Description

This scholarship is made possible by the Vera W. Hudson and Elizabeth K. Weisburger Scholarship Fund of the SOT Endowment. Elizabeth K. Weisburger, a member of the SOT for over 35 years, has made pioneering contributions to cancer biology and toxicology. She has served as a role model for other women scientists. Vera W. Hudson was a Biologist and Information Specialist at the National Library of Medicine for many years and had a key role in developing the NLM Hazardous Substance Database.

This award is given to a SOT graduate student member (current or pending), who is engaged in full-time graduate study towards a PhD in toxicology, demonstrates outstanding academic achievement in the field of toxicology, and demonstrates leadership and service.

The awardee will receive an engraved plaque and monetary award. The monetary award intends to be used for education and/or research-related expenses, including travel to scientific conferences. Applicants for the award are not precluded from applying for travel support or other SOT awards outside of WIT.

Requirements for applicants:

• Current or pending student member of SOT at application deadline. Applicants who are not WIT members are strongly encouraged to join.
• Enrolled in a full-time PhD program.
• Advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. at the time of the application deadline
• Dissertation research relevant to the field of toxicology.
• An accepted abstract for the 2024 SOT Annual Meeting.

Required application components: 

As listed below, applications should detail the applicant’s scholastic achievement, scientific achievement, leadership and service activities, relevance of dissertation research to toxicology, and contribution the applicant’s research has had on the field of toxicology. These criteria, with others listed below, are used in the award selection process.

1. 1-page cover letter written by the applicant highlighting their most significant leadership and service activities and summarizing their academic achievement, scientific achievement, and contributions to the field of toxicology (written text: 12 pt. Times New Roman).
2. 1-page narrative describing graduate research hypothesis, background, and significance (written text: 12 pt. Times New Roman).
3. Extended abstract of the submitted presentation for the Annual Meeting (must include tables and/or figures; written text not to exceed 2 pages with 12 pt. Times New Roman).
4. Two letters of recommendation describing the student’s academic and scientific achievement and including a description of their leadership and service activities. One letter must be from the applicant’s research advisor/mentor and include recognition of the applicant’s contributions to the research being presented. One of these two letters must be from a Full, Associate, or Emeritus SOT member.
5. Current transcripts (unofficial transcripts with GPA are sufficient).
6. Curriculum vitae that includes specific descriptions of the applicant's academic achievement, scientific achievements, leadership, and service – 10 pages maximum.
7. Headshot/photograph image of sufficient quality for poster and presentation materials. (Note:  This requirement does not factor into selection of the awardee; it is to have the information on hand to develop WIT announcements and Annual Meeting materials.)

Additional application criteria or constraints:

• Graduate students can only apply for one (1) WIT award.
• Graduate students are eligible to receive (1) WIT award during their graduate training period.