Title:                IACUC Administrators Best Practice Meeting; Wildlife Focus

 

Location:                    Twin Creek Science & Education Center, Smoky Mountains National Park

1316 Cherokee Orchard Rd

Gatlinburg, TN 37738

 

Lodging:                     The Park Vista a DoubleTree by Hilton

705 Cherokee Orchard Road

Gatlinburg, TN 37738

www.parkvista.com

 

A block of rooms have been reserved for you convenience.  Hotel reservations MUST be made through the following link as the number of hotel rooms reserved as part of the conference impact the IAA’s contract with the meeting vendor. Click below to make your hotel reservations:

1. Government Employee Registration Link (must have government ID when checking in), Meeting Code is IAA:           LINK

2. Non-government registration link, Meeting Code is IAC:   LINK

Transportation:        Parking at the Twin Creek Science and Education Center is limited and requires a prepaid parking pass. For your convenience, there will be a shuttle from the hotel running on a regular rotation before and after the conference both days.                                  

Meeting Support       IACUC Administrators Association

 Event Fees:                IAA NON-Members:              $ 335.00 

IAA Members:                        $ 235.00

Background

The IACUC Administrators Association (IAA) is alliance of IACUC Administrators that strongly advocate for the animal care and use administrative community.  The IAA facilitates the sustainable development of IACUC administrative professionals, and the ongoing advancement of institutions’ animal care and use programs (ACUP).  

The IAA provides administrators professional development opportunities primarily through IACUC Administrators’ Best Practice (BP) Meetings and webinars.  BP meetings are facilitated by co-moderators and invited guest speakers.  BP meeting discussions investigate and evaluate the specific mechanics of various ACUP processes.

Meeting

Introduction:

Join us for an immersive two-day professional development opportunity designed specifically for Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP) professionals. This IACUC Administrators Best Practice Meeting will delve into the intricate regulations and management strategies essential for overseeing research activities involving wild animal species. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the unique challenges and nuisances associated with this type of research, including ethical considerations, compliance with federal and institutional regulations, and effective management of risks to both the animals and the environment. Attendees will gain valuable insights into best practices for ensuring that their IACUC protocols are robust and aligned with the latest regulatory requirements, enabling them to navigate the complexities of research involving wildlife with confidence and precision. Attendance to this program will be limited to approximately 35 individuals.

Discussion topics and proposed agenda items*

• Please note:  The agenda was developed to expand and strengthen the expertise of IACUC professionals, including administrators, committee members and compliance directors. During the registration process (or send Bill Greer an email (wggreer@umich.edu) attendees are encouraged to identify specific topics that they would like to discuss.

This program will delve into topics specific to field-type research, focusing on best practices, regulatory compliance, and ethical considerations. Participants will engage in facilitator-led discussions to enhance their understanding and implementation of the regulations. Below is the tentative meeting agenda which is subject to change.

Tuesday, October 15, 2024  

7:30 – 9:00      Shuttle on a regular rotation between The Park Vista Hotel and the Twin Creek Science and Education Center

7:30 – 8:00      Registration

8:00 – 8:15      Welcome, Opening Remarks

8:15 – 9:00      IAA and ACUP Demographics

9:00 – 10:00        What is considered a field study? Defining invasive procedures and materially altering behavior

10:00 – 10:15      Break

10:30 – 12:00      Classifying wildlife activities according to the USDA Pain Scale (Cat C, D or E)  

12:00 – 1:00        Networking Lunch

1:00 – 2:30          Defining and IACUC oversight of wildlife housing facilities and procedure areas

2:30 – 2:45          Break

2:45 – 3:15          Managing field research when non-target species are implemented.

3:30 – 4:30          Field Euthanasia

4:30 – 5:00          Questions and Answers, Summary, Program Evaluation and Wrap-up

4:30 – 6:00          Shuttle on a regular rotation between the Twin Creek Science and Education Center and The Park Vista Hotel

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

7:30 – 9:00          Shuttle on a regular rotation between The Park Vista Hotel and the Twin Creek Science and Education Center

8:00 – 9:15          Building your IACUC based on the committee’s mission; What Expertise is needed?

9:15 – 10:30        Does the IACUC oversee wildlife conservation or only research? What’s the difference?

10:30 – 10:45      Break

10:45 – 11:30      Training (including OccHealth Issues) Field Study Scientists and Research Staff

11:30 – 12:00      Understanding the five domains (nutrition, environment, health, behavior, and mental state) of wildlife  research.

12:00 – 1:00        Networking Lunch

1:00 – 3:00          Park Biologist Presentations and Discussions

3:00 – 3:15          Summary, Program Evaluation and Wrap-up

3:00 – 4:30          Shuttle on a regular rotation between the Twin Creek Science and Education Center and The Park Vista Hotel

This meeting is designed to equip IACUC administrators with the knowledge and skills necessary to support their institutions' animal research programs effectively. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your professional expertise and network with peers in the field.

Co-Facilities

Bill Greer, Assistant Vice President for Research, University of Michigan

Bill graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 1985 with a degree in Microbiology. He currently oversees various research compliance programs, including animal care and use, biosafety, lab safety, controlled substances, and autonomous systems research. His previous roles include Associate Director for Research Compliance, IACUC Vice-Chair, and Biosafety Committee Chair at Penn State, as well as production manager and safety director at Intervet. Bill has over 35 years of experience in managing animal care and biosafety compliance programs. In 2005, he organized the first research administrators Best Practice Meeting and continues to facilitate annual meetings. He chaired the founding committee for the IACUC Administrators Association (IAA) in 2010 and serves as its president and board chair. Since 2007, Bill has been an ad hoc consultant to AAALAC, performing institutional reviews. He was also a member of the Council of Certified Professional IACUC Administrators (CCPIA) and regularly lectures at various professional venues, including PRIM&R, AALAS, and BTAA.

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; and the Director, Division of Comparative Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; he is currently retired.  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.