Careers Video Now Online

The AALAS Foundation's 15-minute "Careers in Laboratory Animal Science" video is now available for viewing online from the AALAS Foundation website. The video informs students about the variety of careers in laboratory animals science. Through interviews with professionals in the field, students can learn more about the necessity and importance of biomedical research.

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6th World Congress

The 6th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences was held August 21-25, 2007, in Tokyo. Objectives of the Congress are to:

• review progress made toward the 3Rs (Reduction, Refinement, Replacement) in education, research, and testing,
• develop a realistic understanding of the status of alternatives,
• create an understanding that in research, animal studies, together with clinical studies and in vitro methods, advance science,
• contribute to our basic understanding of biology and diseases, and
• encourage constructive discussions between animal protection groups and scientific communities.

AALAS presented a poster at
the meeting and set up an
informational booth for attendees
to learn more about AALAS' mission.

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Linda Toth Receives CRL Award

By Americans for Medical Progress

Congratulations to Linda Toth of the Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Medicine. She received the 2007 Charles River Laboratories’ Excellence in Refinement Award last month at the 6th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences in Tokyo.

Sponsored by Charles River Laboratories, in cooperation with the Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), the award honors an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development, promotion and/or implementation of refinement alternatives. “Refinement,” one of the “3Rs of alternatives,” refers to methods aimed at minimizing pain and distress for laboratory animals.

Dr. Toth was chosen to receive this award for “a body of research that improves both the understanding and practice of refinement alternatives.” Trained in pharmacology and in veterinary medicine, she is Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Associate Dean of Research and Faculty Affairs at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Her exceptional ability to integrate scientific goals and animal care serves to enhance both the quality of research and the quality of life for laboratory animals.

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FBR Appoints Paul McKellips to VP

Frankie L. Trull, president of the Foundation for Biomedical Research (FBR) announced the appointment of Paul McKellips to the position of Vice President.

McKellips, a media veteran has written, directed and produced five motion pictures and numerous television shows. Since moving to Washington in 2004 he has covered the Pentagon and State Department for television news and worked in Iraq for the past year as a public affairs specialist for the State Department’s Global Outreach Team. McKellips serves on the Board of Governors for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Emmys) and is a member of the National Press Club.

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CDC 10th International Symposium on Biosafety

CDC's 10th International Symposium on Biosafety: Protecting Workers in Clinical Laboratories, Research, Animal Care, and Public Health Communities will be held February 9-13, 2008, at the Omni Hotel at CNN Center, Atlanta.

Keynote Address: "Safer Together - A Common Purpose Arises from Uncommon Diversity" by Caryl Griffin, President, Elizabeth R. Griffin Research Foundation

• Session One - Risk Assessment and Management
• Session Two - Worker Protection
• Session Three - Preparedness
• Session Four - Concurrent: A. Animal Issues, B. Clinical Issues, C. Industrial Hygiene/Biosafety Issues
• Session Five - Facility Design and Equipment

For more information go to http://www.eagleson.org/cdc or call 207-490-1076.

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ACLAM Career Pathways Externship

The Career Pathways Committee of ACLAM is seeking applications from institutions that seek to fund veterinary students, and practicing veterinarians looking for a career change, for a 2-12 week externship to explore the field of laboratory animal medicine. A maximum stipend of $1,000 will be awarded per extern in support of extern travel, lodging and education.

Please note: the 2007 deadline for institutional application for the Veterinary Externship Program is September 28. Award announcements will be made by mid November 2007 to allow time for both institutions and student awardees to plan for the upcoming year. The Guidelines and Application forms may be found at http://www.aclam.org/education/pathways.html

For questions or additional information, please contact Pat Turner at pvturner@uoguelph.ca, or call (519) 824-4120 x54497. Completed applications should be sent to Stephanie Murphy murphyst@ohsu.edu.

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