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CIIT is developing new research initiatives that will improve our understanding of animal-to-human extrapolations, define the shape of the dose-response curve at environmentally relevant exposure levels, and elucidate the biological basis for differential responses to environmental chemicals as a function of developmental status, gender, and genetics. The overall goal of these initiatives is to reduce current uncertainties in human risk assessments that now lead to overdependence on default assumptions. Research preeminence cannot be attained without state-of-the-art facilities. On April 1, we opened the first phase of a two-story, 28,000-square-foot laboratory annex. When fully occupied, this new facility will enable CIIT to double its research efforts over the next decade. A 3000-square-foot, semimodular laboratory that can be reconfigured to meet the changing needs of our research program was completed in March 2002 by renovating space within the existing building. This laboratory is home to our microarray, robotics, and confocal imaging facilities. CIIT also renovated two banks of rooms in our original inhalation facility in 2002 to create a facility for breeding and housing genetically engineered mice. This facility can house up to 11,000 mice and is a significant part of our commitment to building major new strengths in genetics research. Our chemical industry sponsors benefit from our ability to bring cutting-edge scientific expertise to the Long-Range Research Initiative (LRI) of the American Chemistry Council. Our sponsors also benefit from the fact that CIIT is now competitive for funding from government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), from new industry sources such as pharmaceutical companies, and from private foundations. During the past three years, we have tripled our external funding to a current level of $4 million annually and have diversified our research portfolio to include several competitive awards from NIH and EPA. Our five-year strategic plan projects that we will bring in over $10 million annually in external funds by 2008. These new grant awards and programs leverage the current $16 million annual LRI investment in CIIT both scientifically and financially. Diversifying and expanding funding beyond the LRI commitment will enable CIIT to maintain future financial viability, continued scientific excellence, and organizational health. CIIT has evolved into a modern, dynamic organization with expanded staff and facilities. CIIT 's research program reflects a synergistic approach that provides increased value to those seeking new information in order to make the best possible decisions about human health risks. In meeting this goal, CIIT fulfills its commitment to its sponsors and the public at large. From the outstanding caliber of our scientific staff to state-of-the-art laboratories and cutting-edge technologies, we are maximizing the resources available to us. The quality of research carried out at CIIT will continue to reach new levels of excellence in areas critical to our mission. As we build on our reputation as a global leader in toxicology and human health sciences research, we honor the vision of our founders and are taking our place as one of the preeminent research institutions in the world.