The w88 casino games, Reno announces that it was just awarded full reaccreditation for its commitment to excellence in animal care and use by AAALAC International. The faculty, staff, Animal Resources team, w88 casino games Agricultural Experiment Station ranches and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) were commended for operating an exemplary and cohesive program. Among their many positive statements, AAALAC specifically noted the close and collegial cooperation across groups with high levels of respect and teamwork evident at all levels, in addition to the well-documented and effective animal use training programs.
“We are grateful to our faculty, staff and students’ time and energy required for this highly successful triennial AAALAC site visit in October,” Ben Weigler, senior director for Animal Resources and the campus attending veterinarian, said.
The Animal Resources team of veterinarians and certified professionals, part of theUniversity's Research & Innovationdivision and guided by Weigler, oversees animal care and provides veterinary services University-wide. They help oversee regulatory compliance, provide research services and scientific guidance, facilitate training for faculty and staff who work with animals, give guest lectures and help develop curriculum and learning opportunities for students in different programs on campus.
“At the w88 casino games, we are committed to conducting research that is both innovative and ethically responsible,” Mridul Gautam, vice president for research and innovation, said. “This reaccreditation underscores the University’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards in animal care while advancing scientific discovery. Our faculty, staff and students play a critical role in ensuring research integrity, and this achievement highlights their expertise and commitment.”
AAALAC accreditation was first awarded to the University in 2007. AAALAC International is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs.In addition to AAALAC’s peer review process, the University’s use of animals in teaching and research is overseen by extensive regulatory requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture as well as the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
“Our continued AAALAC accreditation is a testament to the fantastic support team in Animal Resources and our dedicated faculty in biomedical, agricultural and life/natural sciences who work and adhere to the utmost rigor in animal research and discovery,” Brad Ferguson, associate professor and graduate program director in the Department of Nutrition and current chair of the IACUC, said. “Our team on the IACUC is also dedicated to ensuring that our faculty and staff are supported and continuously updated about the importance for the humane treatment of animals in science.”
Beyond regulatory compliance, Animal Resources work with faculty to identify opportunities for improvement, enhance services and expand support for animal-based studies and animal teaching programs.
“Over the past decade, our department has evolved from primarily service providers to integral faculty collaborators, and this transition will continue into the future,” Weigler said. “This was the University’s best agricultural program review by AAALAC, and we are proud of our stellar track record of compliance with all the animal welfare regulatory oversight bodies.”
To further engage the public on the important role of animal research in scientific advancements, the University will celebrate Biomedical Research Awareness Day (BRAD) on April 17, 2025. Stop by the BRAD table in the north lobby of the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center anytime between 10 a.m.-1 p.m., and enjoy snacks, games and swag. This international outreach initiative highlights the essential contributions of animals in medical progress and the ongoing commitment to their ethical and humane treatment in scientific studies.
