Survey Outcome
Results from the Fall meeting survey
were presented by Rama and discussed by
the Board.
Based on feedback from past student awardee,
the Board discussed having a lunch table
at meetings for students to interact with
members from government, industry, and academia
for networking, learning about career opportunities,
etc. It was decided to discuss this further
at a future meeting.
Directions to meeting site was an issue.
Need to look at map and directions on website
and make recommendations to improve.
The survey will be kept as is for the time
being and reassessed at a later date.
Rama was recognized and thanked for running
survey.
Web Site
List of web page contents will be sent
to Jonathon (about 30 individual pages).
Spring meeting abstracts will be posted
on web site. Presenters will be asked upfront
to provide them. Abstracts for spring and
fall meetings should be sent to Dan Benz.
Dan Benz emailed Peter Stambrook who agreed
that the EMS website is very difficult to
navigate. Barry indicated that EMS website
has a Google local search engine; mostly
GTA sites come up when searched. Membership
list, which is difficult to find, needs
further discussion. The site needs drop
down sub-menus for navigation.
Dan Levy raised the issue of how the Board
controls the web site. Someone on the Board
needs to be liaison with the webmaster to
channel info. Dan L asked Dan B if he would
like to continue and he indicated he would
rather have someone else do it. Krista Dobo
was suggested as a logical choice since
she's already working on Newsletter, photos,
etc. Question arose as to how much more
work this would be. Jonathon will do actual
technical work but needs to be fed information.
Jonathon also needs someone to work with
him on web site design. Dan B offered to
be involved in the design of the site. Liaison
would send info to Jon and check web site
to make sure things are posted corrected.
Agenda and abstracts would be posted for
scientific meetings. Dan L will talk to
Krista; this will be taken up again at next
BOD meeting. If Krista doesn't want to do
it then someone else will be recruited.
Membership
Andrea indicated that there were about
6 to 10 new members. Andrea will send Dan
B the updated membership. Dan will get this
on the website, then pass the responsibility
on to the next website liaison.
Andrea indicated that she wants to step
down as chair of the membership committee.
A new membership chair will be recruited.
Top priorities of the new chair will be
to evaluate the membership directory and
how it should be overhauled. The directory
and email capability need to be more functional.
Membership dues were discussed: Some people
enroll on website but forget to send their
checks. GTA might be able to collect membership
dues at meetings. People also register as
members and pay $60 (instead of $75), but
they never join or pay dues. Need to send
emails reminding folks that they owe their
membership fee.
Recruiting new members was discussed. Recruiting
is a big job, especially if we have lots
of emails to send out. Andrea estimates
about 30 hours per year on database, mailing
lists, etc. not including meetings, travel
etc, just sitting at computer. Usually a
weekend before each meeting is spent on
membership issues. Andrea suggested two
people from same company, one who's good
with computers and will work on database,
and someone who will interface with membership,
send emails, etc.
There was a discussion around whether people
who live on west coast should be encouraged
to join GTA due to a perceived geographical
isolation. It was decided that members from
distant locations will be encouraged to
join.
GTA Charter
A discussion ensued about a change in
the charter of GTA to focus more on applied
genetic toxicology, risk assessment, etc.,
because EMS has become almost exclusively
about DNA repair. There was a proposal to
meet with BOD from GEMS and GETA (Genetic
Environmental Toxicology Association, Berkley,
CA) to discuss a collaboration in which
GTA could fill a niche that is underserved
by EMS. Dan L. will contact the other organizations
for a discussion at EMS in Vancouver.
Student Outreach
Ofelia will head up the student outreach
effort. A letter from Richard San from 2000,
which raised the issue of recruiting faculty
and students, was discussed. At GEMS, many
students come due to proximity to Universities.
They invite local professors who bring students.
GEMS has student awards which pay for travel
to meetings, given at the end of the poster
session. Students go to be a part of the
competition. Dan suggested possibility of
having poster session at the Spring meeting
to select the student travel award recipient
for the fall EMS meeting. This was voted
on after discussion and was agreed to unanimously.
Ofelia will contact academic labs that are
known to attend EMS to recruit student participants.
Professor should be encouraged to accompany
student. Both will be able to register for
free. Students will be asked to send pdf
of posters in advance for review. Authors
will attend poster during morning and afternoon
break. Board members will look at the posters
during morning break and announce winner
at end of meeting. There will be one winner,
$1000 to travel to EMS in Vancouver in the
Fall, plus platform presentation at Fall
GTA meeting (travel paid). It was suggest
that this format be followed at every Spring
meeting if successful.
An advertisement for the meeting and poster
session with a call for abstracts will be
included in the next Newsletter. Abstracts
will be due one week prior to meeting via
email. Registration on website should have
check box for student bringing poster.
Poster boards will be needed. Andrea will
bring them from Dupont in her vehicle. Ofelia
needs to know size to convey to student
authors.
Old Business
GTA Excellence in Science Award
Recipient will receive $200 and a plaque
($50 cost). Dan B will take care of this.
Winner will be invited to give 15 minute
talk and asked to provide Bio for Newsletter.
Winner has been selected but will be kept
secret until Spring meeting. Will play "guess
who" game at Spring meeting prior to
announcement.
Dan will make sure winner knows, accepts,
and can attend meeting. Will decide if necessary
what to do if winner can't attend.
Future of this award will be evaluated at
Spring BOD meeting depending on how current
award goes.
GTA Spring Meeting
It was announced that May 18 is not
available for Clayton Hall for Spring meeting.
The New date will be May 17. Rama and Haizhou
will confirm with speakers.
The meeting will be titled "Mechanisms
of Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity".
Speakers will be as follows:
Ajit Thakur
(Covance) Low dose extrapolation of carcinogenic
risk -- accepted
Marilyn
Aardema (P&G) - accepted (wants
travel expenses paid by GTA)
Maik Shuler
(Pfizer) PK inhibitors
Ron Snyder
(Schering Plough) Topoisomerase II enzymes
- orally accepted
Steve Yan
(FDA) Mechanisms of antimicrobial drug resistance
-- accepted.
Vicki Dellarko
and Nancy McCarrol (EPA) Mode of Action
using case studies. - accepted
Presentation will be 30 minutes each with
10 minutes for questions. Excellence in
Science Award will be presented during meeting.
Joe will send agenda.
Exhibitors. Greg is coordinating
exhibitors, including MolTox, BioReliance
(Rama), Loats Assoc., MD Biosciences, and
Helix3 (Maria Vasques). Cost will be $100
(GTA cost $30)
Name Tags. Greg has two Word files
in his possession (originally from Leon).
Dan B, Andrea, and Greg have access to website
database. It was suggested that new Membership
Chair be responsible for name badges. Another
suggestion was made to have meeting organizers
do this. Rama offered to ask BioReliance
meeting organizers to make them or offer
assistance since they do it for their meetings.
Dan will forward files with names badges
from previous meeting to Rama so she can
see format (this doesn't need to be followed
strictly). Dan B will add Rama to list of
people who get list of registrants by email.
Greg will communicate organizations who
send a single list of multiple attendees
(i.e., Merck). Receipts will be done separately
by Greg. Rama will bring some blank tags
with logo for attendees that register on
site. Deadline for registration on website
by Friday before meeting. There will be
separate badges for members, speakers, etc.
Arrangements with U of DE. Greg will
make arrangement with the University.
Meals. Speaker dinner the night before
meeting. Matt to pay with credit card, Greg
will reimburse with GTA check.
Breakfast:
as in past, continental
Lunch:
Sautéed Beef Tips and Ginger
Chicken (see menu choices from U of D),
Greek Orzo Salad,
Herb Roasted Chicken, Herb Roasted Potatoes,
Chocolate Cake, Apple Pie
Secretary to keep track of the menus for
the meetings so we don't repeat too soon
in the future.
Recognition of 30 year members/anniversary
of GTA. We recognized 20 and 25 years. Have
had dessert and/or champagne in the past.
Put decision about recognition off until
next board meeting.
Deadlines. Rama will send reminders
to speakers of deadlines. Joe will send
email with deadlines and tentative agenda
for Spring meeting.
GTA Post office box renewal
Post office box expires in February.
UPS (agent) PO box costs $300 for 15 months.
Greg made a motion to keep PO box because
in the bylaws we must maintain a Delaware
address. It was decided to drop the post
office box and use Maria's address in DE
as GTA's official address.
Brochures
Andrea proposed updating GTA brochure
to reflect change in Membership Chair. Dan
B offered to have brochure reprinted. Will
revisit at Summer meeting.
Use of e-mail to contact members
Email list needs updating. Dan L offered
to get list of bounce-backs and put new
list together. Dan will send "Letter
from Chair" to membership by email
with announcement of Spring meeting. There
was agreement that we should increase communication
with membership via email. Will revisit
this after we get new Membership Chair.
Dan B proposed that we have a membership
committee rather than a chair to spread
out responsibilities.
Lifetime memberships for GTA
It was decided that there will be no
lifetime memberships.
New Business
Gift for Jag
Outgoing Chair usually receives a book,
but Jag requested money go to student award.
It was decided to give $100 for second place
poster on behalf of Jag. Jag can present
award if he comes to meeting.
Will also give Jag an "Appreciation
of Service" certificate.
Summer Board Meeting
Usually at Pfizer, but no one from Pfizer
was present at BOD meeting. Dan L will contact
Warren. Second option is at BI (Ridgefield,
CT). Tentatively date set for Friday, July
21 at Pfizer.
Fall Meeting
Tentatively Thursday, October 19. Maria
will ask Warren to be co-organizers. Topic
to be decided at Spring BOD meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately
2:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Matthew S. Cowlen, Ph.D., Secretary
Back
to Top ↑
Minutes of the May
17, 2006 Meeting of the GTA Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of the Genetic Toxicology
Association met at Clayton Hall, University
of Delaware, Newark, DE on May 17, 2006
following the Spring 2006 Meeting.
Members of the Board in attendance at the
meeting were Dan Levy (Chair), Maria Donner,
Rama Gudi, Ofelia Olivero, and Haizhou (Joe)
Zhang. Greg Erexson (outgoing Treasurer),
Leon Stankowski (incoming Treasurer as of
this meeting), Andrea Ham (outgoing Membership
Chair), and Krista Dobo (Newsletter Editor)
were also in attendance. Board members Matt
Cowlen (Secretary), and Warren Ku were unable
to attend. The meeting came to order at
approximately 4:30 PM. Dan Levy provided
the agenda for the meeting. Maria Donner
acted as meeting secretary in the absence
of Matt Cowlen.
Selection of a new GTA New Treasurer
Leon Stankowski, was selected to treasurer.
Greg Erexson was acknowledged and thanked
for his services to GTA as the outgoing
Treasurer.
Selection of a new GTA Membership Chair
Maria Donner was selected to membership
chair. Andrea Ham was acknowledged and thanked
for her services to GTA as the outgoing
Membership Chair.
Review of Minutes of Winter GTA Board
Meeting (Secretary)
The board reviewed and approved the minutes
from the winter 2006 board meeting by vote.
Action items for today's meeting were reviewed
They include selection of a GTA Board liaison
for the webmaster, the proposed joint meeting
with the GEMS and GETA Boards at the EMS
meeting in Vancouver in September 2007,
and celebration of GTA's 30th anniversary.
All action items are captured in connection
with the appropriate agenda items below.
Treasurer's Report
Greg Erexson presented his Treasurer's
Report on the finances of the GTA. The current
value of GTA's 30-month CD is $18,877.68
(issued October 7, 2004; 3.10% APR; matures
on April 7, 2007). The current value of
the 10-month CD is $5,192.55 (issued October
8, 2005; 2.85% APR; matures on June 7, 2006).
The Wachovia Business Checking Account balance
is $4,560.61.
Total assets as of May 17, 2006 are $28,630.84.
The maturing 10-month CD was briefly discussed.
Leon Stankowski will look into further investment
options and communicate with the Board by
e-mail.
GTA Award
The first GTA Excellence in Science
Award was given to Sheila Galloway at the
GTA Spring Meeting 2006. The recipient received
$200, a plaque, and a box of gourmet dark
chocolate. The recipient gave a short talk
at the meeting. The Board discussed the
award ceremony and found it educative and
humanizing. It was decided to continue with
the award as an annual tradition unless
decided differently. Dan Benz was again
delegated to solicitation of nominations.
The next award will be given in the spring
of 2007.
Web Site
The initial design of the web page has
been completed by Jonathon Redburn. He will
add the current contents of the existing
GTA web pages to the new pages, and add
the pages to the EMS web site as a replacement
of the old site. This is projected to be
completed by the end of May. This also completes
the redesign phase of the GTA web site.
GTA will need a volunteer for doing mechanistic
updates. One GTA member approached Dan Levy
during the Spring Meeting and announced
his interest. Dan will contact the person
(identity kept confidential at this point
in time).
GTA will also need a Board Liaison for the
web site. Krista Dobo (Newsletter Editor)
was suggested and she gladly accepted the
task. This also provides a human link between
the web site and the news letter. Rama Gudi
will inform Jonathon that he can expect
e-mails from Krista, and why this is.
The Membership Directory will need an update.
Dan Benz sent an e-mail earlier this spring,
which might had encountered spam limitations
and was consequently not received even by
several Board members.
The outgoing Webmaster Dan Benz will be
recognized on the Fall Meeting. Details
will be decided on the Summer Board Meeting.
Membership Report
Andrea Ham (outgoing Membership Chair)
reported that she has a memo describing
the tasks of the Membership Chair. She also
has old archives and data bases. One urgent
task is to update the membership list for
e-mail addresses. Maria Donner, the incoming
Membership Chair, will review the situation
once files are transferred to her. The transfer
is projected to happen sometimes in the
beginning of June (6/1 -6/15).
Membership was discussed: Andrea reported
that the membership is going down. This
was illustrated by a graph picturing membership
1998 - 2006. It was suggested that the Board
approaches the membership explaining the
harsh realities of budgets for organizations,
and with the proposal that members kindly
would consider paying their dues even though
they do not attend meetings.
Membership Outreach
It was suggested that membership could
be increased by contacting persons who were
once GTA members, and urge them to rejoin
the organization. A 2-day GTA meeting was
discussed, and the possibilities to organize
it as a joint meeting with another organization,
such as AGT or regional SOT chapters. The
topic for such a meeting is critical for
participation. Possible interesting topics
that were mentioned: New ways of doing cancer
research; Use of early markers for carcinogenicity;
Human carcinogenicity; and Models to Predict
Risk. GTA membership could be asked for
additional topics of interest. It was noted
that the membership could be asked for general
proposals for GTA scientific meetings as
well as interest in chairing /co-chairing
session(s) on the meetings. This would be
an approach to generate increased membership
involvement.
The outreach through meetings and membership
input will be on the agenda for the Summer
Board Meeting.
Survey Outcome
Rama Gudi will summarize the survey
outcome form the Spring meeting and send
it to the Board.
It was noted that the survey could have
included a question about the student poster
session.
Student Outreach / GTA Travel Award
Ofelia Olivero sent a student outreach
message about the GTA meeting and the poster
session / GTA travel award to the recipients
listed by earlier GTA Student Outreach efforts,
and some replies were received. She also
made some phone calls to faculty in academic
labs that she knows have students working
with them. This effort was not fruitful.
One issue brought forward by faculty was
that lack of funds for supporting the student's
travel to the EMS meeting makes it worthless
to compete for the GTA award, and that attending
the GTA meeting also requires funds. The
board discussed the possibility of the GTA
student award recipient not being able to
attend the EMS meeting, but it was not considered
a financial issue since the $1000 check
is awarded at the meeting itself.
Three posters were presented at the Student
poster session at the Spring Meeting. A
fourth abstract was submitted, but the poster
was not brought to the meeting. The presented
posters were very well attended and positively
received by the meeting attendees. The authors
attended the poster during all breaks. Three
Board members, unassociated with the authors,
judged the posters and the winner was announced
at the end of the Spring meeting. The winner
was Audrey A. King, who will receive $1000.00
to travel to EMS in Vancouver. She will
also present a platform presentation at
the Fall GTA meeting (travel and accommodation
will be paid by GTA). Jessica M. Ming was
awarded a $100 GTA travel award for the
second place poster. This award was instituted
by the Board upon the wish of Devaraya Jagannath
in lieu of a personal recognition for being
the past GTA Chair.
This format, with student poster presentations,
was considered very successful, and it will
be followed at the Spring Meeting 2007 as
well, and on future meetings if not differently
decided by the Board. An announcement about
the Spring 2007 GTA Student Travel Award
will be made by Ofelia at the Student Award
Session at the EMS Meeting in Vancouver.
The future of the $100 GTA award will be
discussed at the next GTA Board meeting
(in August 2006).
Newsletter
The Board approved Krista Dobo's
proposal to add a scientific piece to the
Newsletter. This could perhaps alternate
with the member profiles. For the next Newsletter
it was decided that:
|
¨
|
The Scientific Excellence Award winner,
Sheila Galloway, will be asked to write
up her speech from the Spring Meeting
instead of a membership profile. Krista
will ask Sheila. |
|
¨
|
David Jacobson-Kram and Ron Snyder were
brought forward as possible future membership
profiles. |
Old Business
Archiving old newsletters
Old newsletters are being provided to
Krista Dobo.
Summer Board Meeting
The Summer Board Meeting will be at
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Ridgefield,
CT on Friday, August 11. Joe Zhang will
provide travel and lodging information.
Meeting with GETA and GEMS
Dan Levy has contacted both organizations,
regarding the joint meeting with BOD from
GEMS and GETA (Genetic Environmental Toxicology
Association, Berkley, CA) at the EMS meting
in Vancouver to discuss a collaboration
in which GTA could fill a niche of applied
genetic toxicology, risk assessment, etc.
that is presently underserved by EMS. Neither
organization as responded yet.
Ongoing Projects
- New GTA brochure
Andrea Ham (outgoing Membership Chair) informed
the Board that the current GTA brochure
would need to be updated. The previous update
was done in year 2000, when 2000 copies
were printed at a cost of $586.00. About
75% of these brochures are still left. The
brochure is mainly used for GTA Membership
Applications. Andrea will correct the brochure
and send the draft to the Board. Dan Benz
had offered previously (Winter Board Meeting
2006) to have the brochure printed. However,
no decision was made regarding the printing.
- Updating e-mail list
The Email list needs updating. Maria Donner
(incoming Membership Chair) will review
the situation when she receives data and
material from Andrea Ham (outgoing Membership
Chair). There was an earlier agreement at
the Winter Board meeting 2006 that the GTA
Board should increase communication with
membership via email.
New Business
GTA Fall 2006 Meeting
The GTA Fall 2006 meeting will be on
Thursday October 19, 2006, at the Clayton
Hall, Newark, DE 19711. Maria Donner and
Warren Ku will co-chair the meeting, and
they are also responsible for the scientific
program.
The arrangements with the University of
Delaware for the meeting location have been
made, as well as a "standing reservation"
for the 3rd Thursdays in May and October
until differently agreed between GTA and
Clayton Hall. Leon Stankowski is taking
over the contacts with UD upon the resignation
of Greg Erexson.
The meeting will be titled "Technological
Advancements for Improving Current Genetic
Toxicology Testing".
Krista Dobo represented Warren Ku in questions
regarding the scientific agenda for the
meeting. In addition, GTA's 30th anniversary
will be reflected at the Fall 2006 meeting.
Suggestions included cake, champagne, and
some festive decorations.
Tentative topics:
- New insights for Ames testing
- Cytotoxicity measurements by flow methodology
on GLP cytogenetic assays
- Flow technology for other genetox endpoints;
analyses of peripheral blood for human
biomarkers
- Outcome from HESI/IWGT (meeting in
June in DC) regarding follow up testing
for in vitro positives
- ILSI Genomic work - FDA's acceptance
of voluntarily submissions of genomics
date
- FDA/ICCVAM advice/thoughts on turning
"good ideas into regulatory use"
- technology and process.
Presentation will be 30 minutes each with
10 minutes for questions.
Maria Donner and Warren Ku will continue
with program planning and contacting of
speakers. The scientific program and all
meeting related issues will be discussed
at the Summer Board meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately
6:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Maria Donner, Ph.D.
Acting Meeting Secretary for Matthew S.
Cowlen, Ph.D., GTA Secretary
Back
to Top ↑
Minutes of the August
11, 2006 Meeting of the GTA Board of Directors
Attendees: Dan Levy, Chair; Leon Stankowski,
Treasurer; Krista Dobo, Newsletter Editor;
Haizhou (Joe) Zhang; Ofelia Olivero; Matt
Cowlen, Secretary.
Attended by teleconference: Maria Donner,
Membership Chair; Warren Ku; Rama Gudi
Meeting came to order at approximately 9:20
a.m.
Review minutes of Spring GTA Board Meeting
Minutes were reviewed by the Board and adopted
by consensus vote.
Treasurer's Report
Leon reviewed GTA's reviewed the Treasurer's
Report, which was adopted by unanimous consent.
The report is presented in Attachments 1
and 2.
Dan proposed being proactive with future
GTA meeting speakers to communicate the
need to minimize travel costs.
Membership Report
Almost 1000 names listed on the membership
list; of these, barely 1/10 have currently
paid membership dues.
The Board discussed how to get people to
pay, and how to get old members back. People
only pay membership fees if they attend
a meeting. Dan proposed that we have a mailing
to boost membership. This would include
an information package about GTA and a membership
brochure/application.
Leon suggested including membership info
with mailing about upcoming scientific meetings
in the Newsletter. This would include a
separate page indicating to those that haven't
paid that the Newsletter will be their last,
describing the benefits of membership (Newsletter,
Student Travel Award, professional development,
discounted meeting registration), and encouraging
payment. Dan volunteered to write cover
letter for Newsletter.
Action Item: Maria to circulate abbreviated
membership list of several hundred people
to BOD members ASAP (before email and Newsletter
advertising the Fall meeting). BOD members
will look over list to identify people they
know and update any info they can provide;
send info back to Maria. Maria will cross-check
list between GTA and EMS; Ofelia will check
difficult cases against SOT and AACR. In
mid Sept, Dan will get list and send emails
to everyone on the list saying that the
individual is on the list, that they haven't
paid dues, benefits of membership, and how
to pay.
Web Site Report
Maria spoke with EMS about how they are
doing their membership list on the web,
including electronic payment on a secure
site. EMS indicated that the hosting situation
changing such that website access issues
may arise. EMS may not want GTA to be part
of the website, and GTA site might not be
secure. Also, technical changes to the EMS
site might impact GTA site.
Action Item: Maria will send contact
info for the company working on EMS website
(Eshow) so that Jonathan can talk to them.
Rama will contact Jonathon so he can get
in touch with Isho to find out if anything
EMS is planning will impact GTA.
GTA website is still the old version, but
new site should be up and running in the
next week or so. Jonathon will let Krista
know when the site is online and she will
let the BOD know.
Dan talked with a volunteer who might want
to help with the web site. This person has
web site experience and is a GTA member.
It was proposed to ask Jonathon if he will
work with this individual, who could then
help manage the web site. This will increase
involvement of a GTA member and be used
as an example of how people can get involved.
Action Item: Krista will inform Jonathon
that we would like the volunteer to get
involved; emails will be sent to both so
they can get in touch.
Newsletter Report
Last meeting BOD discussed having a scientific
piece in the Newsletter. A survey respondent
also mentioned this. Sheila Galloway to
contribute first piece.
Last meeting also had discussion on GTA
members contributing ideas about topics
for scientific meetings. GTA member could
work with BOD member to facilitate planning.
Member that proposes topics could also co-chair
the meeting.
| Deadlines
for next Newsletter: |
| |
Schedule of
events for meeting, speakers names,
affiliations, titles of presentation
from Warren by Aug 25. |
| |
Final minutes
of the summer BOD meeting from Matt
by Aug 25 |
| |
Letter from
Chair and flyer for dues solicitation
from Dan Aug 31 |
| |
List of people
that haven't paid from Maria for flyer
by Aug 31 |
| |
Mailing labels
for Newsletter from Maria by Aug 31 |
Student Outreach
Logistics for selecting student travel award
should encourage students to come to GTA
meeting. Personal effort of Dan and Ofelia
helped to achieve objective at last meeting.
Three students presented well received poster,
students benefited, etc. Proposal to have
each BOD member try to get one student to
come and present a poster.
Proposal to divorce GTA Travel Award from
EMS. Needs to be carefully considered in
light of the historical relationship between
EMS and GTA.
GTA chair will present checks to winner
and runner-up at EMS Student Reception.
Warren described a program that the Northeast
Chapter of SOT used to invite students to
regional meeting, which included getting
students to be on the program as speakers.
Action item: Get photo of Student
Award presentation for Newsletter.
Action item: Ophelia to send Student
Outreach list to BOD members, who will identify
and contact students about GTA meetings.
Action item: Decide on poster session
for next meeting.
Old Business
GTA Fall Meeting
"Scientific and Technological Advancements
for Improving Current Toxicological Testing",
Thursday, October 19, 2006 at Clayton Hall,
University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
Meeting will be chaired by Maria and Warren.
The meeting agenda with speakers names,
affiliations, and title of presentation
will be posted on the web site.
At the time of the BOD meeting, there were
6 proposed speakers; 4 are confirmed, other
2 are invited. Need to have backups in case
some decline.
Format 35 min talk w/ 10 min discussion.
3 before lunch, 3 after, including student
presentation. Suggestion made to time talks
and indicate when there is 5 minutes left.\
May have a panel discussion at the end (about
3:00 pm); will help maintain audience to
the end of the meeting. Panel discussion
should have a title and be lead to be effective.
May have to reduce number of speakers to
5, or reduce discussion to 5 minutes at
the end of each talk to facilitate time
for the panel discussion.
Action item: Warren to send meeting
agenda with list of speakers, titles etc.
by email to BOD.
Greg has list of exhibitors
Action item: Leon to get list from
Greg.
Arrangements with U of DE:
Morning coffee, pastries, etc. Left out
and refreshed for 10:00 break.
Lunch menu choices reviewed by BOD. Selected
Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Baked Ziti with fresh
mozzarella, mixed greens salad, snow peas
and carrots with sesame seeds, wild rice
medley, cheese cake with seasonal berries,
chocolate cake (need to request).
Coffee and tea at afternoon break with cake
and champagne for 30th anniversary celebration
(see below). Need more food than last time
because we ran out.
Recognition of GTA's 30th anniversary
25th anniversary had mugs, cake, etc to
celebrate. Suggestion that we invite founders
of GTA if possible. Cake and champagne at
afternoon break. Balloons at serving table
and a few others.
Action item: Krista to send list
of founders to Leon.
Deadlines
Meeting program finalized by Aug 25.
Abstracts from speakers via Maria and Warren
to Krista for posting on web site by Sept
15.
List of attendees to Rama two weeks before
meeting for name badges. Update one week
before meeting. Rama to incorporate 30th
anniversary celebration artwork into badge.
Spring Meeting Survey - Highlights
(complete survey in Attachment 3)
Speakers going over on their times. Discussed
above.
Shorter introductions, more time for discussion,
stay on schedule.
Providing coffee during break.
Presentations sent ahead of time, but this
is up to the speaker. We can't comply with
this request.
Meeting room comments included projection
quality, more dimming of lights in front,
room too small.
BOD agreed that survey is a useful tool
for planning future meetings.
New question: Would you come to a two day
meeting; once per year vs. twice per year?
Ask speakers to repeat question before answering.
New topic suggestions: comet assay, screening
Ames test. Dan pointed out that we had a
comet assay talk recently. Keep all other
questions.
Updated Membership Brochure
Action item: Maria to send brochure
to BOD. BOD will send comments to Dan, who
will integrate all comments and make PDF
for review by BOD. Fax number will be dropped
Updated Email List (Maria)
Action item: Dan will send list of
bounce-backs from upcoming emailing to Maria.
Excellence in Science Award/discussion
of the GTA Award
Report on conversations with GETA and
GEMS
GETA is moving away from genetic toxicology.
May merge with regional SOT chapter. None
of their BOD members will be at EMS.
Dan talking to Errol Zeiger and Les Recio
about GEMS; they would like to meet at EMS.
May also invite Sheila Galloway. Goal is
to push EMS to pay more attention to genetic
toxicology in general, and regulatory aspects.
Dan will organize meeting at EMS.
Recognition of Dan Benz for service
as Web Master at Fall meeting.
Idea: 5-1/4 in floppy disc with thumb
drive attached, or abacas. Look for old
technology to bring to meeting.
New Business
Dates for meetings: The EMS Factor
Decision to have GTA meetings in April and
Sept instead of May and October to avoid
conflict with fall EMS.
Suggestion to have a two day meeting once
a year; decision deferred until we have
feedback from survey.
GTA meetings: Should we change the
format (multi-day? Co-sponsored) or the
way that they are organized (include non-board
members)
Discussed above.
New board member nominees
Three slots opening on BOD as of today.
Dan, Haizhou, and Maria stepping down.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately
3:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Matthew S. Cowlen, Ph.D., Secretary
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Minutes
of the October 19, 2006 Meeting of the GTA
Board of Directors
Members of the Board in attendance at the
meeting were Matthew Cowlen (secretary,
took the minutes), Patricia Escobar, Magnus
Evertson, Ramadevi Gudi, Warren Ku, Ofelia
Olivero, and Jiaqin Yao. Also present: Krista
Dobo (Newletter Editor), Maria Donner (Membership
Chair), and Leon Stankowski (Treasurer).
The meeting came to order at approximately
4:40 p.m.
Election of New Board Chair
Rama nominated Ofelia for Board Chair
for 2007; Warren seconded the nomination.
There were no other nominations. Ofelia
was elected and congratulated.
Minutes from the Summer Board Meeting
The minutes from the Summer Board Meeting
on August 11, 2006, were reviewed. Approval
was motioned and seconded. Approved. Minutes
will be included in newsletter and posted
on the web site -Krista.
Treasurer's Report
GTA needs to ensure that the annual
budget will have a positive cash flow. Currently
this is not always the case.
Suggested solutions:
- Ask Board members to get reimbursed
by their business organizations for the
speaker/board dinner.
- Increase the membership dues to $40
for full members and $20 for students
and postdocs.
- Increase the registration fee for the
spring and fall meetings to $75 for members;
$90 for nonmembers; $25 for students for
pre-registration (defined as registration
at least one week before the meeting),
and to $85, $100, and $25, respectively,
for registration within one week of meeting.
- Place plea on web site for tax-deductible
donations; ask each sponsor if they want
to be recognized on web site or else.
- Solicit corporate sponsors for annual
donations.
The Board discussed ideas for sponsor rewards.
Different levels of rewards could be given
depending on the donated amount, and could
include "advertisements", logos, etc., or
inclusion of sponsor names as a scrolling
banner on the GTA web site.
GTA could announce sponsorships for refreshments
on break sessions, or for sponsoring the
lunch, at the biannual meetings. See www.cometassay.com
as an example.
Membership Report
The Membership List (MS Access format)
has over 900 names. Many are not current
members, and gaps exist. About 70 members
paid dues for 2006.
- Letter for membership dues to be resent
in Newsletter in Feb ’07. Prompting
membership should be a regular practice.
- The format of the membership list could
be simplified to an Excel spreadsheet
with current paid members only.
- Should the generic user name and password
be distributed after updating the membership
list?
- More membership brochures will be printed
out and brought to Spring meeting
Newsletter
Ideas for future meetings.
- Point-Counter Point discussion between
Sheila Galloway and David Jacobson-Kram
on whether or not to drop in vitro mammalian
cytogenetic assay from core battery could
be a Newsletter item.
- Current ICH issues in SOT Regulatory
Specialty Section.
Web Site
What is the best way for Board to communicate
with Jonathan (webmaster)? Jonathan was
engaged to develop the web site, now when
it is done a new webmaster needs to be identified
and trained. Lots of emails from various
people has caused some difficulty. Should
there be a single point of contact?
The Board wants to recognize the previous
webmaster, Dan Benz. Discussion about list
of email addresses for circulating info
by email.
Old Business
Updated Membership Brochure
The membership brochure was discussed. It
was updated earlier in 2006, but the fate
of the updated brochure was not clear.
Update of Email List
The Email list was discussed. Updates are
needed.
GEMS Conversations
Report on conversations between GTA and
GEMS. Interest in combined effort to influence
program and special interest topics around
testing at EMS meeting.
Dates for Future Meetings - Coordination
with EMS
The 2007 GTA biannual meetings are planned
for April and September to avoid conflict
with EMS 2007.
Membership Levels/ Lifetime membership
Membership levels were discussed earlier
(see above). A lifetime membership (fee)
was discussed. The topic has been discussed
by previous boards, and it has been concluded
that a lifetime fee would not contribute
to the sustainability of GTA.
Excellence in Science Award
The GTA Excellence in Science Award was
discussed.
New Business
Election of an Assistant Treasurer
Leon nominated of Chris Farbaugh as Assistant
Treasurer. The nomination was second. There
were no other nominations.
Straightening out the membership / dues
list
Topic already discussed (see above). A standard
list of things that need to be done for
organizing the meeting would be useful.
Ofelia has already started this.
"SOP" for organizing meetings
Organizers: Patricia and Ofelia
Topics: Bridging gap between genetic toxicology
and carcinogensis; biomarkers for carcinogenesis
for use in in vitro screening; advancing
biomarkers in third world countries.
Contact ILSI-HESI - there is an initiative
to use early markers to predict carcinogenesis
Spring 2007 Meeting
Speakers: About six speakers are needed.
It would be desirable to engage somebody
from NCI. Include in Newsletter – finalized
by early Feb.
Winter Board Meeting
The Winter Board Meeting will be Thurs last
week of Jan 11, 2007 at BioReliance
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