Toxicology Track

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

April 2 , 2007, Vol. 30, Number 13

Seminars/Publications/Conferences/Short Course/Positions/

Seminars

*The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology presents F. Peter Guengerich, Ph.D., Director, Center in Molecular Toxicology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, to speak on "Reactions of DNA with Carcinogens and Consequences with DNA Polymerases" on Wednesday, April 4, 2007 from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. in 1400 Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building.  Dr. Guengerich is a candidate for the BMB chair position. 

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering presents Albert Kim University of Hawaii at Manoa to speak on "Permeate Flus Inflection Due to Concentration Polarization in Crossflow Membrane Filtration" on Thursday, April 5, 2007 at 4:10 p.m. in 2320 Engineering Building.

*The Department of Chemistry presents Dr. Mary Kaiser from the DuPont Experimental Station to speak on "Perfluorocarboxylates in the Environment: Where did They Come From?" on Friday, April 13, 2007 at 12:30 p.m. in 136 Chemistry.  CIT affiliated faculty wishing to meet with Dr. Kaiser during that day are encouraged to contact Victoria McGuffin (mcguffin@msu.edu).

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

Publications

Identifying the genetic basis of ecologically and biotechnologically useful functions of the bacterium Burkholderia vietnamiensis. O'sullivan LA, Weightman AJ, Jones TH, Marchbank AM, Tiedje JM, Mahenthiralingam E. Environ Microbiol. 2007 Apr;9(4):1017-34.

Analysis of the interaction of phytoestrogens and synthetic chemicals: an in vitro/in vivo comparison. Charles GD, Gennings C, Tornesi B, Kan HL, Zacharewski TR, Bhaskar Gollapudi B, Carney EW. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2007 Feb 1;218(3):280-8.

Conferences

The University of Michigan School of Public Health will hold the 12th Annual Toxicology Symposium "Gene-Environment Interactions" on Friday, April 20, 2007 at the Toswley Center, University Hospital Complex.  The abstract deadline is April 11, 2007.  There is no cost to register, but registration must be completed by April 11, 2007 to reserve a free lunch.  Go to http://sitemaker.umich.edu/toxsymposium/home to register and/or submit an abstract.

The University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment will host a national/international faculty diversity and environmental justice research symposium on June 7-9, 2007 in Ann Arbor.  For more information go to http://sitemaker.umich.edu/diversityejresearchsymposium.

Short Course

This year, the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at MSU will offer its third annual, NIGMS-sponsored Short Course in Integrative and Organ Systems Pharmacology.  The Course will be offered 5-17 August 2007.  The objective of the course is to offer students, especially (but not only) those who generally focus on cellular and subcellular physiology and pharmacology in their work, the opportunity to explore issues that are more integrative in nature. Students participating in the past have included graduate students,
postdoctoral trainees, university faculty and industry-based scientists at junior and senior levels.  More information can be obtained from Peter Cobbett [cobbett@msu.edu]  or from Candace Winslow (Candace.Winslow@hc.msu.edu).  Alternatively, information can be obtained at  http://phmtox.msu.edu/summercourse.php.

Positions

The Center for Integrative Toxicology (CIT) at Michigan State University invites applications for a tenure-track academic year faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level in chemical carcinogenesis or developmental toxicology. The CIT has over 40 affiliated faculty members and administers a Superfund Program Project grant and a Training grant, both awarded by the NIH, NIEHS. We are seeking candidates with expertise in either chemical carcinogenesis or developmental toxicology to strengthen our growing interest in these areas. Candidates should have a Ph.D. degree in Toxicology or a related discipline, postdoctoral research experience and demonstrated success in obtaining extramural funding. This position involves a joint appointment in the CIT and in a biomedical science department (e.g., Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Food Science and Human Nutrition, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Physiology) consistent with his/her expertise and interests. In addition to contributing to the CIT, the candidate will have the opportunity to participate in one or more other interdisciplinary research and training programs including the National Food Safety and Toxicology Center, the Center for Biological Modeling, Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Centers and the Genetics and Neuroscience Programs. He/she will be expected to establish and maintain an independent and extramurally-funded research program and to contribute to the teaching and service missions of the department and the CIT. Interested individuals should send their curriculum vitae, statement of research interests and future research plans, and 3 letters of recommendation to: Chair, Faculty Search Committee, Center for Integrative Toxicology, 165C Food Safety and Toxicology Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824. Electronic submissions may be sent to: swagart@msu.edu. Review of applications will begin March 2007 and will continue until the position is filled.

The Netherlands Toxicogenomics Center at Maastricht University is seeking applicants for a position as Toxicogenomics Senior Researcher.  The incumbent will: design and manage toxicogenomics projects; support and supervise PhD Students and post-docs in planning and analyzing toxicogenomics studies, specifically by applying microarray technology and constructing predictive models for toxicological risk analysis based on  toxicogenomics data from public data warehouses; and interact with national Netherlands Toxicogenomics Centre (NTC) and international toxicogenomics networks.  Additional duties include supervising toxicogenomics PhD students and post-docs with the design and analysis of gene expression research studies; supervising complex toxicogenomics statistical data analysis (ANOVAs, correlations, interactions, etc); applying functional, regulatory toxicological analysis of genome profiles (biological processes, pathways and networks); and design of predictive models for toxicological risk assessment of chemicals, based on toxicogenomics data already available within public data warehouses (GEO, CEBS, ArrayExpress, etc). The successful candidate will hold a doctorate within the biomedical discipline and is familiar with recent international developments, especially in toxicology; have an excellent research reputation and hands-on experience within (toxico-)genomics, including related biostatistics and bioinformatics; have proven success in attracting indirect and contract funding; possess demonstrable communicational skills and managerial expertise to work in a team within and beyond the department. For more information about this position, please contact Prof. J. Kleinjans, director Netherlands Toxicogenomics Centre, Dept. of Health Risk Analysis & Toxicology, Maastricht University, (tel. +31-43-3881096, e-mail: j.kleinjans@grat.unimaas.nl.

The Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics at Indiana University seeks a senior investigator to lead a new program in genetic epidemiology. The applicant must have a Ph.D. or M.D. degree in epidemiology or a related area. The successful candidate will have a strong record of research and research funding. This individual will lead efforts to build a strong collaborative program to study how environmental exposures act in concert with other risk factors to modulate disease susceptibility. The Indiana University School of Medicine has embarked on a major initiative to augment research in the area of epidemiology. The development of the program in epidemiology is being pursued jointly with the newly established Center for Environmental Health and the NCI designated Indiana University Cancer Center. The center for environmental health is focusing on the role gene and environmental (including dietary) interaction in initiation and progression of chronic human diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative. The Indiana University Cancer Center has programs that include those in the areas of breast cancer; cancer prevention and control; and DNA repair and molecular carcinogenesis. New research space for a growing program will be available in the recently completed Medical Information Sciences Building and the Indiana University Cancer Center expansion, which will be completed in 2008. The successful applicant will receive a generous start-up package, is eligible for an endowed Chair, and will lead the recruitment of additional faculty members to the program. Please send your application letter and curriculum vitae to Tatiana Foroud, Ph.D., Medical and Molecular Genetics, 975 W. Walnut Street, Room 130, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5251.

The newly established Indiana University Center for Environmental Health located in the IU School of Medicine in Indianapolis announces a search for new faculty in the area of environmental health. The Center for Environmental Health, in partnership with the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology and the Indiana University Cancer Center seeks outstanding individuals for tenure-track faculty positions at the Assistant, Associate and Full Professor level. The Center for Environmental Health is partnering with current active programs of excellence in toxicology, cancer research, neuropharmacology, and childrens health to address mechanisms of action and genetic susceptibility to environmental influences.  A Ph.D. and/or M.D. degree and at least three (3) years of postdoctoral research experience are required, and strong evidence of productivity and grant support are desirable. Competitive start-up packages include ample space and access to exceptional core research facilities. Successful candidates will be expected to develop strong extramurally supported research programs, contribute to an already strong, collaborative research environment, and to excel in mentoring graduate and postgraduate trainees. More information about the Center for Environmental Health and partner departments can be found at http://ceh.iu.edu; http://pharmtox.iusm.iu.edu; and http://cancer.iu.edu. Interested individuals should submit a curriculum vita, a research prospectus, and the names and addresses of three (3) references. Application materials should be submitted electronically to the attention of Dr. James E. Klaunig, Robert B. Forney, Professor of Toxicology, Director, Center for Environmental Health, IU School of Medicine at cehinfo@iu.edu.

The Department of Environmental Health Sciences in the School of Public Health, University of Michigan is seeking candidates for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor with research interests in the field of water quality and the risk to human health. Specific areas of interest may include aquatic chemistry (e.g., processes affecting the behavior and fate of persistent organic compounds in water and sediments, bioaccumulation of xenobiotics in food chain, and human exposure and effects) or biology (e.g., toxic algae). The successful candidate is expected to develop an independent research program relating to qualitative and quantitative assessments of exposures to water-borne chemical or biological agents and assessing the associated health risks and/or effects. We are especially interested in candidates with innovative approaches that can be applied to the study of effects of the Great Lakes water quality on human health. Candidates should have strong research records, an interest in multidisciplinary research and concerned commitment to graduate education/teaching. Responsibilities: Teach graduate-level courses in areas relevant to the Department's academic programs, with particular emphasis on aquatic sciences (with chemistry and/or biology focus) and assessment of risks of exposure to water-borne hazards; Advise graduate students and supervise their research; Develop innovative research program and contribute to the diversity of scholarly activities within the School, the University and the community; Participate in service activities at the Department, School and University levels. Qualifications: Desired qualifications include earned doctorate (e.g., PhD., ScD, MD, DrPH) with strong academic background and research experience in at least one of the areas of aquatic sciences with applications in environmental health, risk assessment, or in a closely related field; ability to work as a collaborator and independently in interdisciplinary and interdepartmental settings; prior college-level teaching experience is desirable, as well as proven ability to communicate and interact constructively with students and faculty; research credentials and potential as evidenced by publications, reports or presentations at professional meetings.  Post-doctoral experience is desirable but not required. To apply: Applications should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of professional interests and accomplishments, and no more than 3 representative publications.  Each applicant should also ask three qualified referees to send letters of recommendation directly to the Chair of the Search Committee. Application with current address, e-mail contact and phone number(s) should be sent to: Jerome Nriagu, Ph.D., D.Sc., Professor, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan 109 S. Observatory Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029 e-mail: jnriagu@umich.edu; Phone: (734) 936-0706. The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action employer that is responsive to the needs of dual career couples. People of color and women are particularly encouraged to apply. Interested applicants can find more information about the teaching and research programs in Department and School of Public Health at the following web site:  http://www.sph.umich.edu/ehs/index.html.