Tech Week: Feb 1-7

International Laboratory Animal Technician Week is scheduled for February 1–7, 2009. This is an ideal opportunity to offer special recognition to those hardworking individuals at your institution. This year’s theme is “Technicians Are the Key to Success.”

The Committee on Technician Awareness and Development has chosen the following items of recognition, which can be purchased through the AALAS bookstore. Please note that as of December 1, 2008, a minimum shipping charge applies to all orders, including free items.

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2009 National Meeting Submission Site Open

On behalf of program chair Dr. Stuart Leland and AALAS president Dr. Scott Perkins, the 2009 National Meeting Program Committee would like to encourage you to submit proposals for abstracts, seminars, special topic lectures, panel discussions, technical trade presentations, and workshops for the 2009 meeting in Denver.

Submissions will again be handled online starting today, January 5. Those of you who submitted topics or abstracts in the past year received today a system email with your password and username. New users must create an account.

Diabetes research is this year's special theme forum. As such, those of you with backgrounds and expertise in diabetes research or the clinical care of animal models in diabetes research are especially encouraged to submit.

Read the call for abstracts for complete requirements for submitting abstracts and proposing educational session topics. The deadline for topic submissions is March 15, 2009, while the deadline for abstract (posters and platforms) submissions is June 1.

Topic submissions should be designed specifically for one of the following formats: 2-hour, 45-minute seminar, 1.5-hour panel discussion, 1-hour special topic lecture, 4-hour workshop, or 20-minute technical trade presentation. If you choose to submit a topic, please note that you must include the title, brief description, and names and contact information for any suggested panelists, speakers, or leader. Once the submission undergoes review and acceptance, any substitution or addition of speakers must be approved by the Program Committee.

Abstract submissions will be considered for either a platform or poster presentation format. Platform presentations are typically 10-15 minutes in length and are grouped together by general category. If you choose to submit an abstract, please follow the guidelines and provide complete information. This will greatly assist the Program Committee in their review process and enable the correct assignment of your abstract to the appropriate program session.

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2008 AALAS National Meeting Recap

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Scand-LAS Award Presented

The Scandinavian Society for Laboratory Animal Science (Scand-LAS) presented “The Ulla Kristina Stephens Travel and Education Award” to Ms. Christina Ljung (center) of Karolinska University Hospital.

Pictured with Christina is her Director and Past President of Scand-LAS, Dr. Ann-Christine Eklof (left) and award donor U. Kristina Stephens.

The award is for a laboratory animal technical person who is a member of Scand-LAS and who has shown exceptional potential for personal growth.

The $ 3,500 award amount goes toward attending the 2008 AALAS National Meeting and includes a one-year membership in AALAS.

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National Meeting Update

The AALAS National Meeting is less than three weeks away! Please take note of the following items as you plan to travel to Indianapolis. And, don't forget to visit the National Meeting website for information about the programs, speakers, and events that will take place.

Itinerary Planner Available
Through the online submission site for abstracts and topics (Abstract Central), meeting attendees can now plan their itineraries online. To start, just click on the Open/Create Itinerary link on the left, or click Browse to view the schedule. If you have created an itinerary you can browse sessions by day or type and then began planning your day.

New Indianapolis Airport Opening
A new Indianapolis airport terminal will open November 11. National Meeting attendees arriving and departing after this date will do so at the new terminal. For additional information about the airport, please click here.

Shuttle Coupon
Save $2 when you present this coupon on the Green Line Downtown/Airport Express (full fare is $7).

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NEW! Itinerary Planner for National Meeting

Through the online submission site for abstracts and topics (Abstract Central), meeting attendees can now plan their itineraries online at http://aalas.abstractcentral.com/planner.jsp.

To start, just click on the Open/Create Itinerary link on the left, or click Browse to view the schedule. If you have created an itinerary you can browse sessions by day or type and then began planning your day.

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Shipping Charge Change

For years now, AALAS has not charged shipping for free items ordered through the AALAS Bookstore. On December 1, 2008, AALAS will begin charging shipping for free items. The minimum shipping charge will be $7. Shipping charges for paid items will not change. Many of the free items are available in PDF format and can be downloaded at http://www.aalas.org/bookstore/downloads.aspx.

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