President’s Message - May 2026

A Message from Martin F. Wilks, May 2026

Dear Colleagues,

 

It was a pleasure meeting many friends, colleagues and IUTOX supporters at the 65th Annual Society of Toxicology (SOT) Meeting in San Diego, California, in March. We are very grateful to SOT and the SOT Endowment Fund for sponsoring the IUTOX Travel Award which once again enabled four scientists from Argentina, Brazil, Nigeria, and South Africa to attend the SOT Meeting.

The traditional IUTOX Global Collaboration Coffee Morning was chaired by IUTOX Secretary-General Flemming Cassee and this year focused on the highly topical subject of “Persistent and pervasive: tackling PFAS through science and policy—a global perspective.” A distinguished panel of experts provided insights from diverse points of view, generating lively discussions with the audience. The topic of PFAS is being picked up throughout the year in our IUTOXtalks series of webinars, the first of which was delivered to over 70 participants on April 29 by Drs. Emanuela Corsini and Angela Slitt. Please mark your calendars and register for the next talk in this series, happening on June 24.

The IUTOX Executive Committee used the opportunity of the SOT Meeting for our annual face-to-face meeting. It was the first opportunity for the new Committee to get together in person since the elections last October. Apart from getting to know each other and clarifying roles and responsibilities, the meeting discussed ongoing and future IUTOX initiatives, particularly in the area of education and capacity building. The next Risk Assessment Summer School is only a few months away. Led by Education Committee Chair Heather Wallace and IUTOX Director Chan Kok Meng, this event will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from November 1 to 6, 2026. The program and application materials will be published by the end of this month, so check the website and look for those emails coming soon!

The 13th Congress of Toxicology in Developing Countries will take place from May 18 to 21, 2027. It is being organised by Anja Haveric and her colleagues from the Genetic Association in Bosnia & Herzegovina in the beautiful and historic city of Sarajevo. The Organising Committee has just published the call to submit proposals for scientific sessions including symposia, workshops and continuing education. Please get together with your colleagues and use this opportunity to present your science. The deadline for proposals is July 1!

Looking further ahead, preparations for the 18th International Congress of Toxicology in Vancouver, Canada, June 11 to 14, 2028, are well underway. The IUTOX Executive Committee was able to meet with Angela Hofstra and her colleagues from the Society of Toxicology Canada during the San Diego meeting. A Steering Committee has already been active for some time, and other committees, in particular the International Scientific Program Committee are currently being set up. Please visit the congress website periodically for updates.

I would also like to inform you that Current Opinion in Toxicology, the peer-reviewed journal affiliated with IUTOX, not only publishes invited contributions but now also accepts direct submissions by prospective authors. Under the leadership of Editors-in-Chief Emanuela Corsini and José Manautou this is an exciting opportunity to publish reviews of and opinions on timely topics that engage the toxicology community.

IUTOX is an association of member societies and we would like to hear from you. Please send us details of your forthcoming meetings and activities so that we can share them with others around the globe. Today, we would like to highlight the XXIV Brazilian Congress of Toxicology (CBTOX) which will take place in the city of São Paulo from June 3 to 6, 2026 with the central theme “Human and Environmental Health: The Challenges of Toxicology.” Have a look at their website for further information.

As you can see, there is a lot going on and I would like to thank the colleagues on the Executive Committee for all the work that they are putting in. We are relying on the voluntary work and engagement of everyone to truly make IUTOX the voice of toxicology on the global stage.

Best wishes,

Martin F. Wilks
2025–2028 IUTOX President