Teratology Society
Members' Section
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Teratology Society Members' Section |
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Teratology Society Newsletter Volume
7, Number 4 Table of Contents George P.
Daston, Ph.D., Editor, The Procter & Gamble Co., Miami Valley Labs.,
Carol C.
Lemire, Executive Secretary, Eve G. Kagan, Assistant Exec. Secretary,
ABSTRACTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY FEBRUARY 6, 1998 Send Abstracts to: Anthony R.
Scialli, M.D. Tel: 202
687-8259 Enclosed are two abstract forms and an instruction sheet. Please follow the instructions carefully in preparing your abstract and indicate whether you prefer poster or platform presentation. Abstracts reproduce best in the journal if the print is not too small; 10-point font is the smallest you should use and 12-point looks much better. Your abstract should contain the standard elements of a scientific paper (an introduction laying out the problem, methods, results, and discussion, put the results in perspective). Abstracts should include the results that will be presented at the meeting. Do not indicate simply that "results will be presented." This year's meeting will feature a special emphasis on poster presentations and the majority of abstracts will be accepted as posters. If you believe that your presentation can only be made from the platform, please enclose a letter indicating the reasons why a poster presentation would not be acceptable. If there are any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Tony Scialli. In addition to the abstract form, we will need eight (8) photocopies, which are used by the Program Committee in its deliberations. If your lab is submitting more than one abstract, feel free to include them in the same package. If you have students who are presenting abstracts, please assist them in completing the abstract forms. Please read the newsletter articles about awards for trainees for which these presentations may be eligible.
38TH ANNUAL
TERATOLOGY SOCIETY MEETING The San Diego Princess is located in the center of San Diego, on a forty-four acre island in Mission Bay only 8 minutes from the San Diego International Airport. Within 45 minutes or less from the resort are the following attractions: Sea World, Wild Animal Park, San Diego Zoo at Balboa Park and historic Old Town. On site are five pools (two heated), six lighted championship tennis courts, an innovative 18-hole putting golf course, a sand volleyball court, a 1.3 mile running course, over a mile of white sand beach for swimming and sunbathing as well as sailboats, motorboats and padddle boats for rent. Hotel Room Rates
Based upon availability and single/double occupancy, these special room rates are applicable three days prior to and three days after our meeting. Please make your reservations directly with the San Diego Princess (800-344-2626). REMEMBER, RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE NO LATER THAN MAY 25, 1998 IF THE TERATOLOGY SOCIETY IS TO RECEIVE A CREDIT FOR YOUR STAY (ONE COMPLIMENTARY ROOM FOR EVERY FIFTY ROOMS ACTUALLY PAID/OCCUPIED) The San Diego Princess offers the following complimentary items:
THE 38TH ANNUAL MEETING - WHAT'S NEW IN 1998 You have heard lots about the Strategic Planning Initiative, the program to redefine our Society's purpose and our ways of doing business. An important part of the initiative has been the critical evaluation of the Annuual Meeting. Although some parts of the meeting, such as the sites and meal functions, are locked in by contract for the next three meetings, the scientific program is open to change right now. In response to a large number of very helpful comments and suggestions, we have made some modifications that should make the meeting more responsive to the needs of the members. Here are some of the changes that have been made: Reducing the cost There is general agreement that the registration fee has gotten too high, yet in the past, these fees have not been high enough to cover the actual costs of the meeting. Getting costs down, therefore, is a priority. For 1998, we will have one less meal function and fewer invited speakers (meaning fewer hotel rooms and travel expenses for the Society). More open submission of abstracts We will no longer require that nonmembers of the Society seek a sponsor in order to submit an abstract. Abstracts will be judged on scientific merit rather than Society membership of an author and we will encourage nonmembers to submit appropriate work for consideration. We will invite nonmembers who submit abstracts to apply for Society membership, but membership will not be required. Later abstract deadline The deadline for abstracts has been pushed back to February 6. The abstract deadline is based on the need for the Program Committee to review the abstracts and place them on the program in time to get the program typed and submitted to the publisher. The publisher needs the completed program in camera-ready form before April 5 in order to get the issue of Teratology printed and mailed in time for the meeting. We are exploring the possibility that electronic submission of abstracts will in the future permit the deadline to be pushed back even further. Elimination of concurrent sessions Members will no longer have to choose among platform sessions. We have been told that the diversity of the Society is one of our greatest strengths and to capitalize on that diversity, we will have platform presentations on similar topics grouped together without regard to the method of investigation. For example, a platform session on cardiac malformations might include papers describing whole animal, molecular, and epidemiology methods. This kind of multidisciplinary platform session was tried at last year's meeting and was well-received. We will have concurrent presentations for the Poster Discussion sessions (see below). More attention to posters With the elimination of concurrent platform presentations, we will increase the proportion of submitted abstracts that are accepted as posters. Members like poster sessions because of the opportunity to interact with the investigator responsible for the work. We will have the posters up longer - from Monday morning through Tuesday night. Members will be able to view the posters throughout Monday and Tuesday and there will be an unattended poster session on Monday evening. On Tuesday evening, we will have the usual attended poster session, placed after a dinner break to enhance blood glucose concentrations. Wednesday morning, we will have concurrent Poster Discussion sessions during which moderators will lead a detailed discussion of work presented in specific hot areas of research (the subjects and moderators will be selected based on the abstracts we receive). Special discussion sessions We are adding two discussion sessions to allow members an opportunity to interact on two issues of current importance. T he first will be a review of two legal cases in which testimony on teratology has been given. The situation of the case will be presented and excerpts from the testimony will be provided (without identification of the individual giving the testimony). Audience members will be asked to peer-review the scientific quality of the testimony. There will NOT be a lecture to the audience on whether the testimony is "right" or "wrong"; rather, it will be up to you, the audience, to evaluate what has been said under oath. We plan to present testimony both from plaintiff and defense experts, so this session will not be simply a harangue against the plaintiff's bar. The second discussion section will concern whether our current methods of testing drugs and other chemicals has been successful. Thirty years ago, Doctor Wilson went to the blackboard at a Teratology Society meeting and sketched out a study design that is still in use. Has it worked or do we need to go back to the blackboard? Increased role for the Warkany lecturer In addition to making the lead-off presentation of the meeting, the Warkany lecturer will moderate the student presentations followed by a tea in honor of the lecturer. The increased participation in the meeting will give the lecturer more opportunities for interaction with Society members. We invite you to take a look at the Program and we look forward to your comments. Although different members have different expectations of the meeting, our goal is to make the meeting meet the needs of the greatest number of our members. You feedback is important in realizing this goal. Comments on the 1998 meeting should go to Tony Scialli (202 687-8259; fax 202 687- 4018; sciallia@gunet.georgetown.edu) and suggestions for the 1999 meeting should go to George Daston (513 627-2886; fax 513 627-1908; daston.gp@pg.com).
Saturday June 20, 1998
Sunday June 21 1998
Monday June 22 1998
Tuesday June 23 1988
Wednesday June 24 1998
Thursday June 25 1998
The San Diego Princess Resort is an ideal family vacation location. The resort is located on a self-contained peninsula with acres of recreational facilities. The hotel is willing to organize a camp for the children of members who are attending the meeting if there is sufficient interest. Camps would be available for groups from three years of age through teens. The cost of the camps will depend on the number and ages of children and the times of day that we would like our kids to be entertained. In order to make arrangements for a kids camp and to get a price quote, we need to know how many members will be interested in such a program. Fax, phone, or email the following information to Tony Scialli (202 687-8259; fax 202 687-4018; sciallia@gunet.georgetown.edu). We need your response by Friday January 9, 1998.
The Teratology Society is pleased to announce an award program to recognize an individual with exceptional promise as demonstrated by excellence in research in fields related to abnormal development. The award honors F. Clarke Fraser, one of the founding members of the Teratology Society. The criteria for the award include evidence of a successful independent research career as demonstrated, for example, by high quality publications in peer-reviewed journals and the obtaining of funding for research endeavors. It is anticipated that individuals working in academia, government, and industry will be equally eligible to compete for this award. Candidates for the award must be within ten years of the date their doctoral degree was conferred and must be proposed by a member of the Society. Letters of proposal should be sent to the Chair of the Awards Committee (address below) and should include past accomplishments of the candidate, current research interests and projects, and how the proposer believes the candidate's career will advance discovery in birth defects research. The proposal package should consist of the following items:
Complete proposal packages must be received by the Chair of the Awards Committee by February 28. The Chair of the Awards Committee will notify Council of the Committee's selection, if any, for that year, and the Awardee will be notified by May 1. The Award will be given at the Wilson lunch at which the Awardee will give a 30-minute presentation related to his/her research. It is intended that the presentation will serve as a demonstration to pre- and postdoctoral students of the development of an independent career in birth defects research. Address inquiries and proposals to:
One of the strengths of the Teratology Society is the diversity of its membership and we would like to broaden our membership base. This year, as in other years, we will be welcoming a number of new members. Our Constitution and Bylaws specify that membership must be voted at the Annual Meeting. The Bylaws Committee is looking into an amendment to permit new members to be added at other times of the year; however, until that issue is resolved, we will be happy to invite applicants for membership to attend the Annual Meeting under the reduced Member registration fee. I had an interesting experience after the last meeting. I sent a one-page memo to members of my Department explaining what the Teratology Society is and indicating that the Society is interested in having a diverse member base. I included a photocopied membership application form and asked my colleagues to consider becoming members. I received ten completed applications in reply. This excellent response suggests two things to me: 1. There are a lot of people with a professional interest in preventing birth defects and 2. Many of them are not aware that the Teratology Society exists and would welcome their involvement. It is not likely that each of us could attract an additional ten members to the Society, but I would like to ask you to write a short note to your colleagues making them aware of the Society and its activities. Include a copy of the application (see the back cover of the newsletter) and let's see what happens. Tony Scialli
The membership dues statements will be sent soon. The dues statement has been redesigned to collect additional information about members. Please take a minute to complete all parts of the statement. We are particularly interested in obtaining email addresses on Members. Electronic communication will offer an inexpensive and rapid method for getting news to Members and we hope to expand our ability to get useful information to you in a timely manner. We are also looking toward electronic newsletters, abstract submission, and meeting registration for the near future. Of course, those members who do not have email will not be left out: paper communication will continue to be used when necessary. Dues have not increased this year. In order for the Society to run effectively, dues are needed promptly and we ask you to attend to them as soon as you receive your statement. Although dues are payable on receipt of the statement, your subscription to Teratology will not be cancelled for unpaid dues until the end of February. The dues statement also includes an optional contribution to the Warkany Memorial Fund. This fund honors Josef Warkany, one of the founders of the Society. The Warkany Memorial Fund is used to support the Warkany lectureship, one of the highlights of our Annual Meeting.
1. Two cash awards of $500.00 (one James G. Wilson, one Wilson Family) for the best research presentation by graduate students in accredited degree-granting programs. 2. Two cash awards of $500.00 (one James G. Wilson, one Wilson Family) for the best research pressentations by postdoctoral fellows. In order
to be considered for these awards, applicants must submit expanded packets
of materials directly to the chair of the Student Affairs Committee. Unlike
regular abstracts, they should not be submitted to the chair of the Program
Committee. Packets should include an abstract (on the standard Society
abstract form) plus a maximum of 3 additional pages of written materials.
The latter should include detail on hypothesis, methods and conclusions
of the study performed. Two additional pages of illustrations may also
be included, as necessary. Eight copies of these materials must be
received by the abstract deadline (February 6, 1998). Alan
G. Fantel, Ph.D. Papers received by the deadline will be reviewed by members of the Student Affairs Committee and a maximum of 8 selected for oral presentation at a special platform session at the annual meeting of the society. Abstracts of papers not selected for the second round of judging will be passed on to the Program Committee for consideration for placement in other sessions. For this reason, each presenter should indicate his or her choice of platform or poster presentation. Awards will be announced at the Eighth Annual Wilson Banquet to be held at the Annual Meeting of the Teratology Society. LILLY TRAVEL AWARDS TO WOMEN AND MINORITIES The Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical Corporation has once again generously agreed to provide two travel awards of $500.00 to women and/or minority students or postdoctoral fellows. In order to be considered for this award, please indicate eligibility and interest to: Alan
G. Fantel, Ph.D. TRAVEL AWARDS To assist graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in meeting the expenses associated with attending the annual meeting, the Teratology Society will make a limited number of Young Investigator Awards available. The amount of these awards will be determined by demand and the availability of funds. They are limited to pre- and postdoctoral fellows who give research presentations at the annual meeting. In exchange for this support, students and fellows will be asked to provide audiovisual assistance at the meeting. A schedule will be drawn up by the chair of the Student Affairs Committee and sent to all Travel Award recipients. If there is a conflict with this schedule, please notify the Student Affairs Committee chair promptly. Interested
graduate students and postdoctoral fellows should send: (2) a copy of the abstract submitted for presentation at the 1998 meeting to: Alan
G. Fantel, Ph.D.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDICINAL COMPOUNDS AND ASSESSING RISKS OF DRUG EXPOSURE DURING PREGNANCY - January 12 & 13, 1998, NIH, Natcher Conference Center, Bethesda, MD. The course has been offered three times within a two year period to FDA, to train pharmacologists and medical officers in reproductive toxicology and human risk assessment for drug use in pregnancy. This is an intensive course, specifically designed to help the participant understand reproductive toxicology, particularly in those studies submitted to FDA. Space is limited. For more information, contact Sidney Stolzenberg, Ph.D., 15432 Narcissus Way, Rockville, MD 20853-1746, Tel: (301) 594-5345 (office); Email: stolzenbergs@cder.fda.gov. INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM: PASSIVE SMOKING AND CHILDREN: Clinical and Experimental Forums - August 24-26, 1998, University Medical Center of Essen, Essen, Germany. For further information, contact: Toxicology Laboratory, Institut fur Hygiene & Arbeitsmedizin, Univ.-Klinikum, Hufelandstr. 55, D-45147, Essen, Germany. Fax: +49 (201) 723-5956; Email: toxicol98@aol.com. |
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