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As we wrap up the 2019 EUROTOX congress, we want to highlight the various awards presented in Helsinki, and congratulate the respective recipients for their scientific contributions and professional excellence in toxicology. 

2019 MERIT AWARD

EUROTOX honours annually a distinguished European toxicologist with the Merit Award. This year's Merit Award recipient is Prof. Dr. Ursula Gundert-Remy.

Prof. Heather Wallace, EUROTOX President (2018-2020) presents the 2019 EUROTOX Merit Award to Prof. Dr. Ursula Gundert-Remy at the opening ceremony of the Helsinki congress held September 8, 2019.

2019 BHMF LECTURE 

The Bo Holmstedt Memorial Foundation (BHMF) Lecture Award is presented every year during the EUROTOX congress to recognise scientists who have made outstanding research contributions to the science of drug or chemical toxicology. This year's award recipient is Dr. Wout Slob (The Netherlands).

Dr. Wout Slob, recipient of the 2019 Bo Holmstedt Lecture Award, accepts the award presented by Prof. Herman Autrup (BHMF) and Prof. Heather Wallace (EUROTOX President) during the EUROTOX Helsinki congress, September 11, 2019

2019 EARLY CAREER AWARDS

Early career toxicologists are encouraged by the annual Early Career Awards for best poster presentation in two distinct categories. The EUROTOX Gerhard-Zbinden award for drug-oriented toxicological research was presented to Dr. Cátia Filipa Marques, from Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal for the work on "New insights into Montelukast metabolism – possible implications to the drug’s adverse effects". The ECETOC Christa Hennes Award for toxicological research into mechanisms and risk assessment was presented to Dr. Julia Kühnlenz, from TissUse GmbH, Contract Development, Berlin, Germany, for the work on "Establishment of a Multi-Organ-Chip based identification platform for endocrine disruptors".  A highly commended mention in this category was presented to Dr. Govind  Sharan  Gupta, from Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Division of Molecular Toxicology, Stockholm, Sweden, for the work on "Cobalt-impregnated tungsten nanoparticles and cobalt ions trigger toxicity in differentiating neuronal cells: potential link to parkinsonian neurodegeneration".

See entire list of awards and photos.

2019 HONORARY MEMBER

Recognising individuals who have rendered distinguished service to foster toxicology across Europe, the 2019 EUROTOX Honorary Member recognition was presented to Prof. Jay Goodman (USA) during the EUROTOX Helsinki Council Meeting (BCM) held in Helsinki, September 10, 2019.

The 2019 EUROTOX Honorary Member recognition presented to Prof. Jay Goodman by EUROTOX President, Prof. Heather Wallace, during the 2019 Business Council meeting held in Helsinki, September 10, 2019. 

EUROTOX is pleased to announce that it has joined the Scientific Liaison Coalition (SLC). The mission of SLC is to improve the ability of societies to partner with other domestic and international organisations with the goal of advancing science to improve human and environmental health. Benefits of membership include participation in identifying and fostering awareness of cutting-edge interdisciplinary scientific advances, networking opportunities across diverse scientific societies, and enhanced volunteer opportunities
 
"Over the last two years, EUROTOX has worked to fine tune its mission to "foster the science and education of toxicology, and influence regulatory and policy frameworks to promote the safety of humans, animals and the environment, and protect global health. We believe that joining the Scientific Liaison Coalition (SLC) is an excellent way to continue to strengthen our long term strategic vision to continue to increase the awareness of toxicology and the importance role it plays in ensuring the well being of human and animal welfare", said Prof. Heather Wallace, EUROTOX President.  

EUROTOX members will be able to participate in the upcoming SLC webinar, “Health Hazards of Electronic Cigarettes” featuring Dr. Neal Benowitz. The live webinar will take place Tuesday, September 17 at 11:00 am American Eastern standard time.

Since 2014, the SLC website has grown to include all the SLC webinar recordings. These recordings are freely accessible, demonstrating the SLC commitment to sharing knowledge to improve human and environmental health.

EUROTOX and IUTOX signed a memorandum of understanding during the SOT in Baltimore earlier this year. The agreement contains guidelines for the future of IUTOX International Congress of Toxicology (ICT) meetings to be held in Europe. The 2022 IUTOX ICT will be organised in Maastricht by the Dutch Society, and in collaboration with EUROTOX. Jun Kanno, President of IUTOX, and Heather Wallace, President of EUROTOX, are pictured after the signed agreement.

Following the position statement published in Elsevier's Toxicology Letters "Toxicology as an academic discipline in European Universities", and the general notion shared among the scientific community that toxicology training across Europe is declining, EUROTOX has launched a research project to collect evidence to determine whether this is really the case.  The research project will be implemented by an external firm, working closely with members of the EUROTOX Executive Committee, and seeks to develop methods to help to better understand the landscape of toxicology education and training.  EUROTOX member societies, individual members, as well other key stakeholders will be contacted over the next 6-10 months to take part of this valuable research project. 

The EUROTOX fellowship program supporting participants and cross-border exchange of teachers to comprehensive training in Toxicology (ERT Courses) has come to an end.. Established in 2013, the EUROTOX fellowship program provided financial support and incentives for cross-border attendance of ERT courses to individuals motivated for a career in toxicology, by providing travelling and accommodation costs, and course fees (obligatory in most ERT courses). The program was successful in helping students, and young career scientists across Europe begin their theoretical ERT education, but also professionals already on the track for ERT registration.