African Society for Toxicological Sciences
www.africansocietyfortoxicologicalsciences.org
2013 ASTS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP:
TOXICOLOGICAL AND RISK ASSESSMENT
CHALLENGES IN AFRICA
ISMALIA, EGYPT,
FEBRUARY 10-15, 2013
BACKGROUND
Africa has more than 900 million people living in 61 countries. Environmental problems of Africa
include air and water pollution, deforestation, loss of soil and soil fertility. The ongoing decline in
biodiversity throughout the region imposes an enormous strain on food safety, which frequently
leads to dependence on food sources tainted with environmental toxicants. Large volumes of
industrial chemicals (imported and produced locally) associated with growth in the petrochemical,
agrochemical, textile, mining, and food preservation industries raise concerns on their short and long
term effects. Oil pollution has been a controversial subject of discussion in Africa and impact of
pesticides, new pharmaceuticals such as antiretroviral drugs, new classes of anti-malarial drugs, and
the growing dumping of elicit drugs and electronic waste in Africa on human health and the
environment is largely unknown.
The environmental challenges affecting African countries are not unique to the continent, but the
strong interplay between pollution, poverty, and population growth yields an unacceptably high
burden on public health. In addition, most African countries lack the resources needed to conduct
human health risk assessments, undertake risk communication initiatives, and make sound
environmental risk management decisions. One of the major challenges for agencies working in
Africa is the lack of data and information available to provide guidance on identifying, prioritizing,
and addressing these issues.
The conference will bring together stakeholders involved in research, production, utilization, release,
management and/or regulation of toxic chemicals. There will be discussions and trainings on how to
assess and find solutions to Africa’s human health and environmental challenges. Support for
technology transfer and assistance through scientific dialogue and training will be provided to
participants from African countries.
THE ORGANIZERS
The African Society for Toxicological Sciences (ASTS) in collaboration with Suez Canal University
Egypt are the organizers of this conference. ASTS is a not-for-profit organization of scientists in
academia, industry and governmental organizations, registered in the USA. The mission of ASTS is
to create awareness of existing and potential toxicological issues that constitute hazards for
populations and the ecosystems on the African continent. ASTS strives to promote human health and
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African Society for Toxicological Sciences
www.africansocietyfortoxicologicalsciences.org
a safe environment through research and education. Members are available to share their specialized
knowledge with government, industry, and non-profit or non-governmental organizations (NGO).
Suez Canal University, a state-owned and run university was established in 1976, with a special
mandate of community service and development. One of the main objectives of establishing the SCU
was to help as a think tank to promote development and sustainable development in Sinai Peninsula,
and the Suez Canal region where the University is located. There are about 50, 000 enrolled students
in SCU, divided between the main campus at Ismailia, and other campuses at Suez, Port Said and El
Arish. Meanwhile, the number of staff members of SCU is about 3000, serving in various
departments. Besides the many conventional departments, SCU also has some specialized research
stations such as: wastewater research centre, biological control research centre, dry land ecology
research centre, environmental impact assessment unit, education and development centre, and
biotechnology centre.
Egyptian Scientific and Organizing Committee
Professor Mohamed Mohamadain, President, Suez Canal University: Honorary Conference Chair.
Professor Mamdouh Ghorab, Suez Canal University (SCU): Chair:
Professor Mohamed Tawfic Ahmed SCU: Co Chair
Professor Yousri Ahmed SCU
Professor Mohamed Ewais SCU
Professor Moutafa Fayez SCU
Professor A, Shabana Moustafa SCU
Professor Yasser Moustafa SCU
Professor Awad Farahat SCU
Professor Ibrahim Nagi SCU
Professor Moustafa Abbasy, Damanhour University
Professor Ahmed Gamal El Sherif Mansoura University
Professor Mohamed Abdelmaged Ain Shams University
Professor Ahmed Salama, Kafr El Shiekh University
Professor Mohamed Kandil, Cairo University
Professor El Sayed Wagih, Alexandria University
Professor Ahmed Zaki, Zagazig University
International Advisory Committee
Dr Mike Dourson (ASTS Adviser), TERA, USA
Dr Lilian Yengi (ASTS President), USA
Dr Abdel Kadry, US EPA
Dr Sakina Eltom (ASTS Treasurer), Meharry Medical College, TN, USA
Dr Mary Gulumian, South African Institue of occupational Health, South Africa
Dr Sanmi Areola (ASTS Immediate Past President) , Nashville Health, USA
Dr. Steven Mayers, Univeristy of Louiseville, USA
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African Society for Toxicological Sciences
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Dr. Salah Soliman, Alexandria Univeristy, Egypt
Dr. Edith Clarke, Health Ghana, Ghana
Dr Chris Weiss of NIEHS, USA
Dr. John Vandeberg, US EPA
Dr. Bernard Gadagbui (ASTS Vice President), TERA, USA
Dr. Ila Cote, US EPA
Professor. N.H.H. Bashir, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Gezira State, Sudan
Dr. Ayman Hafiz Eissa, King Fisal Univeristy KFU), Saudi Arabia
Dr. Mohamed El-Zaraa, KFU
Dr. Abdel-Rahman El-ghanam, KFU
Preliminary Scientific Program
Conference Themes:
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Pesticide Use: Challenges and Opportunities
Food Safety Challenges
Effects of Environmental Pollution on Human Health and Antiquities
Use of New Tools in Assessing Human and Environmental Health
Biological modifiers and Biomarkers: Platform Presentations
Nano-material & E Waste In Africa: Roundtable Discussion
African Regulatory Concerns
Effects of Climate Change on Human Health and Environment
International Certifcate Training Sessions
1. Basic application of Risk Assessment
2. Lifecycle Analysis
Program Format
Keynote Lecture (1 speaker/session 45min.)
-5 speakers/session 20-30min./speaker)
)
-4 speakers/session 15-20min./speaker)
-5 speakers/session, 10 minutes each)
Poster/Platform presentation (poster with 5 minutes presentation)
Others
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African Society for Toxicological Sciences
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VENUE:
The conference will be held on the main campus of Suez Canal University (SCU) and the Mecure
Hotel, Ismalia, Egypt.
sma lia Ara ic
al- smāīliyyah, PA [elʔesmæʕeˈlejjæ]) is a city in north-east Egypt.
Known in Egypt as "The City of Beauty and Enchantment", Ismaïlia is situated on the west bank of
the Suez Canal and is the capital of the Ismailia Governorate. The city has a population (including
surrounding rural areas) of approximately 750,000 inhabitants. It is located approximately half way
between Port Said to the north and Suez to the south. The Canal widens at that point to include Lake
Timsah, one of the Bitter Lakes linked by the Canal.
Ismaïlia was founded in 1863, during the construction of the Suez Canal, by Khedive Ismail the
Magnificent, after whom the city is named. The head office of the Suez Canal Authority is located in
Ismaïlia at the shore of Lake Timsah. It still has a large number of buildings dating from British and
French involvement with the Canal. Most of these buildings are still used by Canal employees and
officials. The city is approximately a ninety minute automobile drive from Cairo. From Ismaïlia it is
approximately a four hour drive to Sharm el-Sheikh in South Sinai. Driving to the Taba Border
Crossing at Taba and the Rafah Border Crossing at Rafah are both approximately four-hour drives.
Ismaïlia owns the 3rd most successful club in Egypt in the field of Football. Ismaïlia's Sporting Club
football team, Ismaily SC, is considered one of the best clubs in Africa and enjoys broad support
from within the city and governorate, with fan bases extending to other Egyptian cities. The team has
won the Egyptian League three times (1967, 1991, 2002), the Egyptian Cup twice (1997, 2000), and
the African Champions League once 1969). http //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isma%C3%AFlia).
LANGUAGE
The official language of the congress is English.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS AND PAPERS
Abstracts showing title, author and affiliation should be submitted electronically (e-mail:
[email protected]; Contact Dr Bernard Gadagbui) by December 20, 2012. The author (s) must
indicate whether it will be presented orally or as a poster. Abstract should not exceed 300 words.
Accepted abstracts must be followed by a full-text, which will be subjected to refereeing by a
scientific committee and published in the congress proceedings.
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African Society for Toxicological Sciences
www.africansocietyfortoxicologicalsciences.org
Registration Fees
Early Bird
Registration
Standard
Registration
On Site
Registration
(Received by Dec. 20)
(Dec. 21 to Feb. 9)
(Feb. 10-15)
Full Registration
$250
$300
$350
Discounted Registration
(Scientists from Africa and Middle East)
$100
$150
$200
Graduate Student
$50
$100
$150
Vendor Exhibition
$300
$400
$500
Undergraduate Student
$ 0
$ 0
$ 0
PAYMENT METHODS
Electronically: Details to follow
By Check:
 In the USA: Check payable to ASTS should be sent to: Dr Sakina Eltom, 1008 Huntmaster
Circle, Nashville, TN 37211
 In Egypt: Contact Dr Tawfic ([email protected])
For further enquiries or to pay by other means, contact the following:


In Egypt and the Middle East: Contact Dr Tawfic ([email protected])
In USA and other regions : Dr Sakina Eltom; 615-327-5713; [email protected]
ACCOMODATION
The following room rates are available at the Mecure Hotel, the official Conference Hotel:
Mercure ISMAILIA FORSAN ISLAND
Forsan Island - P.O.Box 77 - ISMAILIA – EGYPT
Tel : (+2064)3916316 I Fax : (+2064)3918347; E-mail :[email protected]; www.mercure.com
Single ROOM: USD 110.00 (EGY LE 530.00)
Double ROOM: USD 140.00 (EGY LE 660.00)
Chalets: Housing 4 or 6 persons including breakfast:
4 persons per room: USD 52 per person (EGY LE 312 )
6 persons per room: USD 44 per person (EGY LE 266)
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African Society for Toxicological Sciences
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Contact hotel directly for reservations. Mention Dr Tawfic and ASTS Conference (Contact : Ramy
MAKEY Sales Manager)
SOCIAL PROGRAM:
Conference Banquet: Details to follow
Post Conference Tours
The conference will provide opportunities for post conference tours to discover the beauty of Egypt.
You can visit the famous Alexandria Library, the pyramids, Egyptian Museum and many other
attractions. Hammock Tours is the Official Conference Travel Agent and will also arrange booking
tickets and provide pick-up from Cairo airport to Ismailia.
Contact the Travel Agency directly to make arrangements for tours and ground transportation
12 Nagaty Sirag St. Block 65, 8th district, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
+20 22 287 1044 /+20 22 287 1043; http://www.hammocktours.com
FURTHER INQUIRIES
Egypt and Middle East:
Professor Mohamed Tawfic Ahmed
Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
Telephone, +20 2 24191291, +20 100 4479063; [email protected]
International:
Dr Lilian Yengi
+1 610-781-5646; [email protected]
Dr Abdel Kadry
+703-347-8545; [email protected]
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