Toxicology Track

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

November 20, 2006, Vol. 29, Number 44

Seminars / Publications / Course Announcement / Positions

Seminars

The Animal Science Department presents Janice Swanson, Kansas State University, to speak on Working at the Interface of Animal Welfare: Scientific and Social Understanding on Monday, November 20, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. in A213 Veterinary Medical Center.
 
The Plant Biology and Plant Research Laboratory present Blake Meyers, University of Deleware, to speak on "Deep Transcriptional Profiling in Plants Using Signature Sequencing" on Monday, November 20, 2006 at 4:10 p.m., 101 Biochemistry.
 
*The Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Department presents Thomas Glover, University of Michigan, to speak on "Chromosome Instability at Common Fragile Sites and the DNA Damage Response" on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 4:10 p.m. in 1415 Biomedical Physical Sciences.

The Geological Sciences Department and Shell Oil Company present Warren Wood, U.S. Navel Research Laboratory, to speak on "Methane Hydrates: Flammable Ice on the Seafloor" on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 4 p.m. in 204 Natural Science.

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

Publications

L-1R Antagonist Gene and Prenatal Smoke Exposure are Associated with Childhood Asthma. Ramadas RA, Sadeghnejad A, Karmaus W, Arshad SH, Matthews S, Huebner M, Kim DY, Ewart SL. Eur Respir J. 2006 Nov 15; [Epub ahead of print]
 
Reproductive Success of Passerines Exposed to Polychlorinated Biphenyls Through the Terrestrial Food Web of the Kalamazoo River. Neigh AM, Zwiernik MJ, Joldersma CA, Blankenship AL, Strause KD, Millsap SD, Newsted JL, Giesy JP.  Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2007 Jan;66(1):107-18. Epub 2005 Dec 15.
 
Evaluation of the Hypothesis that Balkan Endemic Nephropathy is Caused by Drinking Water Exposure to Contaminants Leaching from Pliocene Coal Deposits. Voice TC, McElmurry SP, Long DT, Dimitrov P, Ganev VS, Peptropoulos EA. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2006 Nov;16(6):515-524. Epub 2006 May 3.
 
Respiratory Nitrate Ammonification by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. Cruz-GarciaC, Murray AE, Klappenbach JA, Stewart V, Tiedje JM. J Bacteriol. 2006 Nov 10; [Epub ahead of print]
 
Biogeography: An Emerging Cornerstone for Understanding Prokaryotic Diversity, Ecology, and Evolution. Ramette A, Tiedje JM. Microb Ecol. 2006 Nov 8; [Epub ahead of print]

Course Announcement

Topics in Toxicology: New Course, Spring 2007, VM 820, Section 02; Molecular Journeys to Cell Death; Tuesdays and Fridays, 8-9 a.m., in 162 Food Safety and Toxicology Building.  This is a 1-credit, seminar course that will meet two hours per week for the first half of the semester. The focus will be recent developments in understanding the molecular signaling that leads to cell death. Potential topics include ADP ribosylation, endoplasmic reticulum stress responses, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation and others. Students will be expected to present original research articles and/or reviews on assigned topics. This course will apply toward the Environmental and Integrative Toxicological Sciences Program requirements. Prerequisite: One course in  biochemistry/molecular biology. Moderators: Drs. Patti Ganey, Bob Roth, and Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan.  Contact Dr. Ganey (ganey@msu.edu) or Dr. Roth (rothr@msu.edu).

Positions

The Division of Public Health Sciences of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle invites applications for an Assistant or Associate Member (corresponding to Assistant or Associate Professor) interested in experimental approaches to the study of diet and nutrition and cancer prevention in humans.  Applicants should have a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent in nutrition or a nutrition-related area, and have relevant research experience.  The successful candidate will be expected to develop an independent research program, that includes the use of controlled feeding studies.  Experience in the conduct of small-scale clinical trials in humans and measurement of relevant biomarkers, along with a history of active laboratory collaborations and extramural funding will be important considerations.  A joint Assistant or Associate Professor (regular or research) appointment in the Department of Epidemiology/ Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Washington is also possible, depending on qualifications and interests.  A regular appointment at the University of Washington would require teaching. Consideration of applications will begin immediately.  Interested candidates should send a curriculum vitae, a letter describing research interests, and the names and contact information (including email address) for four references to: Chair, Nutritional Interventionist Search Committee, c/o Deanne Young, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N, M4-B402, Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109-1024.

Golder Associates has an opening for Senior Toxicologist/Risk Assessor in their Calgary, Alberta, Canada location.  The successful candidate will be experienced in human health risk assessment, wildlife toxicology and terrestrial ecological risk assessment (ERA). As a Senior Toxicologist/Risk Assessor, the candidate will be expected to: direct the application of advanced methods/techniques to problem solving and assessments; lead environmental assessment/ERA projects for various types of developments including power, mines, oil and gas facilities and pipelines; provide senior direction and review; supervise, train and mentor junior and intermediate staff; demonstrate a commitment to team building; liaise with clients and regulators and develop business opportunities; and Initiate and direct large-scale projects. Requirements: degree in environmental toxicology, terrestrial ecology or a similar field; advanced degree (Masters of Science or Ph.D) plus a minimum of 7 years experience; and ability to lead human health risk assessments and terrestrial ecological risk assessments for EAs and other projects. International candidates will be considered. Desired Skills: consulting industry experience with extensive knowledge of toxicology, terrestrial ecology and risk assessments; strong leadership, mentoring and teambuilding skills; strong working knowledge of terrestrial ecosystems in Western Canada and the Arctic; familiarity with the regulatory framework in Western and Northern Canada; and experience providing expert testimony at hearings. For more information, including an on-line application system, go to http://www.golder.com/.