The 20th Century
has witnessed unprecedented industrialization, explosive population growth,
and a massive introduction of new chemical agents into the environment.
Unfortunately, we lag far behind in our understanding of the impact that
many of these new chemicals, particularly mixtures, have on the health of
humans and other members of our ecosystem.
A toxicologist
is a scientist who investigates the risks to human health and the environment
from chemicals and physical agents. Toxicology is a highly interdisciplinary
scientific field that uses knowledge and research methods drawn from virtually
all areas of the biomedical sciences. Toxicologists work in a variety of different
ways that range from fundamental research investigations to the protection
of public health. Some of these areas include:
-
Laboratory
research to understand fundamental biological process and the mechanisms
by which toxic agents adversely affect them
-
Research to
characterize the toxic effects of specific chemicals such as medications
-
Research to
measure human exposure to toxic agents in the environment and determine
the risks from exposure on health
-
Risk
assessments to ascertain the need for measures to control human
exposures
-
Environmental management to protect the public health.
Toxicologists must be well-rounded
scientists who are familiar with the latest concepts and knowledge in
the biological sciences as well with statistical methods, environmental
assessment, and public health.
As a profession, toxicology
offers many different types of career opportunities. If you are an accomplished
biological sciences student who is interested in a career that can combine
state of the art research with the opportunity to have a significant and
immediate impact on public health, then you should consider professional
training in toxicology.
The goal of the
UTMB training program in Environmental Toxicology for graduate students and
postdoctoral fellows is to provide young scientists with the knowledge base,
technical expertise and professional skills that each will need to advance
the state of knowledge concerning the mechanistic basis of injury by
environmental agents. This goal is entirely consistent with the January
5, 2000 stated purpose of NIEHS training programs.
Students who are interested in toxicology should apply to graduate
school through the Basic Biomedical Sciences Curriculum (BBSC). They will
take the interdisciplinary first year BBSC curriculum and then join one of
the graduate programs in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Several
Graduate Programs participate in the toxicology curriculum including:
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