Center for Integrative Toxicology at Michigan State University

Toxicology Track

Weekly Newsletter of the MSU Center for Integrative Toxicology
Director: Dr. Norbert Kaminski / Editor: Lauren St.John

September 28, 2009, Vol. 32, Number 36

Seminars / Workshops / Courses / Fellowships / Job Postings

 

Seminars

Friday, October 30
*The Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation presents Israel Rubinstein, Professor of Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences in the Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, to speak on “Actively targeted nanomedicine: From bench to bedside” on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 12:00 p.m. in 101 Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health.

*Fulfills seminar requirements for the Environmental and Integrative Toxicological Sciences Graduate Programs. Seminars that fulfill this requirement are archived at http://www.cit.msu.edu/Graduate%20Program/Seminars.html.

 

Workshops

Developing Communication and Conflict Management Skills to Save Time and Enhance Productivity – Graduate School  FREE Workshop

Friday, October 9 2009, 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (boxed lunch is provided), Room 6, Student Services Building

Learn effective negotiation and communication strategies to resolve conflicts and also to prevent them from occurring. Presented by: Dr. Julie Brockman, Program Coordinator, The Graduate School, Dr. Tony Nunez, Associate Dean, The Graduate School, Dr. Janet Lillie, Department of Communication, Mr. Parker Huston, Department of Psychology.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED 
To register send an email to: gradwrsp@msu.edu. Please include your name, department, e-mail address, name of the workshop, and date of the workshop. To allow for more interaction, the workshop is limited to 30 graduate students. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Lunch and parking are provided.

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ILSI Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI) Workshop on State of the Science: Evaluating Epigenetic Changes

Date:  October 28-30, 2009
Location:  NIEHS Campus, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Program Co-Chairs: Dr. Jay Goodman, Michigan State University and Dr. Karen Augustine, Bristol-Myers Squibb

Who Should Attend: Epigenetics is an emerging issue that is rapidly gaining traction and interest in a range of scientific and regulatory communities. The program is designed to be informative to scientists who are seeking to learn more about the field of epigenetics as well as those who are actively engaged in this arena. Scientists from industry, academia, and government are encouraged to participate.

Is there a Fee to Attend? The workshop is open at no-cost for all interested, registered parties until workshop capacity is reached (approximately 150 registrants).

How do I Register? Online registration information is available here. 

Where Should I Stay While Attending the Meeting? Research Triangle Park and the surrounding Raleigh-Durham area offer numerous lodging and recreation options. A room block for workshop attendees has been secured, please contact Ms. Cyndi Nobles for more information (cnobles@ilsi.org ).

 

Courses

Computational Systems Biology and Dose Response Modeling Short Course
PHM 870, Section 301, 1 credit (fulfills the EITS Topics in Toxicology requirement)

Date: October 7-9, 2009 (all day Oct. 7 and 8, half day on Oct. 9)

Location: Food Safety and Toxicology Building, room 164

Instructors: Qiang Zhang, Sudin Bhattacharya, and Melvin E. Andersen, Division of Computational Biology, The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences; and Rory Conolly US Environmental Protection Agency.

Course Description: In this short course, you will learn:

  • Current computational modeling techniques for the quantitative investigation of how biological systems respond to perturbations at the cellular level.
  • Common themes in signal transduction and gene regulatory networks that underlie systems-level cellular behaviors including homeostasis, adaptation, threshold response, binary cell fate decisions, and irreversible differentiation.
  • How molecular circuits comprising genes and proteins give rise to different dose response behaviors.
  • To use these techniques to develop computational models for understanding and predicting dose response behaviors of drugs and environmental agents.

The course comprises lectures and hand-on computer simulation exercises. Students will be required to bring a PC laptop computer each day to the course as there will be sample data sets for them to model.

Please visit http://www.thehamner.org/education-and-training/drm_workshop.html for a full description of a one-week version of this course. Contact Dr. Norbert Kaminski, kamins11@msu.edu, with questions.

Please contact Diane Hummel, hummeld@msu.edu, in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology for course registration/override.

 

Fellowships

Nominations Sought for Environmental Health Sciences - ‘Science Communication Fellows’

Environmental Health Sciences (EHS), publisher of EnvironmentalHealthNews.org and DailyClimate.org, seeks nominations for Science Communication Fellows. The 12-month appointments are open to postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty at research universities that have active research programs related to environmental health sciences.

Most of the public and many reporters are unaware of how profoundly the environmental health sciences have advanced in the past decade, and they often lack a basic understanding of the significance or context of new results. The Science Communication Fellows program addresses this gap, working with up to 10 researchers a year to develop and hone their communication and outreach skills early in their professional careers, while also publishing accessible summaries of important new research findings.

Nominations are being accepted now for the competitive, one-year fellowships that will further enhance the researchers’ communication skills and offer a strong peer network with the Science Communication Fellows from prior years. Fellowship training provides participants the tools with which to communicate environmental health research to the media, policy makers and the public.

Duties: With assistance from skilled communication experts and EHS staff, Science Communication Fellows appointed for the 2010 calendar year will:

  • Identify every month two important new scientific findings within his or her area of expertise.
  • Submit short written summaries that translate the findings for reporters and a broader public.
  • Report on those findings via a monthly conference call.
  • Occasionally, expand the summaries into longer, more detailed synopses.
  • Contribute short reviews critiquing media coverage of environmental health findings.
  • Attend a two-day national conference to meet one another and Environmental Health Sciences staff, network with professionals in related fields, attend media training and discuss research and policy issues in environmental health.

Compensation: $5,000 stipend and paid expenses for media training conference.

Nomination: Department chairs or deans will nominate successful candidates. Applications are due October 15, 2009, and must be submitted electronically to sciencefellows@environmentalhealthnews.org.

Applications:

  1. A letter of recommendation from the applicant's department chair or dean;
  2. A letter from the nominee describing qualifications and why he or she wishes to participate; and
  3. The nominee’s CV with three sample publications in PDF format.

Selection and Notification: A selection committee will review nominations and select up to 10 fellows for the 2010 calendar year. Participants will be notified before December 15, 2009.

 

Job Postings

Research Investigator, Environmental Modeling Scientist (2984090827)       
                                                                           
For 75 years, DuPont Crop Protection has been serving production agriculture with products for the grain and specialty crop sectors as well as forestry and vegetation management, including global herbicide, fungicide and insecticide products and services.  Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, DuPont Crop Protection is part of the overall Agriculture & Nutrition business of the DuPont Company.  Our mission is to best satisfy the world's need for food and nutrition by transforming the ways renewable resources are grown, processed and distributed.            
                                                                            
The Environmental Safety Assessment Group is looking for a highly motivated scientist to work in our Newark, Delaware, research facility. The successful candidate will be leading the development and application of environmental fate models, mathematical tools and statistical approaches to support optimization, commercialization and stewardship of crop protection chemicals. The specific job duties will include the following.                                                                 

  1. Proactively participate in the development of environmental risk assessment strategies for the registration of new crop protection chemicals.
  2. Collaborate with environmental fate, eco-toxicology technical experts and the product registration teams to conduct the environmental risk assessments and establish safe and sustainable uses for DuPont agrochemicals.                                      
  3. Serve as study/program monitor for environmental modeling studies conducted at contract research organizations to fulfill international regulatory requirements and support product modeling and risk assessment strategies.                                    
  4. Participate in external industry committees and other professional societies to develop guidance and best practices in environmental modeling.                                                          
  5. Interface with worldwide regulatory agencies on technical issues, develop and present responses to their questions and requests.      

                                                                           
 Qualifications                                                            

  1. A Ph.D. degree (or equivalent experience) in engineering or science with experience in the areas of environmental fate, soil science, biology, chemistry and computer modeling.      
  2. Demonstrated technical leadership skills with a desire to contribute towards team success and a willingness to promote the potential for growth among team members at all levels.     
  3. Experience with environmental fate modeling is essential.
  4. Experience with common programming languages (e.g. Visual Basic and Fortran), and GIS-based software programs is beneficial.                      
  5. Demonstrated ability to prepare scientific publications and presentations on agrochemicals research.                           
  6. Experience with global pesticide registration guidelines.           
  7. Excellent oral and written communication skills.                   
  8. Excellent project management skills.                                

                                                                           
For more information and to apply online, please visit: https://dupontimpl.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=40661.

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Principal Investigator, Global Regulatory Ecotoxicologist (3035090827)     
                                                                            
For 75 years, DuPont Crop Protection has been serving production agriculture with products for the grain and specialty crop sectors as well as forestry and vegetation management, including global herbicide, fungicide and insecticide products and services.  Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, DuPont Crop Protection is part of the overall Agriculture & Nutrition business of the DuPont Company.  Our mission is to best satisfy the world's need for food and nutrition by transforming the ways renewable resources are grown, processed and distributed.            

The Global Regulatory Eco toxicologist will be leading the development and application of ecological risk assessments to support optimization, commercialization and stewardship of crop protection chemicals. The specific job duties will include the following:                        

  1.  Proactively participate in the development of ecological risk assessment strategies for the registration of new crop protection chemicals.
  2.  Collaborate with environmental fate, modeling technical experts and the product registration teams to conduct the environmental risk assessments and establish safe and sustainable uses for DuPont  agrochemicals.  
  3. Serve as study/program monitor for ecotoxicology studies conducted at contract research organizations to fulfill international regulatory requirements and support product risk assessment strategies. 
  4. Participate in external industry committees and other professional societies to develop guidance and best practices in ecological risk assessments.  
  5. Interface with worldwide regulatory agencies on technical issues, develop and present responses to their questions and requests.      

                                                                            
 Qualifications                                                            

  1. A Ph.D. degree (or equivalent experience) in biological sciences with ecotoxicology experience (aquatic or terrestrial invertebrate or vertebrate species; aquatic or terrestrial plants, etc).
  2. Demonstrated technical leadership skills with a desire to contribute towards team success and a willingness to promote the potential for growth among team members at all levels.
  3.  Knowledge of common PC-based software is expected, including word processors, spreadsheets, databases, web browsers, and statistical/mathematical software.    
  4. Demonstrated ability to prepare scientific publications and presentations on agrochemicals research.
  5.  Experience with global pesticide registration guidelines.
  6. Excellent oral and written communication skills.                   
  7. Excellent project management skills.                                

                                                                           
For more information and to apply online, please visit: https://dupontimpl.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=40662

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Public Health Specialist II for the Public Health Division of Alaska
This recruitment seeks an environmental and/or public health scientist with formal education and experience in the field of toxicology.

This position serves as a health assessor for the Environmental Public Health Program within the Section of Epidemiology. The incumbent will evaluate the health significance of chemicals in the environment in Alaska, considering the chemical and physical nature of the chemicals, site conditions, toxicological properties, and relevant exposure pathways. The incumbent will evaluate contaminants in fish and other subsistence foods, perform health assessments for communities impacted by contaminated sites, conduct lead exposure surveillance, and respond to a variety of other environmental health concerns. This position provides a unique opportunity to improve the health status of Alaskans by reducing exposure to hazardous chemicals. The starting salary for this position is $4976 per month.

We are looking for candidates with the following knowledge, skills, experience and strengths:

  • Demonstrated knowledge of environmental toxicology principles
  • Experience evaluating the health impacts of environmental contaminants
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the fate and transport of chemicals in the environment
  • Experience communicating the results of scientific information to peers, both through oral presentations and publication in peer-reviewed scientific literature
  • Ability to communicate complex information in a simplified manner that is understandable to the lay public
  • Ability to communicate professionally, effectively and diplomatically while under pressure
  • Knowledge of risk communication theory and practice
  • Strong critical thinking skills
  • Strong writing skills (both scientific and for lay public)
  • Experience working effectively as a member of a team

For more information about the position and to apply online, please visit: http://notes4.state.ak.us/wa/postapps.nsf/3fce5e59a6a3b75189256443007a8ed2/f1aaadfd1fe8c0d1892576260079c1a1?OpenDocument.
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Assistant Professor of Biology/Cell Biology at Hofstra University

Hofstra University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track, assistant professor position in the Department of Biology. The successful candidate will be qualified to teach cell biology and ideally one other of the following subject areas: immunology, environmental toxicology, or bioinformatics. The successful candidate should be able to teach courses at a variety of levels, i.e. non-majors, undergraduate majors, Master's. Faculty in Biology must maintain an active and productive research program accessible to both undergraduate and master's research students. The specific areas of research are open.

Candidates must have a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline, experience in course development and design, and demonstrated teaching ability. An interest in and/or experience with innovative teaching techniques is desirable. Post-doctoral experience is preferred.

Interested individuals should: (1) submit a curriculum vitae (indicating specific teaching experience, (2) statement of research interests, (3) statement of teaching experience, interests and philosophy, and (4) have letters from three references sent to: Faculty Search, Department of Biology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549-1140, or email application documents (in PDF format) to Robert.W.Seagull@hofstra.edu.

The Department of Biology is a medium-sized, diverse, and growing department. Additional information about the department, faculty, facilities, etc. is posted on the web at: http://hofstra.edu/biology. Application materials should be received by December 1, 2009. Starting date: September, 2010.

 

This newsletter is produced and distributed weekly by the Center for Integrative Toxicology. To be added to the e-mail list or to make suggestions regarding information that might be included in this publication, contact: Lauren St.John, Editor, Center for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, 165C Food Safety and Toxicology Building, East Lansing, MI 48824; lstjohn@msu.edu; 517/432-2435(phone), 517/355-4603(fax).