Two Environmental Health Science Students at Baylor University Win Toxicology Awards
Media Contact: Tonya B. Hudson, 254-710-4656
Follow Baylor Media Communications on Twitter: @BaylorUMedia
WACO, Texas (March 16, 2018) – Two undergraduate students from Baylor University, Yoomin Jo and Dan Dinh, received awards from the Society of Toxicology (SOT), the leading scholarly scientific society in the field of toxicology.
"I couldn't be more excited for Dan and Yoomin," said Bryan Brooks, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of environmental science and biomedical studies at Baylor University. "Their dedication to research in environmental health science, facilitated by Baylor's support of experiential learning and STEM education, research and service, is exemplary. To be awarded by the Society of Toxicology for their research represents gold-standard recognition of Yoomin and Dan's accomplishments as outstanding undergraduate researchers at Baylor."
Jo, a senior University Scholar focusing on environmental health science from Oxford, Mississippi, received the Pfizer SOT undergraduate research travel award on March 11. Jo was one of only 14 recipients of the award recognized at the annual awards ceremony. In addition, Jo was honored with a plaque, cash prize and travel support to attend the 57th'?'annual SOT meeting in San Antonio.
Dinh, a senior environmental health science major from Houston, Texas, received an award from the risk assessment specialty section on March 13. Dinh's abstract was selected as one of the top 10 best submissions in human health risk assessment at the SOT international conference, the only undergraduate to receive this award.
"Yoomin and Dan are talented scientists," Brooks said. "They are very bright, energetic and hard-working students who work well with others. More importantly, they are wonderful people, who are a credit to Baylor and exemplars of Baylor's commitment to undergraduate education and research integration. Both have multiple offers to attend graduate school at major research universities, and are in the process of making decisions regarding their next steps in Fall 2018."
The SOT mission is'?'to create a safer and healthier world by advancing the science and increasing the impact of toxicology.'?'Baylor faculty and students routinely present their research at the SOT annual meetings. In addition to Brooks, other Baylor faculty members such as Erica Bruce, Ph.D. and Christie Sayes, Ph.D., associate professors of environmental science, often serve on various committees for SOT. In October, Bruce and Sayes coordinated the 2017 Lone Star SOT regional chapter meeting hosted by Baylor University.
"The mission of the Society of Toxicology has never been more relevant and important than it is today," Brooks said. "Chemical products are indispensable facets of our daily lives, but we need to be sure that chemicals are designed to be useful and not result in adverse health outcomes when used appropriately. The science of toxicology and its applications through exposure, hazard and risk assessments are critical foundations by which protection of human health and the environment is achieved."
For more information, visit the Environmental Science website.
by Brooke Battersby, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.