Welcome to the February 2026 ASCEPT newsletter
Associate Professor Nicola J. Smith
President – ASCEPT
In this edition
Member survey results
The results are in! A huge thank you to everyone who completed our recent member survey – we received 101 responses.
The survey highlights that ASCEPT has a loyal, highly educated membership with strong attendance at our annual meetings. We loved reading the considered and constructive comments, and even had a new word coined by a ‘committed ASCEPTian’! There are areas we can and must improve, with feedback that some of our members can feel disconnected between events and that current communication tools could be improved. We are actively addressing this, with a working group established to review the current SIG structure and operations, and we are working with the SAC Chair and the SIG leadership to explore how to best use Mighty Networks for ASCEPT’s needs.
Snapshots from the survey respondents:
The responses provide valuable insight into how members engage and what matters most, helping ASCEPT continue to support professional development, networking, and career growth throughout the year. Stay tuned for future insights and actions from our survey in the coming months. Remember, you don’t need to wait for a survey to share feedback. Please email us at ascept@ascept.org, speak with a Board member, or use the anonymous feedback box at the bottom of the newsletter to pass on any suggestions.
Call for nominations: 2026 ASCEPT Lecturer and Fellowship
The ASCEPT Lectureship was established by the ASCEPT Council at its March 1987 meeting. The Lectureship is awarded biennially to a member of ASCEPT who has made a significant and sustained contribution to the development of pharmacology and/or toxicology in Australasia.
Nominations should be sent to the ASCEPT Executive Officer via email at ascept@ascept.org by COB Monday 16 March 2026.
The ASCEPT Fellowship is the highest honour the ASCEPT Board can bestow on a financial member. It recognises significant contributions to the Society or to the advancement of pharmacology and toxicology. Nominations can be made by two Fellow Members, the President, or the Immediate Past President.
Self-nominations will not be accepted, and nominations must be independent, without lobbying by prospective nominees.
Nominations should be sent to the ASCEPT Executive Officer via email at ascept@ascept.org by COB Monday 16 March 2026.
Not on Mighty Networks? Here's some of the topics you missed this month
- The Pharmacoepidemiology SIG are seeking feedback on their annual SIG activities
- The Cardiovascular and Innovations and Industry SIGs shared the minutes from their 2025 AGM
- The Student SIG are looking for committee members.
- WCP2026 Late-breaking abstract information
- For comment: draft submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission on Human Tissue Laws
- For consultation: Gene Technology Amendment Regulations
- IUPHAR Nominations for President-Elect, Treasurer and Executive Committee positions
- An update was shared on RCPA pharmacogenomic clinical indications for three new drugs
- The Clinical Pharmacology SIG shared insights into 2026
- A new study was shared on PharmVar GeneFocus: NAT2—Genetic Variation and Updated Nomenclature
Remember to engage with your SIGs on Mighty Networks – like, comment, and share! It’s the only way we know the content is reaching members. Don’t forget to turn on your email notifications in settings to stay up to date.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
The EDI Committee is seeking members who would like to contribute to the EDI section of the monthly ASCEPT newsletter. If you’re interested in sharing your experiences, reflections, or perspectives, we would love to hear from you.
To get involved, please complete this form.
Below are several significant days recognised across January and February. Click the links to learn more about each observance.
January
February
Important dates for your calendars
WCP2026
IUPHAR
ASCEPT Awards
2 March – Nominations open for:
- ASCEPT Achievement Award
- Bellberry New Investigator Award
- ASCEPT Elizabeth Davis Teaching Excellence Award
- ASCEPT EDI Award
- Garth McQueen Award
16 March – Nominations CLOSE for
- ASCEPT Lecturer
- ASCEPT Fellows
4 May – Nominations CLOSE for:
- ASCEPT Achievement Award
- Bellberry New Investigator Award
- ASCEPT Elizabeth Davis Teaching Excellence Award
- ASCEPT EDI Award
- Garth McQueen Award
2026 Joint IATDMCT/SFPT Congress
Registration is now open for the next joint International Association of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology (IATDMCT) / Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique (SFPT) Congress!
The congress, entitled “Precision medicine: moving from legend to reality!”, will take place at the Couvent des Jacobins in Rennes, France, from 27–30 September 2026. It will be a unique opportunity to learn, network, and share your scientific work focused on individualising, improving, and securing drug therapy.
Job opportunities
ASCEPT is excited to connect our members with the latest career opportunities in pharmacology and toxicology. Don’t miss the chance to explore roles that could shape the next step in your professional journey.
If you would like to advertise a position, please contact us at ascept@ascept.org.
What's new with our society network
Stay connected with the wider scientific and medical community. Below you can find a round-up of recent bulletins, policy updates, funding opportunities and events from partner organisations and international networks. Explore the latest news, grants and resources to support your work and keep you in the loop.
Moving forward all of these newsletters will also be shared in the general channel on Mighty Networks. Make sure to join here and turn on your email notifications to stay up to date!
Member update newsletter – January 2026
The STA member newsletter provides updates on news, policy, events and funding opportunities, including grants, for professionals in science and technology.
Member alert – January
Research Australia provides this member only exclusive update, to help keep you informed, and in the know!
Member alert – January
The following grants opportunities are currently open for applications:
- Charles Fleming Senior Scientist Award – an annual research grant worth up to $10,000 to support the research of a senior scientist in New Zealand.
- Charles Fleming Publishing Award – an annual award worth up to $8,000 to support the preparation of scientific books and relevant publications.
- Skinner Fund – Two grants of $4,000 for research in the study of the history, art, culture, physical and social anthropology of Māori and Polynesian peoples. Supported by the Green Foundation for Polynesian Research.
- Hutton Fund – Funding of $1,000 for research in New Zealand zoology, botany and geology.
Research Honours Aotearoa 2026 – Call for nominations
Nominations and applications are now open for the Research Honours Aotearoa 2026 medals and awards. Information on the available medals, awards and research opportunities are available here. The closing date for all nominations and applications is Monday, 31 March 2026.
Please email academy@royalsociety.org.nz if you wish to submit a nomination.
Feedback and suggestions
Have any feedback or suggestions, email the ASCEPT Secretariat here or by completing the form below.