Society of Toxicology

Society of Toxicology
Name	Society of Toxicology
Founded	0 1961
Headquarters	Reston, Virginia, United States
Key people	Dori R. Germolec (President, 2024–2025)
Website	https://www.toxicology.org/

Society of Toxicology. The Society of Toxicology (SOT) is a premier professional and scholarly organization dedicated to advancing the science of toxicology and its application for the benefit of public, environmental, and occupational health. Founded in 1961, it serves as a global forum for the exchange of scientific information among toxicologists from academia, government, and industry. The society promotes the acquisition and utilization of knowledge in toxicology, supports education and training, and advocates for sound scientific approaches in regulatory decision-making.

History

The organization was formally established in 1961 at a meeting in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with Harold C. Hodge serving as its first president. Its creation responded to a growing need for a dedicated professional body to support the rapidly expanding field, which was gaining prominence due to increased chemical use and public health concerns following events like the Thalidomide scandal. Early leadership included prominent figures such as William B. Deichmann and Kenneth P. DuBois, who helped shape its scientific direction. A significant early milestone was the launch of its flagship journal, Toxicological Sciences, in 1981, which became a cornerstone of its scholarly output. Over the decades, it has grown from a primarily North American group to an international organization with members from over 60 countries, reflecting the global nature of toxicological challenges.

Organization and governance

The society is governed by an elected Board of Directors led by a President, currently Dori R. Germolec of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Key governing bodies include the Council and numerous committees, such as the Program Committee and the Awards Committee. Its administrative headquarters are located in Reston, Virginia. Membership is categorized into several types, including Full, Associate, and Student, with eligibility based on professional experience and education in toxicology or related fields like pharmacology and biochemistry. Regional chapters, such as the Mid-Atlantic Chapter and the British Toxicology Society (as a affiliated group), and special interest groups provide more localized and focused forums for members.

Activities and programs

Its central activity is the annual SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo, one of the largest global gatherings of toxicologists, featuring thousands of scientific presentations, symposia, and exhibitions. The society runs extensive continuing education programs through workshops and webinars, often in collaboration with entities like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A major public outreach initiative is ToxScholar, which sends members to universities to promote toxicology careers. It also engages in significant science policy advocacy, providing expert testimony to bodies like the U.S. Congress and collaborating with agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency and the European Chemicals Agency on issues such as chemical risk assessment and alternative methods to animal testing.

Publications

The primary scholarly publication is the official journal Toxicological Sciences, which publishes peer-reviewed research on a broad spectrum of topics. Other key publications include the newsletter Toxicologist, the open-access journal Toxicological Sciences (Advance Access), and the SOT Communiqué. The society also publishes critical resources such as the Perspectives series, position papers, and collaborative reports, often with partners like the International Life Sciences Institute. These publications serve as essential resources for scientists at institutions like the National Toxicology Program and regulatory agencies worldwide.

Awards and honors

It administers a prestigious suite of awards recognizing scientific achievement. The highest honor is the SOT Merit Award, bestowed for distinguished contributions to toxicology. Other major awards include the SOT Achievement Award for early-career scientists, the SOT Distinguished Toxicology Scholar Award, and the SOT Arnold J. Lehman Award for significant impacts on regulatory toxicology. Specialized awards like the SOT Colgate-Palmolive Grants for Alternative Research and the SOT Undergraduate Student Research Award support innovative and educational endeavors. Many award recipients have gone on to leadership roles at organizations such as the World Health Organization and major pharmaceutical companies.

Special interest groups

To address specialized sub-disciplines, the society supports over 20 Special Interest Groups (SIGs). These include the Mechanisms SIG, the Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology SIG, and the Immunotoxicology SIG. Other active groups focus on areas like Inhalation Toxicology, Neurotoxicology, and Computational Toxicology. These SIGs organize focused sessions at the SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo, sponsor awards, and foster collaborations that advance specific fields, often interfacing with specialized committees of the International Union of Toxicology.

Category:Scientific organizations based in the United States Category:Toxicology organizations Category:Professional associations based in Virginia