Toxicology Track

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

June 2, 2008, Vol. 31, Number 19

Seminars / Seminars Upcoming / Conferences / Course Offerings / Positions

Seminars

Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology presents Glenn Toney, University of Texas Health Science Center, to speak on "Understanding Salt-Sensitive Hypertension: What Neural Mechanisms Link Elevated Plasma Sodium with Sympathetic Activation?" on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 12:00 noon in B448-449 Life Sciences.

Seminars Upcoming

Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The 2008 Robert Leader Endowed Lecture sponsored by the National Food Safety and Toxicology Center will be presented by Richard Bawden, titled "Don't Follow Them -They're Lost," on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. at the University Club. For more information go to http://foodsafe.msu.edu/RobertLeaderEndowedLecture.html.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology presents Erika Boerman, graduate student, to present a thesis proposal seminar on "Regulation of Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels in Skeletal Muscle Arterioles" on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at 12 noon in B448-9 Life Sciences.

Thursday, June 19, 2008
*The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology presents Dr.Steven Segal, University of Missouri, to speak on "Integrating Electrical and Calcium Signaling in Microvascular Resistance Networks” on Thursday June 19, 2008 at 12 p.m. in B448-9 Life Sciences.

Friday, June 20, 2008
The MSU Graduate School presents "Thesis/Dissertation Formatting and Graduation Requirements" on Friday, June 20, 2008 from 2-3:30 p.m. in Kellogg Center, Big Ten C. Please register by sending an e-mail with your name, department, e-mail address and name of the workshop to gradwrsp@msu.edu. Seats are limited to 125. This presentation is offered once each semester.

Friday, August 15, 2008
The MSU Graduate School presents "Developing Communication and Conflict Management Skills to Save Time and Enhance Productivity" on Friday, August 15, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in 106 Kellogg Center. Please register by sending an e-mail with your name, department, e-mail address and name of the workshop to gradwrsp@msu.edu.

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

Conferences

The Toxicology Forum 34th Annual Meeting has been scheduled for July 6-10, 2008 in Given, Colorado. Topics include endocrine disruption and acrylamide. For more information go to http://www.toxforum.org.

The IXth World Conference on Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics will take place July 27 - August 1, 2008 in Quebec, Canada. For more information, go to http://www.cpt2008.com.

The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Summer Research Conferences will be held in July, August and September, 2008. Locations include Carefree, Arizona; Saxtons River, Vermont; and Snowmass Village, Colorado. For more information, go to http://www.faseb.org.

Professional Analytical and Consulting Services (PACS) will provide short courses in Baltimore, MD in June and Boston, MA in July. For a complete schedule and course offerings, go to www.pacslabs.com or call 724. 457. 6756.

The 28th International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) titled Dioxin 2008 will be held August 17-22, 2008 in Birmingham, England. Early registration continues until June 16, 2008. For more information, go to www.dioxin.bham.ac.uk.

The 15th International Congress on In Vitro Toxicology titled "Life Quality Through Better Use of Research" will take place September 25-28, 2008 in Stockholm, Sweden. Early registration continues until June 24, 2008. For more information, go to http://www.estiv2008.org.

The Environmental Mutagen Society 39th Annual Meeting is scheduled for October 18-22, 2008 in Puerto Rico. The deadline for abstract submissions and travel awards is June 6, 2008. For more information, go to http://www.ems-us.org/AM2008/index.asp.

The MSU Center for Integrative Toxicology Superfund Program's workshop "Dioxin Toxicity: Mechanisms, Models, & Potential Health Risks" will occur October 20-21, 2008 at the MSU Kellogg Center. Poster abstracts are requested by June 20, 2008. The workshop is being offered free-of-charge but seating is limited. Register by e-mailing tox@msu.edu. For hotel accommodations, call the MSU Kellogg Center at 517-432-4000. For more information, go to MSU 2008 superfund workshop .

The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North American 29th Annual Meeting will take place November 16-20, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. This year's theme is "Environmental Stewardship: Integrating Science and Management." The deadline for abstract submissions is June 4, 2008. For more information, go to http://tampa.setac.org/default.asp.

The American Society for Cell Biology Annual Meeting will occur December 13-17, 2008 in San Francisco, California. The deadline for abstract submissions and travel award applications is August 7, 2008. For more information, go to http://www.ascb.org/meetings/.

Course Offerings

The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology is offering a short course August 3-25, 2008 titled "Integrative and Organ Systems Pharmacology." Go to http://www.phmtox.msu.edu/education/shortcourse.html for more information and an application, or call 517-353-9619.

The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology will offer PHM 820 Cellular, Molecular and Integrated Systems Pharmacology and Toxicology during the fall 2008 semester. For more information, go to http://www.phmtox.msu.edu.

Positions

The Virginia Department of Health has an opening for a public health toxicologist for the Division of Environmental Epidemiology (DEE). The successful candidate will direct program services related to VDH's mission of preventing exposures of the population to non-infectious environmental health hazards; assist in the investigation of non-infectious chemical diseases of public health importance and directs associated program functions; provide technical assistance with developing regulatory standards and guidelines, assessing and making recommendations to prevent exposure and risk, and identifying protective actions related to specific toxic substances occurrences; coordinate those assessments and reviews with other state agencies; collect, analyze, and evaluate toxicological and environmental data and reports to perform health and environmental hazards evaluations (i.e., permit applications, environmental impact statements, emergency pesticide use applications, etc.); and respond to constituents who have concerns regarding public health hazards from exposure to chemicals and certain biological agents. Duties also include ensuring statewide comprehensive policy development and review; coordination of policy with other local, state and federal agencies relating to immediate and long-range goals; quality of services; program performance review and evaluation; and resource development and allocation. Conducts training, serves as the agency technical expert and prepares technical reports, fact sheets, press releases, and public health advisories on chemicals posing risk to human health or threat to the environment. Must have knowledge of principles of toxicology, pharmacology (not pharmacy), physiology, chemistry, and biochemistry; applicable state and federal regulations and laws pertaining to toxic substances; investigative protocol and procedures; and public health programs. Also, must have demonstrated ability to interpret clinical information (e.g. lab results on human specimens) related to potential toxicologic exposures and scientific research/data; communicate scientific and public health principles, both orally and in writing, to professional and lay audiences; prepare written reports; conduct training; formulate public health policy; conduct risk assessments; and review and evaluate permits and applications. Strong skills and experience needed in investigating potential chemical exposures of public health importance; identifying and applying regulatory standards and guidelines appropriate to a public health concern; making tailored protective action recommendations to prevent human exposure related to a specific toxic substance-related public health concern; developing and recommending public health policy related to an environmental health hazard through coordination with local, state and federal partners; evaluating levels of contaminants detected in environmental samples to assess human health risk, based on known or estimated degrees of human exposure to the sources of interest; conducting risk assessments of exposures to chemicals; conducting and evaluating toxicological investigations; and using computers for word processing, data management and statistical analysis. A degree in toxicology, pharmacology (not pharmacy) or closely related field and/or equivalent training and/or experience is required. A doctorate degree in toxicology, pharmacology (not pharmacy) or closely related field and/or equivalent training and/or experience is preferred. A completed application, including all previous employment, salary history and education, must be submitted on-line at www.vdh.virginia.gov for consideration. No faxed, mailed, or emailed applications accepted. Electronic applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on June 16, 2008. Please refer questions to Connie DeVed at (804) 864-8149 or connie.deved@vdh.virginia.gov.

Pacific EcoRisk (corporate office located between San Francisco and Sacramento, CA) has a full-time career-track position open for an entry level Environmental Scientist. This position will consist of lab work performing water and sediment toxicity and bioaccumulation tests, field work collecting water and sediment samples and performing biological assessments. We will provide all necessary training; however, the successful applicant will be knowledgeable regarding the basic principles and techniques used in biological research and testing, basic statistical analyses, basic water quality characteristics and analytical methods. In addition, the successful applicant will be able to work independently and within a team environment, to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others, and to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. B.S. in Environmental Studies, Aquatic/Fisheries Biology, Environmental Toxicology, or related environmental field necessary. Positive attitude absolutely essential. In addition to a great informal working environment,
Pacific EcoRisk offers health insurance, secure retirement benefits, and paid holidays/vacation. Incredible advancement opportunities for the right persons. Please email resume/CV to Dr. Scott Ogle at scottogle@pacificecorisk.com.

This newsletter is produced and distributed weekly by the Center for IntegrativeToxicology. We appreciate suggestions regarding information that might be included in this publication. To be added to the e-mail list, send your name and e-mail address to: Lois Furry, Editor, Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, 165C Food Safety and Toxicology Building, East Lansing, MI 48824; furry@msu.edu; 517/353-6469(phone), 517/355-4603(fax).