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Genetic Toxicology Association Summer Board of Directors Meeting
Pfizer Global Research, Groton, CT
July 13, 2007
Meeting Commenced at 9:20 a.m.





Attending Board Members: Ofelia Olivero (Chair), Matt Cowlen (Secretary), Patricia Escobar, Magnus Evertson, Warren Ku

Board Members Participating by Phone: Rama Gudi, Jiaqin Yao

Attending Committee Chairs: Leon Stankowski (Treasurer), Chris Farabaugh (Assistant Treasurer), Krista Dobo (Newsletter Editor)

Committee Chairs Participating By Phone: Maria Donner (Membership Chair), Rassi Borneo (Webmaster)

Other Participants: Errol Zeiger (GEMS), Christine Witt (GEMS)



Review of the Minutes from the Spring GTA Board Meeting

Presenter:  Matt

Discussion:  Future BOD minutes should be posted on the web, but not in the Newsletter

Decisions and Assigned Action Items:  Board agreed. Minutes were revised to indicate this change. Minutes approved.

Review of Action Items

Presenter:  Ofelia

Discussion:

Review of Spring Meeting survey:   Survey indicated a desire for a regulatory and practical genetic toxicology focus with more time for networking. In addition, 19 of 25 responders indicated they would attend a 2 day meeting once a year (one additional responder said maybe). The board discussed this option. A two day meeting would allow for a broader scope to address attendee concerns expressed in the survey. Format could include keynote address, roundtables, workshops, social time for networking, etc.

Decisions and Assigned Action Items:  Board agreed to hold scientific meeting once a year for two days in the fall starting Sept 2008 (Tues, Wed, or Thurs) to avoid conflict with EMS. Focus will be on ICH/regulatory aspects of genetox. Spring Meeting 2008 will be cancelled.
Action: Add new meeting format to be to web site (flashing headline; Rassi), Newsletter (Krista), corporate sponsorship letter (Warren), and Fall Meeting agenda (Organizing Committee).

Presentation of GTA Excellence in Science Award at EMS:  Ofelia talked to Dan Benz.

Decisions and Assigned Action Items: Acknowledged.

$100 Award to Mary Schockley

Decisions and Assigned Action Items:  Acknowledged.

Exhibitors for Fall 2007 Meeting

Decisions and Assigned Action Items: Leon to contact exhibitors for Fall meeting.

Corporate Sponsorship:  1. Request for sponsorship.
2. Thank you letters for recent sponsors.

Decisions and Assigned Action Items:  1. Letter asking for corporate membership needs to be sent out soon. Should reflect new two-tiered membership and emphasize need for sponsorship to support new 2-day meeting format.
Actions:  Warren to write letter, Matt to sign and mail.
2. Actions:  Matt to write and send letters to Pfizer and Covance.

Cosponsor of student poster session at EMS

Decisions and Assigned Action Items:  Decision made to contribute $500 toward cost. Invoice already received from EMS. Leon to pay.


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Treasurer’s Report

Presenter:  Leon

Discussion: Approximately $2000 surplus since last report (just prior to Spring Meeting); however, $1000 is due for Student Travel Award, $500 is due to EMS to co-sponsor Student Poster Session, and meetings typically incur a small loss (the same is expected for Fall 2007). Net worth 30,500. Proposal to open new account(s).

Decisions and Assigned Action Items: New account(s) approved by Board.
Action: Matt to write letter to bank(s). Leon to provide contact info on new bank(s).

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Web Site Report

Presenter: Rassi

Discussion: Rassi is transferring web site account from Jon Redburn. Site down temporarily. Googling GTA gives “Grand Theft Auto” sites. Rassi will work to fix it. People don’t like chiming music on site.

Decisions and Assigned Action Items: Action:  Rassi to work on Google problem and eliminate music.

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Membership Report

Presenter: Maria

Discussion:
  1. 74 members are currently paid for 2007. A total of 184 are current or are 1 - 2 years delinquent. Most people pay during meeting, some cycle every other year.
  2. Should we have a membership directory on web site?
  3. Suggested change in Membership Chair to same location as Treasurer.

Decisions and Assigned Action Items:

  1. Proactively approach past members; electronic outreach, direct mailing. Use new meeting format and focus to advertise for new members.
  2. Discuss membership directory at Fall business meeting. Suggestion that it not be open access; members only.
  3. Membership chair will stay as is (Maria).

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Newsletter Report

Presenter: Krista

Discussion: Newsletter deadlines.

Decisions and Assigned Action Items:

  July 20 Deadlines:
  1. Co-chair’s (Magnus and Rama) meeting agenda
    for fall meeting.
  2. Paragraph about meeting – Co-chairs .
  3. Letter from Chair
  4. Highlights from previous meeting – Ofelia and Patricia
  5. Newletter mailing in mid-Aug
  6. Corporate sponsorship acknowledgement – Krista
  7. Dates for Fall 2008 meeting – Leon
  8. Dan Benz piece on his talk from Excellence in Science Award
  9. Piece on ICH revision (David Jacobson-Kram?)
  10. Photos from Spring meeting – Krista
  July 31 Deadline:
  1. Labeling for Newsletter – Maria


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Student Outreach

Presenter: Warren

Discussion: Four students attended Spring 2007 meeting with posters; three were from Ofelia's lab. No one from academic labs, which was focus of recruitment effort. Need to attract academic PI's in order for students to attend. Focus on new science would help. Two day meeting allows for both academic and regulatory science. Focus on academic scientists directly involved in genetox. Need to define the objectives of having students involved and what incentives are needed to achieve attendance.

Proposal by Magnus to have corporate-sponsored student research grant.

Warren proposed incentive should be cash award for best poster. Job placement service could be another incentive.

Decisions and Assigned Action Items: Keep simple for first meeting; bulletin board for job/CV postings. For the first two-day meeting, focus on inviting academic PIs and have open poster session with cash award.
Action:  Warren to give outline of plan at Fall business meeting and write article for Newsletter.


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Fall Meeting

Presenter: Magnus, Rama

Discussion:
  1. Meeting title: Positive, Now what? Topic suggestions: Relevance of positive findings, HESI update, Tertiary Review Committee, new science to address the issue
  2. Exhibitors
  3. Deadline for registration
  4. Lunch Menu
Decisions and Assigned Action Items:
  1. Potential speakers being contacted. Student award presentation after lunch. No poster session. Dates confirmed with UD.
  2. Action:  Confirm exhibitors (Leon)
  3. On-line registration deadline (at reduced rate) 1 week prior to meeting.
  4. Lunch menu: Ginger Sesame Chicken Breast
        Broiled Filet of Salmon
        Baked Ziti with Fresh Mozzarella (limited number for vegetarians)
        Mixed Greens w/choice of dressing
        Stirred-fired Vegetable Medley
        Wild Rice Medley
        Chocolate Mousse
        Cheese Cake w/Seasonal Berries

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New Business

Discussion:

  1. Fall 2008 Meeting
  2. New Board member nominees are needed. Ofelia’s and Rama’s terms end in Sept.
  3. GEMS/GTA Joint Meeting: Discussion with Errol Zeiger and Christine Witt. Follow-up from Vancouver EMS meeting. Need to explore ways to increase visibility of the organizations and how GEMS and GTA could collaborate, recognizing divergence of membership.
Decisions and Assigned Action Items:
  1. 2008 Meeting Organizing Committee will be Matt (Chair), Warren, Chris, Jiaqin, and Leon.
    Action:  Determine framework of meeting and how to utilize layout of Clayton Hall (smaller rooms for breakout sessions, etc). To be discussed at Fall 2007 Board meeting.
    Action:  Warren to send EMS sample framework.
  2. Action:  Board members to ask contacts who might be interested.
    Action:  Advertise in Newsletter (Krista).
  3. GEMS open to exploring joint session at EMS meeting. Follow-up at a later date.

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Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm.

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