On March 26, 2009, the journal lost an editorial board member and a good friend, Dr. Mildred S. Christian, who passed away at her home in Mechanicsville, Pennsylvania, USA. A Section Editor of Drug and Chemical Toxicology since its inception in 1976, Millie was a model board member whose cheerful acceptance of editorial assignments and prompt, critical comments were greatly appreciated. Her value judgments were always spot-on, and she regularly went above and beyond what was required to carefully and meticulously review the submitted product. Her knowledge of developmental and reproductive toxicology and attention to context and detail undoubtedly improved the quality of innumerable papers.
Millie earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in animal behavior from Pennsylvania State University and her doctorate in developmental anatomy from Thomas Jefferson University. Her technical career started in drug development at McNeil Laboratories prior to her heading Argus Research Laboratories in suburban Philadelphia. In her lifetime, Millie authored more than 100 papers published in both U.S. and international journals and served as the founder and editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Toxicology.
Millie received numerous awards for her contributions to science, including the Life Sciences Award from the American College of Toxicology and the Achievement Award from the International Society of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. She contributed greatly to both the Society of Toxicology and the Teratology Society, both of which I am sure will greatly miss her contributions.
Millie also contributied to the communities that she lived in. Usually busy restoring a prehistoric home in Franklin, Louisiana, USA, with her husband, Alan Hoberman, Millie was also rumored to be the force behind getting street lighting in Franklin’s historic main street. An art enthusiast herself, Millie wanted to make sure enough aficionados found their (well-lit) way to the Franklin Theater Arts.
For those of us fortunate to have had time interacting with Millie, a void exists that cannot be filled. Our thoughts go out to Alan and Millie’s family members—we know that it was a truly great lady who shared part of her life with us.
Gerry Kennedy
Editor-in-Chief