Call for Nominations: GEMS Board of Directors

In preparation for the GEMS 2006 Fall Meeting (which will be held Thursday October 26, 2006 at the Friday Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, with the topic "Oxidative Damage and Stress"). I am soliciting nominations (or self-nominations) for election to the GEMS Board of Directors. We have four open slots: President-Elect, plus three Councilor positions. I would prefer that we have a strong slate of Candidates for each position!

Please send me your nominations (plus contact information); if you have already been approached/nominated, please email me a brief biographical sketch, preferably by mid-August.

Once we have the slate of candidates plus the biographies, we will hold an online election (ballots via email response).

Dr. Gregory R. Stuart, Ph.D.
Laboratory of Molecular Genetics
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
111 T.W. Alexander Drive
Building 101, Room E-326
P.O. Box 12233, MD E3-01
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
Tel: (919) 541-5424; Fax: (919) 541-7613
stuart@niehs.nih.gov

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The National Academies'
National Research Council Associateship Program

GEMS Meeting Minutes - June 20, 2006

CIIT

1. President Les Recio called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m. The following members were present: Les Recio, Greg Stuart Susan Ross, Gloria Jahnke, Cindy Innes, Jayne Boyer, and Jeff Ross. An assortment of cookies and soft drinks were made available to the participants by the host, Susan Ross and CIIT. Minutes from the March 20, 2006 board meeting were approved.

2. Susan Ross presented the treasurer’s report and provided a handout of the GEMS Financial Report for June 20, 2006. The balance in the checking and money market account were reported.

3. 2006 Spring Meeting. Susan reported that the overall meeting cost was approximately $4800. There were 72 attendees at the meeting, so there was an approximate loss of $1600 from the meeting. A detailed meeting cost summary will be provided at the next Board meeting.

Food – There were a number of complements on the food for the meeting. However, it was noted that the reception, although elegant, had limited variety in food choices.

4. Les briefly discussed an email he and Gloria received from Dan Levy, president of GTA (Genetic Toxicology Association) asking for participation of the GEMS Board at a proposed joint meeting of GTA, GETA, and GEMS at the EMS meeting in September. The goal of this meeting is to broaden geographic GTA membership to groups interested in genetic toxicology, risk assessment and regulatory issues. GTA is Washington, DC based without local representation, so it is uncertain what benefit GTA membership would be to RTP GEMS. Les and Errol will be attending the next EMS meeting and will talk to a representative from GTA.

5. NC SOT will be meeting October 30. The meeting topic is Cardiotoxicity. Ken Ramos and a speaker for GSK will present.

6. GEMS Elections – Greg reviewed potential candidates for GEMS offices. There are 3 councilor positions open. Year 2007 will be the 25th anniversary of GEMS. There are 3 outgoing councilors: Mary Smith, Alan Townsend, and Karin Drotschmann.

7.Fall Meeting – The GEMS Fall meeting will be at the Friday Center, the first 2 weeks in November. November 2, 8, or 9 are the preferred dates. Greg will be checking with the Center for availability. Susan will send Greg a copy of the contract from last year. Greg will contact Barbara Shane about requesting meeting support from NIEHS. Les noted that it is important that the vendors have an exclusive block of meeting time for the attendees to visit their booths. Vendors pay $250 to GEMS which includes a booth and meeting registration for two people. Advertisements in the meeting program are $50. We will need input on vendor needs from Julie Ginsler.

Oxidative Damage and Stress is the fall meeting topic. Once the meeting date is established, Greg will send out an email to the membership requesting poster and/or presentation abstracts.

8. The next board meeting will be Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 3 PM at CIIT.
Gloria. D. Jahnke, GEMS Secretary