Conferences & Awards
Robert A. Scala Award 2000
Eighth Annual Robert A. Scala Award Presented David B. Warheit, Ph.D., E.I. Dupont Nemours' Haskell Laboratory, received the Eighth Annual Scala Award on May 14, 2000. Following the award ceremony, Dr. Warheit presented, "Biodegradability of inhaled para-aramid respirable fiber-shaped particulates: Why is this important and is it representative of other synthetic organic fibre-types?"
Dr. Warheit is a Research Fellow at E.I. du Pont Nemours' Haskell Laboratory. He is a world-renowned scientist in inhalation toxicology, where he has primarily focused on the biopersistence of respirable synthetic fibers. He has over 80 publications and a book entitled, Fiber Toxicology. Dr. Warheit has received numerous awards acknowledging his scientific contributions. These include the ILSI-sponsored Kenneth Morgareidge Award in recognition for his contributions in toxicology, the Haskell Laboratory Director's Award for scientific excellence in product stewardship, and a Kevlar Team Accomplishment Award.
In 1988, Dr. Warheit became a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology. He is active in the Society of Toxicology and has served as Councilor, Vice-President and President of the Inhalation Specialty Section. He has also been a member as well as chair of the Science Advisory Board of the National Urban Air Toxics Research Center. Dr. Warheit has also contributed his scientific knowledge to the betterment of his community. The American Lung Association of Delaware recognized these contributions in 1993 by bestowing the John Janvier Black MD Award for contributions to the health of the people of Delaware.
"What distinguishes Dr. Warheit from many other scientist is his ability to interface the science with risk assessment and policy decisions," said Dr. Robert Snyder, EOHSI Associate Director and Toxicology Division Director. "He played a key role in organizing and conducting research between several companies to address the health concerns around respirable fibers. These data were important in addressing the health issues and were instrumental in the final risk assessment decision by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This example embodies his approach to providing mechanistic data to address important health issues."
The Scala Award and Lectureship is named for Robert A. Scala, Ph.D., former director of the Research and Environmental Health Division at Exxon Corp. Dr. Scala, who is well known for his work on the toxicity of gasoline components and chemical mixtures, is a past president of the Society of Toxicology and chair or member of a wide range of committees for the National Academy of Sciences, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the National Toxicology Program. Dr. Scala has actively supported academic toxicology as a faculty member of the Institute of Environmental Medicine at New York University, the Medical College of Virginia, and the Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology at Rutgers and UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. For all who have been fortunate to work with him, Dr. Scala has served as a role model. Particularly notable has been his fierce integrity in upholding the finest traditions of the discipline. The goal of this annual award and lectureship is to honor the work of exceptional toxicologists in industry and to promote continued outstanding scientific contributions by industrial organizations. The award is presented annually by EOHSI and the awardee and the date of the ceremony are announced at the annual meeting of the Society of Toxicology.
