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Report of the 23rd annual meeting of the Behavioral Toxicology Society, April 28–30, 2004, Research Triangle Park, NC
Neurotoxicology and Teratology 26 (2004) 693 – 694 www.elsevier.com/locate/neutera
Report of the 23rd annual meeting of the Behavioral Toxicology Society, April 28–30, 2004, Research Triangle Park, NC Ginger Moser President 2003–2004 The Behavioral Toxicology Society (BTS) convened its 23rd meeting in sunny Research Triangle Park, NC. The meeting was held jointly with a NIEHS workshop on ‘‘New Paradigms for Exploring Gene-Environment Behavior Relationships’’, and this was a topic of interest to many BTS attendees. The NIEHS workshop was held during the day on April 28, followed by a joint poster session and reception with BTS that evening. There were 10 posters for viewing/ discussion, as well as plenty of food. The BTS meeting continued the next morning at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel, leading off with a symposium organized and chaired by Dr. John Chelonis, entitled ‘‘Pharmacological and Toxicological Research in Children’’. This was followed by a session addressing the influence of nutrition on behavioral toxicity, and then the Charles River Laboratories Lecture. This year’s guest speaker was Dr. Ian Whishaw of the University of Lethbridge, who provided a fascinating talk on detailed analysis of fine motor movements in rodents. Dr. Whishaw holds numerous awards for his work in physiological studies of behavior and has published over 300 papers; we were quite honored that he made the long trip from Canada to be with us! His talk was followed by a reception and then dinner. The next morning, we held the business meeting and then a session of platform presentations. After the meeting adjourned at noon, about a dozen attendees participated in a tour of the new EPA campus. The meeting was very successful in all respects. This was the first year ever that BTS met during the week instead of the weekend. There were 54 registered attendees, including 13 post docs and students. We received support from NIEHS (Dr. Chelonis’ symposium grant), Research Triangle Institute, and of course, Charles River Laboratories for the guest lecturer. We enjoyed continental breakfasts, lunch, and dinner together, in the traditional BTS format. I would like to end my tenure by thanking the other BTS officers for their involvement and support this past year. I feel that BTS has a critical role to play for those of us interested in using behavior as an indicator of nervous system function. As a group, we should look toward playing a critical role in translating genomic/proteinomic data into something meaningful, e.g., functional changes, in the whole organism. I doi:10.1016/j.ntt.2004.06.005
encourage each of you to become more active in our society by attending and presenting at meetings, browsing our Website (http://www.behavioraltoxicology.org), offering your assistance in various activities, and providing leadership by running for office. Hope to see everyone next year in Florida! Business Meeting Summary Full minutes of the meeting can be found on the Website. The new officers were announced: Dr. Jon Popke as president-elect, and Ms. Tracey Samsam as secretary. Both ran unopposed. We offered three student awards this year and received six submissions for competition (although one was too late for consideration). The winners were Dr. David Rademacher, postdoctoral fellow at Medical College of Wisconsin; Wendy Donlin, graduate student at Auburn University; and Jeff Batis, graduate student at Wayne State University. Dr. Phil Bushnell, the BTS representative to the journal committee, provided information on the status of Neurotoxicology and Teratology (NTT). He presented statistics on the number of submissions per year, which were higher in 2003 than previous years; however, submissions this year are behind what they should be. All members were encouraged to submit their research to the journal. Phil also described the process underway to find a new editor-in-chief to replace Chip Vorhees, who is resigning the end of this year. Both BTS and NBTS have had input in this process by submitting names and interviewing the culled list. The new editor will be announced at the NBTS meeting in June. BTS has received a final ruling on tax-exempt status from the IRS, and we are now classified as a publicly supported charitable organization. This is a major step in the ability of the society to receive donations from individuals and corporations. There were 50 paid members in 2003 and 48 in 2004 as of the meeting. Two additional members joined at the meeting. All members are encouraged to promote the Society for membership and participation.
694
Neurotoxicology and Teratology 26 (2004) 693–694
Dr. Scott Bowen, treasurer, provided current information on the BTS funds. We are in good shape, with US$18,427 in checking and US$10,162 in a CD. Income was low last year because we did not receive the meeting registration payments from the 2003 meeting, which was held jointly with NBTS. Journal subscriptions were increased this year from US$48 to US$55; however, Elsevier did not notify BTS about the increase, and collection of subscription costs this year was only US$48. The officers had decided that BTS would absorb the difference in cost. Next year, the journal will have another increase, so that the 2005 dues will be US$20 plus the US$57 subscription fee. The officers have recommended that the secretary and treasurer offices be combined, since there is considerable redundancy in the positions. We felt that the amount of work would not be an undue burden, given the small size of our society. Other revisions of the bylaws are also needed, and a subcommittee will be undertaking this review in the next few months. The membership will receive a mailing to vote on all changes to the bylaws. Next year’s meeting will be in St. Petersburg, FL, at the Tradewinds Resort, in conjunction with the NBTS meeting. The tentative dates are June 26 – July 1. Incoming president Dr. Bob Parker presented information on the hotel and will be closely involved with the programming committees for both NBTS and Teratology Society. Charles River Laboratories will continue to sponsor the popular and successful Lectureship series, but only in the years when we meet jointly with NBTS.
Dr. Ed Levin stated that the deadline for R13 symposium grants is October 1. He and John offered to share templates from successful grants and help others. BTS has been very successful in using this mechanism to support interesting and timely symposia. Dr. Merle Paule, our AAALAC representative, was not able to attend the meeting, but he sent his update via email. He described the reorganization of AAALAC into North American and European sections, as well as new member organizations. The possibility of meeting with ASPET/BPS will be considered, although this will require planning at least a year in advance, which may be difficult for a small society. To end the meeting, Dr. Bob Parker, incoming president, presented Drs. Ginger Moser and Becky Brockel with plaques to recognize their service to BTS. Officers 2004– 2005 President Dr. Bob Parker Past-President Dr. Ginger Moser President-Elect Dr. Jon Popke Treasurer Dr. Scott Bowen Secretary Ms. Tracey Samsam
Report of the 23rd annual meeting of the Behavioral Toxicology Society, April 28–30, 2004, Research Triangle Park, NC Ginger Moser President 2003–2004 The Behavioral Toxicology Society (BTS) convened its 23rd meeting in sunny Research Triangle Park, NC. The meeting was held jointly with a NIEHS workshop on ‘‘New Paradigms for Exploring Gene-Environment Behavior Relationships’’, and this was a topic of interest to many BTS attendees. The NIEHS workshop was held during the day on April 28, followed by a joint poster session and reception with BTS that evening. There were 10 posters for viewing/ discussion, as well as plenty of food. The BTS meeting continued the next morning at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel, leading off with a symposium organized and chaired by Dr. John Chelonis, entitled ‘‘Pharmacological and Toxicological Research in Children’’. This was followed by a session addressing the influence of nutrition on behavioral toxicity, and then the Charles River Laboratories Lecture. This year’s guest speaker was Dr. Ian Whishaw of the University of Lethbridge, who provided a fascinating talk on detailed analysis of fine motor movements in rodents. Dr. Whishaw holds numerous awards for his work in physiological studies of behavior and has published over 300 papers; we were quite honored that he made the long trip from Canada to be with us! His talk was followed by a reception and then dinner. The next morning, we held the business meeting and then a session of platform presentations. After the meeting adjourned at noon, about a dozen attendees participated in a tour of the new EPA campus. The meeting was very successful in all respects. This was the first year ever that BTS met during the week instead of the weekend. There were 54 registered attendees, including 13 post docs and students. We received support from NIEHS (Dr. Chelonis’ symposium grant), Research Triangle Institute, and of course, Charles River Laboratories for the guest lecturer. We enjoyed continental breakfasts, lunch, and dinner together, in the traditional BTS format. I would like to end my tenure by thanking the other BTS officers for their involvement and support this past year. I feel that BTS has a critical role to play for those of us interested in using behavior as an indicator of nervous system function. As a group, we should look toward playing a critical role in translating genomic/proteinomic data into something meaningful, e.g., functional changes, in the whole organism. I doi:10.1016/j.ntt.2004.06.005
encourage each of you to become more active in our society by attending and presenting at meetings, browsing our Website (http://www.behavioraltoxicology.org), offering your assistance in various activities, and providing leadership by running for office. Hope to see everyone next year in Florida! Business Meeting Summary Full minutes of the meeting can be found on the Website. The new officers were announced: Dr. Jon Popke as president-elect, and Ms. Tracey Samsam as secretary. Both ran unopposed. We offered three student awards this year and received six submissions for competition (although one was too late for consideration). The winners were Dr. David Rademacher, postdoctoral fellow at Medical College of Wisconsin; Wendy Donlin, graduate student at Auburn University; and Jeff Batis, graduate student at Wayne State University. Dr. Phil Bushnell, the BTS representative to the journal committee, provided information on the status of Neurotoxicology and Teratology (NTT). He presented statistics on the number of submissions per year, which were higher in 2003 than previous years; however, submissions this year are behind what they should be. All members were encouraged to submit their research to the journal. Phil also described the process underway to find a new editor-in-chief to replace Chip Vorhees, who is resigning the end of this year. Both BTS and NBTS have had input in this process by submitting names and interviewing the culled list. The new editor will be announced at the NBTS meeting in June. BTS has received a final ruling on tax-exempt status from the IRS, and we are now classified as a publicly supported charitable organization. This is a major step in the ability of the society to receive donations from individuals and corporations. There were 50 paid members in 2003 and 48 in 2004 as of the meeting. Two additional members joined at the meeting. All members are encouraged to promote the Society for membership and participation.
694
Neurotoxicology and Teratology 26 (2004) 693–694
Dr. Scott Bowen, treasurer, provided current information on the BTS funds. We are in good shape, with US$18,427 in checking and US$10,162 in a CD. Income was low last year because we did not receive the meeting registration payments from the 2003 meeting, which was held jointly with NBTS. Journal subscriptions were increased this year from US$48 to US$55; however, Elsevier did not notify BTS about the increase, and collection of subscription costs this year was only US$48. The officers had decided that BTS would absorb the difference in cost. Next year, the journal will have another increase, so that the 2005 dues will be US$20 plus the US$57 subscription fee. The officers have recommended that the secretary and treasurer offices be combined, since there is considerable redundancy in the positions. We felt that the amount of work would not be an undue burden, given the small size of our society. Other revisions of the bylaws are also needed, and a subcommittee will be undertaking this review in the next few months. The membership will receive a mailing to vote on all changes to the bylaws. Next year’s meeting will be in St. Petersburg, FL, at the Tradewinds Resort, in conjunction with the NBTS meeting. The tentative dates are June 26 – July 1. Incoming president Dr. Bob Parker presented information on the hotel and will be closely involved with the programming committees for both NBTS and Teratology Society. Charles River Laboratories will continue to sponsor the popular and successful Lectureship series, but only in the years when we meet jointly with NBTS.
Dr. Ed Levin stated that the deadline for R13 symposium grants is October 1. He and John offered to share templates from successful grants and help others. BTS has been very successful in using this mechanism to support interesting and timely symposia. Dr. Merle Paule, our AAALAC representative, was not able to attend the meeting, but he sent his update via email. He described the reorganization of AAALAC into North American and European sections, as well as new member organizations. The possibility of meeting with ASPET/BPS will be considered, although this will require planning at least a year in advance, which may be difficult for a small society. To end the meeting, Dr. Bob Parker, incoming president, presented Drs. Ginger Moser and Becky Brockel with plaques to recognize their service to BTS. Officers 2004– 2005 President Dr. Bob Parker Past-President Dr. Ginger Moser President-Elect Dr. Jon Popke Treasurer Dr. Scott Bowen Secretary Ms. Tracey Samsam