711 HPW toxicology researcher named associate editor of Toxicological Sciences journal Published Nov. 23, 2009 By John Schutte 711th Human Performance Wing WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE -- Dr. Saber M. Hussain, senior nanotoxicology research scientist with the Air Force Research Laboratory's 711th Human Performance Wing, Human Effectiveness Directorate, has been named an Associate Editor of Toxicological Sciences, the official journal of the Society of Toxicology. Dr. Hussain's appointment as Associate Editor was unanimously approved by the journal's Board of Publications, with his term to begin on January 1, 2010. Associate editors typically serve a 3-year term that can be renewed at the discretion of the journal editor. As an Associate Editor, Dr. Hussain will be responsible for reviewing submitted papers with specific content on in vitro methods and data and/or nanomaterial toxicology, topics that have seen a steady increase in article submittals recently, according to journal editor Dr. Lois Lehman-McKeeman. Since May 2007, Dr. Hussain has served on the journal's editorial board, a position in which he was responsible for editing at least three papers a year and submitting his own work to the journal. The editorial mission of Toxicological Sciences is to publish premier peer-reviewed, hypothesis-driven, original research articles in all areas of toxicology. The Society of Toxicology "is committed to creating a safer and healthier world by advancing the science of toxicology," and Toxicological Sciences publishes articles that are "broadly relevant to assessing the potential adverse health effects resulting from exposure of human or animals to chemicals, drugs, natural products, or synthetic materials," according to the Society's website (http://www.toxicology.org/ ). "Nanomaterials are currently being widely used in advancing manufacturing and other technology, but there remains a serious lack of information concerning the potential human health and environmental implications of some of the manufactured nanomaterials," Dr. Hussain said. "Not all nanomaterials are toxic but assessment of toxicity, environmental safety and health issues of nanomaterials should be considered as we move forward with nanotechnology." Dr. Hussain also is a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Toxicology-- the official journal of the American College of Toxicology--which is published six times each year, featuring refereed papers covering the entire field of toxicology. According to the ACT web site (http://www.actox.org), it focuses on previously unpublished findings or assessments of toxicity hazards of industrial chemicals, pharmaceutical agents, environmental contaminants and other entities, exploring how they work and how they affect human health. In recognition of his education, professional experience, demonstrated achievements and outstanding contributions in toxicology, Dr. Hussain also was recently named a Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences. Dr. Hussain, who has a doctoral degree in toxicology from Osmania University in Hyderabad, India, leads the Biological Interaction of Nanomaterials (BIN) group that studies toxicity issues at the 711 HPW/RH Biosciences and Performance Division, Applied Biotechnology Branch. Nanoparticles are sub-microscopic particles whose size is measured in nanometers, or one-billionth of meter; the average diameter of a human hair is about 80,000 nanometers.