Gradient Awarded Top 10 Best Computational Toxicology Specialty Section Abstract in the Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting

Gradient scientist Dr. Isaac Mohar was awarded Top 10 abstract in the Computational Toxicology Specialty Section category as part of the scientific proceedings in the Society of Toxicology 2023 Annual Meeting

[March 20, 2023, Boston, MA] – The Society of Toxicology (SOT) Computational Toxicology Specialty Section has awarded Gradient’s abstract one of the Top 10 abstracts for the Computational Toxicology Specialty Section of its 2023 Annual Meeting.  The winning abstract, “Frameworks for In Silico Toxicity Screening of Novel Odorants,” was authored by Dr. Isaac Mohar, Brad Hansen, Destiny Mims, and Dr. Joel Mainland.  The poster was presented at SOT’s 62^nd Annual Meeting and ToxExpo.

According to the SOT website, “The SOT Specialty Sections represent the breadth and diversity of the toxicological sciences by focusing on specific toxicological areas.”  The Computational Toxicology Specialty Section focuses on computational toxicology, “a multidisciplinary science that requires understanding of computational sciences, systems biology, exposure science, risk assessment, and risk management.”

This “Top 10 Best SOT-CTSS Abstract Award” is one of many awards offered by the Computational Toxicology Specialty Section.  Any abstract submitted to SOT that focuses on computational toxicology is eligible for this award.

Dr. Mohar is a principal scientist at Gradient and an expert in toxicology and immunology.  He has over 20 years of experience in drug and chemical toxicology, immunology, and reproductive biology research.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Mohar and his fellow authors on receiving this award!

Gradient LLC is an environmental and risk sciences consulting firm renowned for scientific excellence.  We provide cutting-edge risk sciences consulting services to design and strategize responsive and protective solutions to environmental and human health challenges.

Keywords:  Gradient, Dr. Isaac Mohar, Society of Toxicology (SOT), computational toxicology

Ari Lewis Invited to Serve on the US EPA Science Advisory Board Environmental Justice Screen Review Panel

Gradient scientist Ari Lewis appointed to US EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) EJScreen Review Panel

[March 20, 2023, Boston, MA] – The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) recently announced appointments to its Science Advisory Board (SAB) ad hoc review panel for EJScreen, its new environmental justice (EJ) screening and mapping tool.  Gradient scientist Ari Lewis, M.S., was selected to serve as one of nineteen panel members.

According to the US EPA Environmental Justice website, EJ is “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”  The new EJScreen tool was developed to help US EPA meet its responsibilities toward EJ, by using the mapping and screening tool to access and compare valuable information about a specific area’s environmental and demographic socioeconomic indicators.  The SAB EJScreen Review Panel is an ad hoc panel of scientific experts chosen to provide input on the methodology, calculations, and other components of the tool.

See a list of the EJScreen Review Panel members here.

US EPA established the SAB “to provide independent scientific and technical advice to the EPA Administrator on the scientific and technical basis for agency positions and regulations” under the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act (ERDDAA).

Ari Lewis is a principal with expertise in toxicology and risk assessment.  She has applied her toxicology expertise across a wide range of chemical stewardship issues and is especially interested in cumulative risk assessment, which includes the consideration of non-chemical stressors (i.e., social factors) in vulnerable populations.

Please join us in congratulating Ari Lewis on this noteworthy service appointment!

Gradient LLC is an environmental and risk sciences consulting firm renowned for scientific excellence.  We provide cutting-edge risk sciences consulting services to design and strategize responsive and protective solutions to environmental and human health challenges.

Links

EJScreen: https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen

About the US EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) and the SAB Staff Office https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-science-advisory-board-sab-and-sab-staff-office

Keywords:  Gradient LLC, Ari S. Lewis, EPA, Science Advisory Board (SAB), EJScreen, Environmental Justice (EJ)

In this issue of Trends, we provide several articles on climate change-related topics.

Articles in This Issue:

• Climate-Related and ESG Financial Disclosures – The Scientist’s Role
• Downscaling: A Powerful Tool for Evaluating Climate Change Vulnerabilities
• Accounting for the Potential Impacts of Climate Change to Improve Remedy Decision-Making at Contaminated Sites
• Stone Living Lab Partnership Working to Scale-Up Nature-Based Approaches to Climate Adaptation in Massachusetts

The Society of Toxicology (SOT) Computational Toxicology Specialty Section has awarded Gradient abstract as one of the top 10 abstracts for the Computational Toxicology Specialty Section of SOT 2023!  Congratulations to Dr. Isaac Mohar on this award!

See the abstract by clicking below or attending the poster event at SOT 2023:

“P183: Framework for In Silico Toxicity Screening of Novel Odorants”
Isaac Mohar, Brad Hansen, Destiny Mims, Joel Mainland
Session: Computational Toxicology II
3/21/23 @ 9:00 am-10:45 am

For a full list of Gradient’s SOT 2023 publications, click here.

Gradient is presenting at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology, taking place March 19-23, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. See presentation details below, and click the links to view poster abstracts.

Gradient’s 2023 SOT Meeting Presentations:

“New Approach Methods for Toxicological Risk Assessment of Extractable Compounds from Biodegradable/Bioresorbable Medical Devices” (links to program agenda)
Joel Cohen
Workshop: Biocompatibility Assessment of Absorbable/Degradable Materials Employed in Medical Devices: Challenges, Pitfalls, and Emerging Testing Methods
3/20/23 @ 9:15 am-12:00 pm

“Updates to ISO 10993-17 for Medical Device Toxicological Risk Assessments: What You Need to Know” (links to program agenda)
Lindsey Borton
Exhibitor-Hosted Session
3/21/23 @ 10:30 am-11:30 am

“P183: Framework for In Silico Toxicity Screening of Novel Odorants”
Awarded Top 10 Abstracts for the Computational Toxicology Specialty Section!
Isaac Mohar, Brad Hansen, Destiny Mims, Joel Mainland
Session: Computational Toxicology II
3/21/23 @ 9:00 am-10:45 am

“P299: Ranking Surrogate Suitability for Read-Across of Medical Device Extractables: A Case Study of Irganox-Related Compounds”
Rachel Chang, Patricia Clyde, Pranav Mashankar, Joel Cohen
Session: Medical Devices
3/22/23 @ 10:45 am-12:30 pm

“P283: Comparison of Contrast Media Components with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard Solvents to Determine Representative Patient Risk”
Cassandra Meakin, Ian Hadley, Lindsey Borton
Session: Medical Devices
3/22/23 @ 10:45 am-12:30 pm

“P241: Considerations in Evaluating Dermal Absorption of Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)”
Andrew Yeh, Laura Kerper, Robyn Prueitt, Barbara Beck
Session: PFAS II
3/22/23 @ 10:45 am-12:30 pm

“P346: Challenges in Evaluating Risks from Lead Exposure”
Barbara Beck, Joel Cohen, Steven Boomhower, Charlotte Marsh
Session: Risk Assessment III
3/22/23 @ 2:30 pm-4:15 pm

Matthew J. Mayo, M.S., GISP, CPG, P.G. was re-elected as Vice Chair of the Lancaster, MA Zoning Board of Appeals.

Gradient announces five employees promoted to Principal and Principal Scientist.

Lisa A. Bailey, Ph.D. is promoted to Principal:   Dr. Bailey has a practice in toxicology and human health risk assessment, including occupational exposures and risks.

Lindsey K. Borton, M.P.H. is promoted to Principal Scientist:  Ms. Borton has a practice in biological evaluation and toxicological risk assessment of medical devices.

David G. Dodge, M.S., DABT, CIH is promoted to Principal:  Mr. Dodge has a practice in industrial hygiene, toxicology, risk assessment, and historical state of knowledge.

Isaac Mohar, Ph.D., DABT is promoted to Principal Scientist:  Dr. Mohar has a practice in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and toxicology and risk assessment.

Jiaru Zhang, M.P.H., DABT is promoted to Principal Scientist:  Ms. Zhang has a practice in product stewardship, toxicology, and medical devices.

Here is wishing them the best in their new leadership roles.

Gradient has five presentations at Battelle’s Eleventh International Conference on the Remediation and Management of Contaminated Sediments, taking place January 9-12, 2023, in Austin, Texas. Click the links below to view the presentation and poster abstracts.

Gradient’s 2023 Battelle Sediments Conference Presentations and Posters:

“A1.4. Where Science and Cost Apportionment Collide: Contaminant Loading from Upland Soils to Sediments”
Matthew Mayo, Jeffrey Rominger, Neal Grasso
Poster Session: A1. Innovative Characterization and Assessment Approaches
1/10/23 @ 5:45 pm-7:00 pm

“A3.20. Identifying Byproduct (Also Known as “Inadvertently Generated”) Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Waterbodies”
Jeffrey Rominger, Kurt Herman, Patricia Tcaciuc
Poster Session: A3. Contaminant Forensics
1/10/23 @ 5:45 pm-7:00 pm

“B8.51. Digitizing the Haystack: Streamlined Techniques to Pinpoint Potentially Responsible Parties”
Matthew Mayo, James Rice, Shuo Zhao
Poster Session: B8. Advanced Data Analysis and Decision Tools
1/11/23 @ 5:45 pm-7:00 pm

“C5.53. Identifying and Managing Uncertainty in Environmental Response Costs at Sediment Sites”
Kurt Herman, Maggie Pollock, Shuo Zhao, Naomi Slagowski, James Rice
Poster Session: C5. Remedy Cost Allocation Considerations and Alternative Financial Models
1/11/23 @ 5:45 pm-7:00 pm

“B8. Digitizing the Haystack: Streamlined Techniques to Pinpoint Potentially Responsible Parties”
Matthew Mayo, James Rice, Shuo Zhao
Platform Session: B8. Advanced Data Analysis and Decision Tools
1/12/23 @ 10:55 am-11:20 am

Kurt Herman, M.Eng., P.G. was appointed to serve on the Board of Health in the town of Concord, MA.

See website for Town of Concord.

December 2022

Gradient is pleased to announce that Tim Verslycke will serve as President of the International Board of Environmental Risk Assessors (IBERA) for 2023-2024.

Founded in 2021 by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC), IBERA is an independent, non-profit entity registered in Brussels, Belgium.  IBERA promotes scientific progress in environmental risk assessment, encourages education and training, and established the first international certification program in environmental risk assessment.

As President, Dr. Verslycke will work with the other elected officers and Council members to implement the goals of the IBERA program in the coming two years.  Dr. Verslycke is also one of the founding members of IBERA.