Description
The Society of Toxicology (SOT) Undergraduate Student Research Award recognizes outstanding students in progress for associate or bachelor's degrees who present their original research at the SOT Annual Meeting. The goal of the award is to foster the student’s interest in pursuing graduate studies in toxicology or a closely related field. Awardees are selected based on their unique contribution to their toxicology-related research project as evidenced in their statements, research abstract, and a nomination document from the research advisor overseeing and supervising the student’s work.
Recipients of this award receive recognition and support to attend the SOT Annual Meeting. This includes complimentary meeting registration, lodging for the duration of the meeting, and travel funding up to a maximum of $800 (lowest cost airfare, train, or mileage reimbursement). At the meeting, each recipient will be matched with a mentor, be recognized during special events, attend the SOT Undergraduate Education Program, and participate in other meeting activities.
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must:
- Be enrolled as an undergraduate student for the full 2024–2025 academic year in a program that terminates with either an associate or bachelor’s degree, OR
In the bachelor’s stage of an accelerated dual degree undergraduate/graduate program (BS/MS, BS/ME, etc.), OR
In the preprofessional stage of a professional degree program (PharmD, MD, DVM, etc.).
- Submit the research abstract at this site by October 15 for presentation at the SOT Annual Meeting. Note: There is a required $70 abstract submission fee.
- Have a subsequent acceptance of the abstract by the Scientific Program Committee.
- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA for completed coursework.
- Not have received the SOT Undergraduate Research Award previously.
Award Criteria
- Indication that the applicant has a thorough understanding of overall goal of the research and how the student's research contribution fits with that goal.
- Documentation of the student’s research skills.
- Indication of the student’s specific contributions to the research project, showcasing the student's level of involvement in the work.
- Indication of the student’s interest in and commitment to the field of toxicology post-graduation, particularly as it relates to plans for any additional training after graduation.
- Evidence of the student’s potential to become an independent researcher and leader in the field.
Required Application Materials
- A completed student application.
- A copy of the submitted abstract (downloaded from the SOT abstract submission system). Abstracts must be submitted to SOT by October 15, 11:59 pm, US Eastern time.
- Transcripts from all colleges the applicant has attended or is attending, including current semester enrollment (either official or unofficial transcripts are accepted).
- Nomination from the primary investigator or laboratory leader overseeing the applicant’s research project. The student should request a nomination from the main supervisor of the laboratory and be able to attest to the student’s research skills and career potential based on the nominator's experience mentoring undergraduate research students. The nominator should not be a graduate student, postdoctoral scholar, or laboratory technician.
- When requesting the nomination, the applicant should review the award criteria with the nominator and share the information requested of the nominator. On the application form, the applicant enters the name of the person who has agreed to provide the nomination. The nominator will receive a link to complete the form, which must be submitted by October 17, 11:59 pm US Eastern time.
Questions? Contact Betty Eidemiller.
Abstract Tips
A scientific abstract is a concise summary of the research (for SOT, 4,500 characters, not including spaces). After reading an abstract, a person should be able to understand why you conducted your study, how you conducted it, your major results, and why your work is important.
Include:
- Background: include a few sentences about why this study was conducted.
- Problem to be addressed: write your major purpose/objective and hypothesis. (Note: when the abstract is submitted, the first two are combined in one text field.)
- Methods: briefly describe how you conducted your study, e.g., doses tested, time points, cell lines, animal models, mathematical models, field sites, etc.
- Results: summarize clearly and specifically the results of your study.
- Conclusions: highlight the significance or implications of your results.
In general, when writing an abstract, numerical values should be included with your results. Avoid references and define any abbreviations.
Before submitting your abstract, have all your coauthors and your research mentor review it. The SOT Scientific Program Committee reviews and determines abstract acceptance; be sure and read all the information on the abstract submission site.
Award Impact:
Recipients of a similar SOT award describe their research and the impact of involvement in SOT.
SOT Undergraduate Research Award
Description
The Society of Toxicology (SOT) Undergraduate Student Research Award recognizes outstanding students in progress for associate or bachelor's degrees who present their original research at the SOT Annual Meeting. The goal of the award is to foster the student’s interest in pursuing graduate studies in toxicology or a closely related field. Awardees are selected based on their unique contribution to their toxicology-related research project as evidenced in their statements, research abstract, and a nomination document from the research advisor overseeing and supervising the student’s work.
Recipients of this award receive recognition and support to attend the SOT Annual Meeting. This includes complimentary meeting registration, lodging for the duration of the meeting, and travel funding up to a maximum of $800 (lowest cost airfare, train, or mileage reimbursement). At the meeting, each recipient will be matched with a mentor, be recognized during special events, attend the SOT Undergraduate Education Program, and participate in other meeting activities.
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must:
- Be enrolled as an undergraduate student for the full 2024–2025 academic year in a program that terminates with either an associate or bachelor’s degree, OR
In the bachelor’s stage of an accelerated dual degree undergraduate/graduate program (BS/MS, BS/ME, etc.), OR
In the preprofessional stage of a professional degree program (PharmD, MD, DVM, etc.).
- Submit the research abstract at this site by October 15 for presentation at the SOT Annual Meeting. Note: There is a required $70 abstract submission fee.
- Have a subsequent acceptance of the abstract by the Scientific Program Committee.
- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA for completed coursework.
- Not have received the SOT Undergraduate Research Award previously.
Award Criteria
- Indication that the applicant has a thorough understanding of overall goal of the research and how the student's research contribution fits with that goal.
- Documentation of the student’s research skills.
- Indication of the student’s specific contributions to the research project, showcasing the student's level of involvement in the work.
- Indication of the student’s interest in and commitment to the field of toxicology post-graduation, particularly as it relates to plans for any additional training after graduation.
- Evidence of the student’s potential to become an independent researcher and leader in the field.
Required Application Materials
- A completed student application.
- A copy of the submitted abstract (downloaded from the SOT abstract submission system). Abstracts must be submitted to SOT by October 15, 11:59 pm, US Eastern time.
- Transcripts from all colleges the applicant has attended or is attending, including current semester enrollment (either official or unofficial transcripts are accepted).
- Nomination from the primary investigator or laboratory leader overseeing the applicant’s research project. The student should request a nomination from the main supervisor of the laboratory and be able to attest to the student’s research skills and career potential based on the nominator's experience mentoring undergraduate research students. The nominator should not be a graduate student, postdoctoral scholar, or laboratory technician.
- When requesting the nomination, the applicant should review the award criteria with the nominator and share the information requested of the nominator. On the application form, the applicant enters the name of the person who has agreed to provide the nomination. The nominator will receive a link to complete the form, which must be submitted by October 17, 11:59 pm US Eastern time.
Questions? Contact Betty Eidemiller.
Abstract Tips
A scientific abstract is a concise summary of the research (for SOT, 4,500 characters, not including spaces). After reading an abstract, a person should be able to understand why you conducted your study, how you conducted it, your major results, and why your work is important.
Include:
- Background: include a few sentences about why this study was conducted.
- Problem to be addressed: write your major purpose/objective and hypothesis. (Note: when the abstract is submitted, the first two are combined in one text field.)
- Methods: briefly describe how you conducted your study, e.g., doses tested, time points, cell lines, animal models, mathematical models, field sites, etc.
- Results: summarize clearly and specifically the results of your study.
- Conclusions: highlight the significance or implications of your results.
In general, when writing an abstract, numerical values should be included with your results. Avoid references and define any abbreviations.
Before submitting your abstract, have all your coauthors and your research mentor review it. The SOT Scientific Program Committee reviews and determines abstract acceptance; be sure and read all the information on the abstract submission site.
Award Impact:
Recipients of a similar SOT award describe their research and the impact of involvement in SOT.