Texas A&M Post-doctoral Researcher Recognized as a Leader in the Field of Toxicological Research
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Society of Toxicology (SOT), the world’s largest and preeminent association representing the field of toxicology, recognized the field’s top researchers and scientists this week through the announcement of recipients of 2015 SOT Awards. The awards honor individuals who are advancing the field of toxicology. One of those honored is Dr. Fabian A. Grimm, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences (VIBS) at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM). He is being honored with the 2015 SOT Colgate-Palmolive Postdoctoral Fellowship Award in In Vitro Toxicology. This award, which includes a stipend and research-related costs of up to $44,000 for one year, is designed to help postdoctoral trainees advance the development of alternatives to animal testing in toxicological research.
“As toxicologists, we are always striving to find better, quicker, more accurate strategies for assessing chemical safety, which is why we are proud to support Dr. Fabian Grimm’s research in this field through the 2015 SOT Colgate-Palmolive Postdoctoral Fellowship Award in In Vitro Toxicology,” said Dr. Norbert E. Kaminski, SOT president 2014–2015. “Dr. Grimm’s proposal to evaluate the feasibility of using biological data-based evaluations to assess the toxic hazard of complex substances, such as petrochemicals, represents the type of work that can only make the field of toxicology stronger.”
The field of toxicology and toxicologists are responsible for aiding human, animal, and environmental health and safety through the study of the adverse effects of chemicals and other biological agents.
“The society is committed to discovering the best methods for evaluating the safety of diverse biological agents, which includes finding alternative methods to traditional animal testing,” Kaminski continued. “With the generous support of Colgate-Palmolive, SOT is able to support research into alternative testing methods through a number of grants and awards each year, and this year’s award recipients have proposed projects that will hopefully further the efficiency and effectiveness of these tests.”
Colgate-Palmolive has been supporting SOT Awards dedicated to the development of alternative testing methods that reduce, replace, or refine the use of animals in toxicological research since 1988.
“Dr. Grimm is a remarkably talented young investigator who joined Dr. Ivan Rusyn’s laboratory this past summer,” said Dr. Evelyn Tiffany-Castiglioni, department head of VIBS. “We are very proud of him for this recognition. He brings a powerful set of complementary skills to his studies, which integrate molecular biology, cell imaging, protein characterization, and quantitative analysis. The award provided by SOT will help Dr. Grimm pursue his innovative approaches to better understand the effects of chemical hazards on health.”
“It is rare that students or postdocs try to move beyond the simple exercise of developing a model, or collecting new information,” said Dr. Ivan Rusyn, SOT Councilor 2012–2015 and professor at the CVM. “I am most excited about his true determination to implement change, to interact with the industry and regulators, and to find meaningful solutions that can be readily implemented tomorrow, rather than in 10 years.”
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be part of a highly collaborative project that will potentially advance non-animal based predictive toxicity assessments in both industry and academia,” said Grimm. “Being supported by the Society of Toxicology and through the 2015 Colgate-Palmolive Postdoctoral Fellowship Award is not just an affirmation of the quality of our research but is also a great honor for me as an aspiring toxicologist.”
All 2015 SOT Award recipients will be honored at the Society’s 54th Annual Meeting & ToxExpo in San Diego, California, from March 22–26, 2015.
About SOT Awards & Honors
The Society of Toxicology (SOT) Awards program recognizes and assists distinguished toxicologists and students each year based on merit – if a worthy recipient is not identified for a given award in a year, the prize will not be awarded that year. In 1962, the Society inducted its first honorary members, establishing its honors program. In 1965, the SOT Awards program was created with the establishment of two awards, the SOT Merit Award and the SOT Achievement Award, to support “the furtherance of the science of toxicology.” Today, the Society presents more than 20 awards that recognize achievement, facilitate travel for senior and budding scientists, and further toxicological research. The SOT Awards program supports the Society’s mission to create a safer and healthier world by advancing the science of toxicology.
About SOT and Animal Testing
In 1986, the Society of Toxicology adopted a position statement regarding the use of animals in toxicology. It stated the Society’s commitment to the responsible use of laboratory animals in toxicological research and testing; the development and use of alternatives to the use of animals; the use of research designs that employ less painful or stressful procedures and improve animal care; and the reduction in the number of animals used for research and testing when scientifically appropriate and valid. In 1989, the Society of Toxicology furthered its commitment to the responsible use of animals in research by adopting a set of guiding principles for the use of animals in toxicology.
About SOT
Founded in 1961, the Society of Toxicology (SOT) is a professional and scholarly organization of more than 7,800 scientists from academic institutions, government, and industry representing the great variety of individuals who practice toxicology in the US and abroad. SOT is committed to creating a safer and healthier world by advancing the science of toxicology. The Society promotes the acquisition and utilization of knowledge in toxicology, aids in the protection of public health, and has a strong commitment to education in toxicology and to the recruitment of students and new members into the profession. For more information about SOT and toxicology, visit the Society online at www.toxicology.org, follow us on Twitter @SOToxicology, and like us on Facebook.
About the CVM
For nearly 100 years, the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences has been committed to improving animal, human, and environmental health through teaching, research, veterinary care, and outreach. For more information about the college, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on
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