Toxicology Track

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

November 27, 2006, Vol. 29, Number 45

Seminars / Grants / Course Announcement / Positions

Seminars

The Genetics Program presents Andreas Weber, MSU, to speak on "Genomics of a Eukaryotic Extremophile" on Monday, November 27, 2006 at 12:30 p.m., 1425 Biomedical and Physical Sciences.

The Plant Biology and Plant Research Laboratory present Kathleen Treseder, University of California, Irvine, to speak on "Fungi, Ecosystems, and Global Change" on Monday, November 27, 2006 at 4:10 p.m., 101 Biochemistry.

 The Pharmacology and Toxicology Department presents Andrew King, graduate student, to speak on "Neurogenic Mechanisms of Hypertension in the Angiotensin II-Salt Model" on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 12 noon in B448-49 Life Sciences. 

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department presents Xinhua Ji, National Cancer Institute, to speak on "The Mechanisms of Ribonuclease III Action: How Dicer Dices" on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 at 4:10 p.m. in 101 Biochemistry.

The Geological Sciences Department and Shell Oil Company present Tomasz Baumiller, University of Michigan, to speak on "Submersibles, Fossils, and Flow Tanks" on Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 4 p.m. in 204 Natural Science.

The Chemistry Department presents Jiangyun Want, The Scripps Research Institute, to speak on "Protein Engineering: Probing the Chemistry of Living Process" on Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. in 136 Chemistry.

The Epidemiology Department presents Zhehui Luo, Biostatistics Division, to speak on "Do Propensity Score Methods Overcome Bias in Estimating Average Treatment Effects in Observational Studies" on Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. in C102 East Fee Hall.

The Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation presents Charles Mackenzie, Professor, to speak on "Research for a Healthy Village: Translation of Bench Investigation to Field Application" on Friday, December 1, 2006 at 12 noon in 115 Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, 4125 Beaumont Rd.

*The Chemistry Department presents Margaretta Dimos, MSU, to speak on "Trace Analysis of Organophosphorus Pesticides" on Friday, December 1, 2006 at 12:40 p.m. in 136 Chemistry.

Stephen C. Schuster, The Schuster Laboratory, will present a seminar titled: "Non-Sanger Sequencing and What it Might do for Biology on Friday, December 1, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. in 1415 Biomedical and Physical Sciences.

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

Grants

William Atchison received $226,500 from the National Institutes of Health for "Potential Contribution of Environmental Metals to ALS."

Steve Bursian received $169,178 from Industrial Economics, Inc. for "Hudson River Mink Feeding Study."

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

Integral Consulting Inc. is currently seeking highly motivated individuals for the following position in our Annapolis, Maryland office. Senior Scientist, ecologist/ecotoxicologist - Candidate must hold an M.S. or Ph.D. in a relevant discipline. The ideal candidate will have 8 to 10+ years experience in performing ecological risk and natural resource damage assessments in a consulting environment. Candidate also should have a demonstrated expertise in terrestrial and/or aquatic ecology and toxicology. Experience in statistical analysis and ecological modeling is highly valued. Candidate also must have significant experience managing projects, mentoring staff, and interacting with clients. The desired candidate is a detailed-oriented individual who can provide technical and strategic support on client projects as well as on business development efforts for our growing environmental practice. Candidates must possess superior quantitative skills, strong organizational abilities, a professional demeanor, excellent written and oral communication skills, and very importantly, a desire to learn and grow both intellectually and professionally. Competitive salary is commensurate with experience. Integral provides an exceptional benefits package with company-subsidized insurance, and an exciting work environment with opportunities for significant professional growth. For confidential consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter, indicating the position in which you are interested, to: integraljobs@integral-corp.com.

The US EPA is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Exposure Analyst/Scientist to work in the Ambient Standards Group (ASG), Health and Environmental Impacts Division (HEID), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) (http://epa.gov/ttn/NAAQS). OAQPS plays a vital role in EPAs efforts to protect against air pollution effects on public health and the environment by assessing scientific and technical information about common air pollutants for use in development and review of national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Major products of this work are the policy assessment and exposure/risk documents that are prepared for the six common criteria pollutants. These documents are key components in EPAs review of NAAQS for those pollutants, serve as a resource for other air pollution work in the EPA and internationally, and undergo extensive review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). The incumbent will play a key role in the scientific/policy assessments of the criteria pollutants and review of the NAAQS; develop plans for and manage population exposure analyses; and participate in public meetings of the CASAC in which draft documents are reviewed. A bachelors degree (or higher) in environmental, health, or physical sciences is required; a masters degree or higher is preferred. United States citizenship required. Benefits: The selected candidate will be eligible for a full benefits package, including health insurance, life insurance, retirement, and vacation and sick leave. Salary range is $53,381 to $98,902 per year commensurate with qualifications. Announcements will be open from about November 29 to December 29, 2006. Application materials must be submitted online by the closing date. You need to submit the additional documentation described in the full text vacancy. Applicants should apply through USAJOBS at www.opm.gov For further information, contact Kathy Anthony at anthony.kathy@epa.gov.