Midwest Regional Chapter of the Society of Toxicology
Annual Report from July 1, 2002 – June 30, 2003
Purpose of the MRC-SOT:
1. To serve as the focal point for toxicological interest in the region,
2. To encourage interaction among toxicologists in government, industry and academia, and
3. To sponsor scientific and educational programs in toxicology.
Officers: May, 2003-4 May, 2002-3
President Reid Patterson Michael Schlosser
Vice President Bruce Trela Reid Patterson
Secretary Don Korte Don Korte
Treasurer Linda Tam Madeline Kuhlmann
Councilor Robin Guy Robin Guy
Councilor Randy White Randy White
Councilor Dan McLain Linda Tam
Councilor Susan Schantz Per Blomquist
Past President Micheal Schlosser Stan Roberts
SAC representative Christina Wilson Nathan Matusheski
Membership: 188 paid members representing industry, academia, government and private consultants.
Committee Chairpersons:
Audit – Dan McLain
Awards – Susan Schantz
Membership – Robin Guy
Nominations – Michael Schlosser
Program – Bruce Trela
Newsletter – Randy White
Scientific Programs:
Opportunities and Concerns with Therapeutic Cloning in Medical Research was presented on the afternoon of November 6, 2002 at Baxter Heathcare in Deerfield, IL. The program included presentations on Medical Opportunities and Risks with Cloning Technology by Joel Frader, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics/Medical Ethics & Humanities, Northwestern University, Reproductive Cloning of Domestic Species by Larry Schook, Ph.D., Professor of Comparative Genetics, University of Illinois, Urbana, Legal Constraints on Genetic Research and Cloning by Laurie Rosenow, J.D., Attorney and Senior Fellow, Institute for Science, Law and Technology, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Ethics of Cloning Research by Mark Waymack, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Philosophy, Loyola University. The meeting was very interesting, stimulated considerable dialogue amongst the speakers and the approximately 70 participants in the conference.
Evaluating Risks to the Developing Conceptus was presented on May 16, 2003 at the Lincolnshire Marriott Hotel, Lincolnshire, IL. The meeting was cosponsored by the Midwest Teratology Association, providing an attendance of approximately 160. The morning session was entitled: Impact of Immunotoxicology on the Developing Conceptus and was chaired by internationally-recognized expert, Dr. Mildred Christian. Dr. Rod Dietert from Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine provided the first talk, entitled Developmental Immunotoxicology – Critical Issues, Windows of Sensitivities and Incorporation into Current Regulatory Testing Protocols. This paper was followed by Overview of Immune System Development – Comparison of Human and Laboratory Animal Models by Dr. Michael Luster, Toxicology and Molecular Biology Branch of CDC, NIOSH, Effects of the Maternal Immune System on Developmental Defects by Dr. Steven Holladay, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, and Assessing the Immune Effects on the Developing Conceptus from Vaccine Therapy by Dr. Mildred Christian of Argus International. The afternoon session was co-chaired by myself and Dr. Julia Hui, developmental and reproductive specialist at Abbott Laboratories. It was entitled: Application of Evolving Technologies on Developmental Toxicity Research. Dr. Thomas Knudsen, Thomas Jefferson University Medical College, opened with session with Microarray Analysis of Developmental Toxicity, and was followed by Using Integrated Genomic and Proteomic Approaches to Understand Development and Drug Responses by Dr. Qiang Tiam, Institute for Systems Biology, Alternative Whole Animal Developmental Toxicity Model Systems: Uses and Considerations by Dr. Doug Fort, Fort Environmental Laboratories, and Screening Toxicant Exposure Effects on Organogenesis in Mammalian Systems (Zebrafish) by Dr. Richard Peterson, University of Wisconsin. The meeting was well received and provided a profit of $3,000.
On October 23, 2003, Abbott Laboratories hosted the Fall meeting, entitled: Contributions of Imaging in Toxicological R&D. Approximately 55 attendees enjoyed three talks: NRI in Preclinical Drug Discovery: Non-Invasive, In vivo Methods for Target Compound Evaluation by Dr. Vince Hradil, Abbott Laboratories, Image-based Phenotyping in Toxicology by Dr. Allan Johnson, Duke University Medical Center, and Digital Microscopy Imaging in Toxicologic Pathology by Dr. Xiaoyou Ying, Aventis Pharmaceuticals. The meeting raised raised $1,470 and cleared a small net income for the Chapter.
Awards:
During the Spring Meeting, 2002, John Luyendyk of Michigan State University was the recipient of the Victor Drill Award for the best poster. The MRC-SOT recognizes a leading figure in toxicological teaching, research or practice within the Midwest region of the United States through the Kenneth P. DuBois Award. James E Klaunig at Indiana University won it 2002; Dr. Elizabeth Jeffery of the Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana, was the recipient in 2003. At that same 2003 Spring Meeting, the students recognized for the quality of their posters were Nathan Matusheski of the University of Illinois, the recipient of the Victor Drill Award, and Kristin Stewart, also from the University of Illinois, as the runner-up. During the Fall Meeting of 2003, the first MRC-SOT Young Investigator Awardee was recognized from many qualified students who submitted details of their research efforts. This year’s recipient was Tisha King Heiden from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Budget:
Over the year, income exceeded expenses by $993.79. Total revenues were $20,965, with $4,700 arising from donations from area firms, $5,800 provided by dues to the members, $10,465 arising from meeting registrations and a $1,935.53 credit from the co-sponsor Midwest Teratology Association for Spring meeting. This credit was derived from their share of the expenses for the venue ($2,195.38) and speakers ($340.15), minus a $600 credit provided by the MRC. Expenses totaled $19,971.21. They included $12,538.76 for Marriott Lincolnshire Hotel for 2003 spring conference venue, $4,746.76 for speaker expenses, $2,436.02 for awards, $604.28 for EC meeting expenses, $439.45 for election expenses, $250.00 for SAC representative, and $0.75 for credit card expense.
Initiatives:
1. A thorough review and revision of the By-Laws and Standing Rules was accomplished during the leadership of Dr. Schlosser. The revisions were formally accepted and approved at the EC meeting on June 13, 2003.
2. Interest in hosting a K-12 program in the Chicago area by the EC has initiated investigation into the feasibility and timing.
3. EC will consider permitting exhibitors at the Spring Meeting, when their products are relevant for the program offered at that meeting. These funds are targeted to fund additional student initiatives.
4. The EC launched the first MRC-SOT breakfast at the annual meeting of the SOT, receiving positive feedback and good attendance. It will likely be repeated in 2004.
5. In light of the closure of the Pharmacia site in Skokie, a major source of funding and participation, and other reductions in toxicology support at other area firms, the Membership Committee is working closely with headquarters to encourage other area toxicologics to become more active and join the MRC-SOT. Non-member participants at our annual meetings will be encouraged to submit a membership application.
6. Our SAC representative has proposed the active recruitment of key university professors and student liaisons at each area university with toxicology programs, so they can assist in informing and encouraging participation in the MRC-SOT. These professors will be encouraged to consider forming a university-based club aligned with MRC-SOT. The MRC-SOT could provide speakers and some funding for these club meetings. She is further recommending a “Talk to the Toxicology Professional” program, that would permit students access to professionals in areas of interest or who are role models for the student. She has encouraged the continued generosity by the chapter in low seminar rates, reduced dues, plus travel and investigator awards.
7. Since headquarters now handles our revenues, the EC will seek to eliminate the Audit Committee from its Standing Rules.
8. The chapter shall participate in the headquarter initiative of upgrading and updating our website.
9. The EC will establish a better prospective annual budget for the MRC-SOT.
Respectfully submitted, D. Reid Patterson, D.V.M., Ph.D., 2003-4 President, MRC-SOT
November 24, 2003