Toxicology Track

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

October 29, 2007, Vol. 30, Number 39

Seminars this week/Seminars upcoming/Conferences/Positions

Seminars this week

*The Genetics Program presents a research forum by Dr. Bruce Uhal and Amal Abdul-Hafez on "Tissue-Specific Angiotensinogen Gene Transcription Determines the Severity of Lung Fibrosis" on Monday, October 29, 2007 at 12:30 p.m. in 1425 Biomedical Physical Sciences.

The Cell and Molecular Biology Program presents a research forum by Young-Moon Cho on "A Crystallographic Investigation of Human Prostaglandin H Synthase-2 in the Presense of Substrates and Inhibitors" on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 1 p.m. in 2245 Biomedical Physical Sciences.

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program presents Yong-Hui Zheng, MSU, to speak on "Innate Cellular Resistance to HIV-Infection is Mediated by Cellular Cytidine Deminases and Helicase" on Thursday, November 1, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. in 101 Biochemistry.

*The Neuroscience Program presents Bellina Veronesi, Environmental Protection Agency to speak on “Titanium Dioxide - A Neurotoxic Nanoparticle?” on Thursday, November 1, 2007 at 12:30 p.m. in 1425 Biomedical and Physical Sciences.

*The Department of Physiology presents Richard Kolesnick, University of Chicago, to speak on "The Vascular Component of the Tumor Response Impacts DNA Repair in Tumor Stem Cells" on Thursday, November 1, 2007 at 4 p.m. in 1425 Biomedical Physical Sciences.

*The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition presents Tood Klaenhammer, Distinguished University Professor, Food Science, Microbiology and Genetics at North Carolina State University, to speak on "Eat Bacteria - Get Cultured: New Horizons in Bioprocessing and Health" on Thursday, November 1, 2007 at noon in 1135 S. Anthony Hall.

The Environmental Science and Policy Program presents Dan Poux, Associate Director, American Association for the Advancement of Science, to speak on "Not Science as Usual: Become an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow" on Thursday, November 1, 2007 at noon in 273 Giltner Hall.

*The Respiratory Research Initiative presents Jerry Keeler, University of Michigan, to speak on "Atmospheric Monitoring and Source Identification of Particulate Air Pollution in Urban Communities" on Friday, November 2, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. in 162 Food Safety and Toxicology Building.

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

Seminars upcoming

The Department of Chemistry presents Claudia Turro, Ohio State University, to speak on “Interactions of Excited States of Transition Metal Complexes with DNA: Potential Applications in Photodynamic Therapy and Switching” on Monday, November 5, 2007 at 11:20 a.m. in 136 Chemistry.

*The CIT is hosting a lecture by Albert E. Munson, director of the Health Effects Laboratory Division for the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, entitled "Toxicology in an Occupational Government Laboratory" at noon on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at the Holden Hall Hunt Club. Lunch is included. Reservations required at tox@msu.edu.

The Neuroscience Program presents Daniel Storm, University of Washington to speak on “Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Memory Formation: Role of Signal Transduction Cross-Talk” on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 12:30 p.m. in 1425 Biomedical and Physical Sciences.

The Department of Physiology presents Maria Grant, M.D., University of Florida-Gainesville, to speak on "Endophelial Progenitor Disfunction in Diabetes" on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 4 p.m. in 1425 Biomedical Physical Sciences.

*The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology presents Virginia Sanders, The Ohio State University, Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, to speak on "It Takes Nerve to Tell an Immune Cell What to Do" on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at noon in B448-9 Life Sciences.

*The Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation presents Alison Bauer, MSU, to speak on "The Role of Inflammation in Mouse Lung Tumorigenesis" at noon on Friday, November 16, 2007 in 101 Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, 4125 Beaumont Rd.

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

Conferences and other events

The Fall Michigan Regional Chapter of the Society of Toxicology Meeting on"Lipidomics"will be held November 9, 2007 at the MSU Kellogg Center. Awards will be given for the best student and post-doc poster presentations. Deadline for registration and abstract submission is November 2, 2007 - forms can be downloaded from http://www.toxicology.org/isot/rc/michigan/Fall_07_registr.doc.

Students in the Environmental and Integrative Toxicological Sciences program are reminded of the requirement for training in research ethics offered by the University. Specific information and a complete description of all the sessions in the Responsible Conduct of Research Seminar Series is available at the series' web site: http://grad.msu.edu/all/respconduct.htm.

Experimental Biology 2008 will take place April 5-9, 2008 in San Diego, California. Abstracts are being accepted until November 7, 2007. For more information, go to http://www.eb2008.org.

The 27th Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology will take place June 22-26, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco, California. “Systems Pathology” is the theme of the 27th Symposium, which is divided into six half-day sessions. Abstract submission Deadline: April 1, 2008. For more information, go to https://www.toxpath.org/AM2008/index.asp.

Positions

The EPA Region 8 office in Denver has a vacancy for a toxicologist GS - 12/13. The incumbent will provide technical support and advice on human health risk assessment and toxicology. Communicate with a variety of in-house organizations, other government agencies, contractors, grantees, and/or private or academic institutions for the purpose of gaining information and corroborating on findings. Review and prepare written reports on scientific investigations, studies and projects. Advise regional management on toxicological issues that relate to potential response actions at hazardous waste sites. Determine study requirements, resources, equipment needs, etc., and identify methods and procedures to collect human exposure and risk related information. The salary range is $67,572 to $104,464. Applications will be accepted until Nov. 13, 2007. For more information, including how to apply, go to www.usajobs.gov and use position number Reg8-DE-2008-003.

The Michigan Department of Community Health has a toxicologist opening to provide technical support for the MDCH chemical terrorism and emergencies preparedness strategy. The person in this position is responsible for compiling human health risk information concerning chemical weapons of mass destruction and toxic industrial chemicals, providing toxicological support during a chemical public health emergency, and conducting training in public health preparedness for chemical terrorism and emergencies. This position will also assist in the development of public health assessments and consultaions for sites of chemical contamination throughout Michigan. A masters degree in toxicology is required. For more information, contact the Department of Civil Service at http://www.michigan.gov/mdcs/ and use position code TOXGSTE. In order to be considered for the position you must submit a written sample such as a report or paper. If interested, please submit cover letter, resume, college transcripts, and special requirements via e-mail to MDCHVacancies@michigan.gov or US Mail to: Department of Community Health, Human Resources, 320 S. Walnut, Lansing, MI 48913, attention Cathy Lane, no later than 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 26, 2007. Please include posting number on resume. If sending via e-mail, enter posting number in subject line. Note: only those applicants scheduled for interview will be contacted.

GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. seeks applicants for a Human Health Toxicologist to join their team of environmental scientists and engineers. Requirements include strong communication and analysis skills and at least 5-years experience managing human toxicology projects, including toxic tort and related litigation. Experience with TSCA, indoor air quality, dose reconstruction, and quantitative risk assessment is desired. A Ph.D. or MS in environmental health, toxicology, or related field is preferred. Although GZA's Toxicology Practice Lead is located in Waukesha, WI, this position could be located in any one of GZA's more than 20 offices. Please submit a letter of interest, including salary requirements, along with a resume to: Michael F. Conway, P.E., LSP Principal GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. One Edgewater Drive Norwood, MA 02062; phone: 781-278-3845; fax: 781-278-5701; e-mail: michael.conway@gza.com.

The Environmental Science Center of the Syracuse Research Corporation, a world leader in environmental chemistry, toxicology, and risk assessment has an opening for a Site Director in Denver, Colorado. This is a unique opportunity for someone who is both a highly accomplished scientist and a sophisticated business development professional. This individual will take a leadership role and be responsible for driving marketing and business development efforts in the Denver office and for providing expert level technical guidance for the staff. Requirements: This position requires a Ph.D. in environmental science, toxicology, or a related field with 10 - 15 years of related experience. Broad technical experience is vital, and there is a special emphasis on experience performing human health and ecological risk assessments. Experience in program management, personnel management/development and business development is also highly desirable. Security Clearance Required: Must be a U.S. citizen. Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. For more information please visit: http://www.syrres.com/career/default.htm.

Tetra Tech, Inc. in Lafayette, CA is hiring a Human Health Risk Assessor to participate in environmental investigations at commercial and military facilities; perform all aspects of human health risk assessment reports in accordance with U.S. EPA federal (CERCLA/RCRA) and California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) guidelines, and other client-specific guidelines; perform fate and transport modeling and quantitative analyses for human health risk assessments; prepare responses to client, regulatory, and internal comments on all documents and supporting materials; and work for project managers and task managers on all aspects of environmental investigations and project planning. Must be competent with all aspects of report preparation. Fieldwork may occasionally be required. This position may involve business development and is expected to transition into a more supervisory role. Experience requirements include a minimum of three years of experience conducting human health risk assessments or environmental investigations. Familiarity with environmental statistics and experience with statistical software is highly desirable. Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential. Education Requirements: B.S., M.S., MPH, or Ph.D. in biology, public health, environmental science, toxicology, or a related field. Fax or send resume to: Tetra Tech, Inc., Attn.: Rhonda Carlisle, 3746 Mount Diablo Blvd., Suite 300, Lafayette, CA 94549. Fax: 925-283-0780. Email: Rhonda.Carlisle@tetratech.com.

The George Perkins Marsh Institute at Clark University, the university’s principal venue for interdisciplinary research in nature-society interactions, environmental risks and hazards, geographical information science, and development and health, invites applications for the position of Director of the Institute. At a time of significant new investment in research at Clark, GPMI seeks an experienced researcher who will be an effective leader, responsible for charting out and implementing a new vision for GPMI over the coming years. (Further information about the George Perkins Marsh Institute is at http://www.clarku.edu/departments/marsh/). The Director will allocate approximately one half time to directorship activities, and one half to an appropriate mix of research and teaching. Field of research is open provided that there is a good fit with at least one of the broad areas of GPMI research. Interest and ability to collaborate with Clark University’s new Mosakowski Institute for Public Enterprise with its focus on use-inspired research is advantageous (see http://www.clarku.edu/research/mosakowskiinstitute/). Rank is open; a tenure line may be possible provided that there is a suitable fit with an academic department at Clark. Applications, including a letter of interest, a vita, and a list of three references should be sent to Search Committee, George Perkins Marsh Institute, Clark University, 950 Main St. Worcester, MA 01610. Review of applications will begin November 7, 2007; nominations and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Minorities and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Harvard University Center for the Environment created the Environmental Fellows program to enable recent doctorate recipients to use and expand Harvard’s extraordinary resources to tackle complex environmental problems. The Environmental Fellows will work for two years with Harvard faculty members in any school or department to create new knowledge while also strengthening connections across the University’s academic disciplines. Environmental Fellows may include people with degrees in the sciences, social sciences, law, government, public policy, public health, medicine, design, and the full array of humanities. The award: The fellowship will provide an annual stipend of $52,000 plus health insurance, a $5,000 allowance for travel and professional expenses, and other employee benefits. Environmental Fellows will begin work in September 2008. Schedule: Applications and all letters of reference must be received by the Center for the Environment by 5 pm Eastern Standard Time, Tuesday, January 15, 2008. The Center will announce the awards in April 2008. Complete details can be found at: http://www.environment.harvard.edu.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is accepting applications for its science and technology fellows program in 2008-09. The purpose of the program is to enable scientists and engineers from around the country to use their knowledge and analytical skills to help address national and international policy issues. Fellows, who must be U.S. citizens and have completed a doctoral-level degree, spend year-long fellowships in congressional offices and more than a dozen federal agencies. The six general areas of emphasis are: congressional; diplomacy; energy, environment, agriculture, and natural resources; global stewardship; health, education, and human services; and national defense and global security. Information about the fellowships program is available at: http://fellowships.aaas.org.