Postdocs At Hamner Institutes Recognized With Awards From Society Of Toxicology

The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences (www.thehamner.org), an independent, nonprofit organization that offers an open, collaborative and cross-disciplinary approach to translational biomedical research, has announced that Dr. Melissa Barhoover and Dr. Anne Loccisano, postdoctoral scientists at The Hamner, have been recognized with awards from the Society of Toxicology, a professional organization committed to creating a safer and healthier world by advancing the science of toxicology. The awards were presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology held on March 7-11 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

QUOTES:
"We are proud that Melissa and Anne have been honored with awards by the Society of Toxicology," said Dr. William F. Greenlee, president and CEO of The Hamner. "Our postdoctoral scientists fill a vital role, and I am pleased to report that more than 400 postdoctoral fellows have received training here since the founding of The Hamner more than 30 years ago. Melissa and Anne are at the vanguard of young scientists who will transform chemical safety sciences in the 21st century."

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DETAILS:
- Barhoover was recognized with a Postdoctoral Research Award from both the SOT Molecular Biology Specialty Section and SOT Carcinogenesis Specialty Section. The awards were presented at the SOT’s annual meeting during the Molecular Biology Specialty Section and Carcinogenesis Specialty Section business meetings. Both awards had similar criteria. Research had to be in the general areas of molecular toxicology or carcinogenesis. Applicants submitted a copy of their abstract that was submitted for presentation at the SOT meeting, a two-page research narrative depicting their research hypothesis and background and significance, and a letter of recommendation from their advisor. Barhoover’s work investigated the role of molecules that bind aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHR) in breast cancer. The study found that AHR interacts with other signaling molecules in the cell, CDK4 and CCND1, which could affect the regulation of cell division. The results demonstrated that AHR can both facilitate and inhibit cell growth.

- Loccisano received the Perry J. Gehring Best Postdoctoral Abstract Award in Risk Assessment at the Risk Assessment Specialty Section Reception, which was held at the annual SOT meeting. The abstract submitted for the award included how the work presented in the award will aid/advance human health risk assessment. Loccisano presented her work on the development of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for perflurooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), which are chemicals with wide spectrum of both consumer and industrial uses, including surfactants and stain-resistant coatings on fabrics and carpets.

- Toxicology is the study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical or biological agents on people, animals, and the environment.

ABOUT THE HAMNER INSTITUTES FOR HEALTH SCIENCES:
The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences is strategically located on a 56-acre campus in the heart of Research Triangle Park, N.C. As a cross-disciplinary nonprofit organization, The Hamner Institutes acts as a catalyst to facilitate life sciences technology development among North Carolina universities, while serving as a gateway to establish research collaborations with the bio/pharmaceutical industry and countries in Europe and Asia. The Hamner Institutes also has an Accelerator to support emerging companies and a new Institute for Translational Medicine to enhance its research in oncology, diabetes, and respiratory diseases. For more information, please visit www.thehamner.org.

Ryal Curtis
MMI Public Relations
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ryal@mmipublicrelations.com
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