Topic Summary

Research, instruction and testing activities that involve vertebrate animals are regulated by federal, state, local and institution regulations and policies.  Approximately 85% of the animals used for research are laboratory mice and rats (National Association for Biomedical Research).  Consequently, common and best practices for reviewing and performing activities involving these species and other traditional laboratory animals have been established due to ongoing repetition among institutions. 

Along with the expectations for overseeing laboratory animal research, there exists the same expectations for research activities involving wild vertebrate animals in the field.  In some cases, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees and Administrators have significant experience reviewing, approving and overseeing laboratory animal research, but they lack the resources to assess thoroughly the unique circumstances associated with wildlife research.  In fact and under some circumstances, IACUCs and administrators attempt to apply the same philosophies applied to wildlife activities that they apply to animal activities associated with biomedical research.   

There are unique circumstances associated with wildlife research activities.  In addition to satisfying the foundational expectation of ensuring the best welfare for research animals, activities involving wildlife are also subject to state permitting requirements, extraordinary occupational health and safety risks, and other unique circumstances only associated with wildlife research.   

During this webinar, the presenter will introduce unique challenges associated with wildlife research.  Attendees will help to identify various unique wildlife associated challenges.  We will identify techniques used by organizations that frequently review and oversee wildlife studies, and discuss some tried and tested ideas for the review, approval and oversight of wildlife research.  Collectively attendees will discuss the topic by, for example, posing questions to the speakers and other attendees, offering effective ideas, and ultimately identifying effective and practical processes for managing and overseeing wildlife research.     

Meeting Co-Facilitators

Ron E. Banks, DVM:  received his veterinary degree from Auburn University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, and retired a Colonel from the United States Army Veterinary Corps.  After postings as the Director, Center for Comparative Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado; and Director, Office of Animal Welfare Assurance at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; he currently serves as the Director, Division of Comparative Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Along his professional journey he has contributed as Council Member on AAALAC’s Council on Accreditation; Chairman of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee; Board Member for the IACUC Administrator’s Association; and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice.  Dr. Banks is board certified with the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine; the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine; and he is a Charter Diplomate of the American College of Animal Welfare.

Bill Greer, BS:  received his Bachelor’s in Microbiology from Penn State University in 1985.  He currently serves as the Assistant Vice President for Research at the University of Michigan.  His previous roles included Associate Director for Research Compliance at the Pennsylvania State University, and research technician, production manager and Safety Officer at Intervet, State College, PA (Formally Tri Bio Laboratories).  In 2005, he organized and held the first IACUC Administrators’ Best Practices Meeting, which establish a venue for administrators meet informally and discuss programmatic concerns.  He continues to facilitate at least three annual Best Practice meetings.  In 2007, he initiated the process of establishing the IACUC Administrators Association (IAA), which is a professional organization of IACUC Administrators.  In 2010, he chaired the founding committee for the non-profit education based IAA organization.  He now serves as the president and chair of the IAA board of directors.  Since 2007, Bill has served as ad hoc specialist to AAALAC Council where he participates in institutional program reviews, assessments, and status determinations.  He served as a member of the Council of Certified Professional IACUC Administrators (CCPIA).  He continues to facilitate training activities at multiple venues including PRIM&R, AALAS, BTAA, C3, and both IACUC and IBC Administrators Best Practice Meetings.

OLAW Representative to be determined

USDA Representative to be determined

Programs Support

The IACUC Administrators Association (IAA) and related activities are supported through OLAW and IAA memberships.  Membership fees through ongoing involvement from the community allow the IAA to keep activities fees at a minimum.  We ask that you please become a new member, or maintain your membership status (memberships are renewed annually).  If you are a current member of the IAA, you are free to attend webinars at no charge.  Individuals that are non-members or those with expired memberships will be asked to provide $30 in support for each webinar they attend.

Meetings are Eastern Standard Time