.

“Identify the Obstacles To Your Thesis/Dissertation” on Saturday, March 29, 2008. For more information and to register, go to http://www.grad.msu.edu/stuwork.htm.

“Translating Academic Success into Expanded Career Opportunities in Agencies, Industry, and Academia” on Saturday, April 5, 2008 in Big Ten B, Kellogg Center. For more information and to register, go to http://grad.msu.edu/professional.htm.

Positions

The National Toxicology Program seeks applicants for a Health Scientist position with scientific expertise in the areas of chemistry, biology, toxicology, epidemiology or environmental health sciences needed for the preparation of the Report on Carcinogens.  The preparation of the Report on Carcinogens is a multi-step process that includes the identification of nominations for evaluation, rigorous scientific review by multiple committees with opportunity for public comment, and publication of the Report on Carcinogens.  You will participate in all aspects of the review process in collaboration with other Report on Carcinogens staff and with support from the Report on Carcinogens Contractor.  You will manage the research support contract; direct the Contractor in the preparation of the scientific review documents that are used for hazard identification; participate in the scientific review meetings; prepare memos, briefings and respond to public comments; serve as a scientific expert; review scientific journals, abstracts and unpublished manuscripts and attend conferences, meetings and lectures on subjects of relevance to the Report on Carcinogens. The salary is $80,168.00 to $123,152.00 per year. For application instructions go to http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9nih.asp and use position #NIEHS-08-237194-DE.

Dr. Monique Dubé (Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair, Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan) and Dr. Som Niyogi (Assistant Professor, Biology Department, University of Saskatchewan) are seeking independent, resourceful, and motivated individuals to collaborate on a doctoral research project on the examination of the effects of mixtures, metals, and toxicity modifying factors on fathead minnows in Ontario. The objectives of the doctoral research program are: 1. To confirm responses of fathead minnow adults and larvae to metal mine effluents in Ontario using self-sustaining multi-trophic level bioassays in a field-based application; 2. To contrast and compare response patterns to whole effluent mixtures relative to effluent-equivalent doses of single metals such as selenium, thallium and copper; 3. To explore factors with the potential to modify toxicity of effluent mixtures and dominant single metals (Cu, Se, Tl) to fathead minnow including increased dissolved organic carbon, altered pH, and increased food supply. The research will be based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada with a two month field program in the first year in Ontario, Canada. Send your CV, a statement of research interests, a statement of career ambitions, and transcripts to: Robyn Pollock, Toxicology Centre, 44 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B3, Fax: (306)931-1664, E-mail: robyn.pollock@usask.ca.

The University of Saskatchewan, Toxicology Centre, are seeking M.Sc. and Ph.D. students to develop approaches for cumulative effects assessment in several Canadian watersheds. The approach includes: 1) comparative analysis of provincial water quality using objective-based versus reference-based approaches; 2) comparative evaluation of relationships between indicators of water quality and biological response variables (benthic invertebrates, sentinel fish species); and 3) development of quantitative multi-variate and spatial analysis approaches to evaluate cumulative effect relationships between landscape stressors and indicators of aquatic condition. Send your CV, a statement of research interests, a statement of career ambitions, and transcripts to: Robyn Pollock, Toxicology Centre, 44 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B3, Fax: (306)931-1664, E-mail: robyn.pollock@usask.ca.

The Washington State Department of Health is accepting applications for a Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist 4 to work in the Office of Environmental Helath Assessments, Site Assessment Section. To learn more about the Office to to http://doh.wa.gov/ehp/oehas/default.htm. A minimum of a bachelor's degree is required. Salary is $44,928-$58,944. Application deadline is February 25, 2008. For instructions on how to apply, email or call: linda.riggle@doh.wa.gov; 360-236-4226.