Exhibit Hall Dedicated Time BREAKFAST AND EXHIBIT HALL TIME – 8:00 am - 9:00 am LUNCH AND EXHIBIT HALL TIME – 11:30 am - 1:00 pm NCAB RECEPTION – 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm |
ENCORE 9:00 – 9:15 am – Platinum Sponsorship – Charles River Laboratories 9:15 – 10:00 am – Teams are Living Systems: Understanding Team Health and Development in the Workplace Speaker – Chineta Pullin, MSOL, MBA, LAT, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY Abstract: Teams are living systems made up of people who grow & adapt. Explore how communication, role clarity and workplace relationships shape team health. 10:15 – 10:45 am – Not Just a Large Mouse: Rethinking Welfare Best Practices for Mongolian Gerbils in Research Speaker – Kelly Rice Decker, DVM, DACLAM, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD Abstract: The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) is a valuable biomedical research model with species-specific husbandry and welfare needs. Although often compared with mice, gerbils are vigorous gnawers and natural burrowers that benefit from enrichment focused on chewing, deep bedding, and tunneling. This presentation will highlight key features of gerbil biology, practical care considerations, and facility strategies that support high standards of welfare for these unique rodents. 10:45 – 11:00 am – Platinum Sponsorship – Life Science Products 11:00 – 11:30 am – The Curious and the Common Facts About Guinea Pigs in Research Speaker – Karen Froberg-Fejko, VMD, RLATG, Bio-Serv, Flemington, NJ Abstract: How did guinea pigs become synonymous with scientific research? The familiar phrase “I’m not going to be a guinea pig” reflects their long-standing association with experimentation—an association shaped, in part, by a notable researcher’s social blunder. This presentation explores the historical and traditional use of guinea pigs in in vivo research and concludes with an overview of their anatomy, physiology, husbandry, housing, and enrichment needs. 3:15 – 3:45 pm – Using AI to Refine IACUC Investigations Speaker – Erin Straley, MS, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD Abstract: Analysis of prior IACUC cases using AI enhanced fact-finding and streamlined processes by integrating RCA and HPEL into a customized framework |
HEADLINER BALLROOM 9:00 – 10:00 am – Not Pretty Enough for the Brochure, Essential Enough to Stop Everything Speaker – James Cox, MLAS, BS, LATG, Janelia Institute, Ashburn, VA Abstract: There's a room in most animal research facilities that keeps everything else running, including science. And yet, you'll rarely find it in the brochure, or in an institution's social media posts. This talk names that room and asks what culture of care and openness could mean for the people who keep it running. If we're serious about raising the stakes in animal welfare, this is exactly where that commitment gets tested first. It closes with a look at where that room and its staff are headed next. 10:15 – 10:30 am – Platinum Sponsorship – Allentown 10:30 – 11:30 am – Shared Vision, Better Outcomes: Rethinking Vendor-Facility Collaboration Speaker – Theodore Plemons, MBA, CMAR, RLATG, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, MD Abstract: This session explores how animal facilities and vendors can move beyond standard solutions to align goals, strengthen collaboration, and co-develop approaches that improve outcomes. 3:15 – 3:45 pm – Enrichment Preferences of Domestic Pigs Speaker – MAJ Katelyn Thomas, DVM Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD Abstract: This presentation examines the behavioral preferences of domestic pigs for four durable enrichment devices in a laboratory setting. The study aims to identify preferred enrichment options that encourage species-typical exploratory behavior and support animal welfare. |
9:00 – 11:00 am – IACUC Bootcamp
Speaker - Susan Harper, DVM, Bethesda, MD
Abstract: Strengthen your foundation in IACUC responsibilities, regulatory requirements, protocol review, and best practices for animal care and use oversight. This interactive session is ideal for new and experienced IACUC members, administrators, veterinarians, investigators, and compliance professionals seeking practical knowledge they can apply immediately.
11:00 – 11:30 pm – From the Facility to the Conversation: Empowering Science Advocates to Shape the Future of Animal Research
Speaker – Naomi Charalambakis, PhD, Americans for Medical Progress, Philadelphia, PA
Abstract: This session will explore the importance of science advocacy in protecting and advancing responsible animal research. Attendees will learn practical ways to communicate with policymakers, respond to emerging challenges, and build public understanding of the critical role animal research plays in improving human and animal health. The session will also highlight resources from Americans for Medical Progress (AMP), including the Science Advocate Alliance, to help participants become informed and confident voices for ethical animal research.
3:15 – 4:15 pm – Building Trust
Speaker – Lisa Secrest, BA, CMAR, RLATG, Priority One Services, Alexandria, VA
Abstract: Trust is the foundation of every high-performing team — the confidence employees have that their leaders are on their side, treat them fairly, and treat setbacks as a natural part of growth. This session explores how supervisors earn that trust through deliberate, everyday communication rather than one-time gestures.