Texas Tech Researcher Becomes North American President of SETAC

A Texas Tech University professor recently became the president of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, North America (SNA).

George Cobb, professor of environmental toxicology, also will serve on the SETAC World Council with colleagues from all populated continents.

“Given the highly qualified pool of candidates eligible for this office, I was surprised and honored to be elected to lead SETAC North America,” Cobb said. “In the upcoming year, I hope to more effectively engage the next generation of scientists who will advance the understanding of toxicant effects on environmental systems while also strengthening public awareness on these effects.”

The president is elected annually from eligible board members and serves as vice president for one year in preparation for the role.

Cobb was elected in August 2009, and began serving on the SNA board of directors in August 2007.

At The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Cobb serves as branch leader for environmental science and toxicology. He received his doctorate in chemistry in 1989 from the University of South Florida. Much of his research includes investigating how pesticides and hazardous wastes behave in ecosystems and move in the food chain.

SETAC’s worldwide professional society is a nonprofit organization composed of individuals and institutions engaged in the study, analysis, and solution of environmental problems, the management and regulation of natural resources, environmental education and research and development.

Its mission is to support the development of principles and practices for protection, enhancement and management of sustainable environmental quality and ecosystem integrity.

The organization promotes the advancement and application of scientific research related to contaminants and other stressors in the environment, education in the environmental sciences, and the use of science in environmental policy and decision-making. For more on SNA, visit www.setac.org.

CONTACT: George Cobb, professor, Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, (806) 885-4567 or george.cobb@tiehh.ttu.edu