Animal Care Services (ACS) at UBC plays a pivotal role in fostering ethical and high-quality research through its comprehensive Animal Care and Use Program. Working in close collaboration with the Animal Care Committee, ACS provides essential services that underpin the university’s commitment to the responsible use of animals in research, ensuring both animal welfare and scientific rigor. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice-President, Research & Innovation, ACS offers a wide spectrum of support, encompassing research assistance, veterinary expertise, regulatory compliance, comprehensive training, efficient procurement, state-of-the-art animal housing, specialized technical services, and robust administrative support. Every member of the ACS team is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of care for laboratory animals, recognizing their crucial contribution to research that advances health outcomes for both humans and animals.
Animal Care Services is structured to provide multifaceted support to researchers through specialized teams:
ACS Leadership Team: Strategic Direction and Operational Excellence
The ACS Leadership Team provides overarching direction and management for all ACS operations and services, ensuring alignment with the broader Animal Care and Use Program at UBC. Their responsibilities include:
- Strategic Oversight: Managing ACS operations and services to maintain a high standard of support for research activities.
- Business Development: Identifying opportunities for growth and expansion of research capabilities within ACS to better serve the UBC research community.
- Safe Research Environment: Maintaining a secure and efficient research environment within ACS facilities, prioritizing both animal and personnel safety.
- Programmatic Support: Providing strategic support to the Associate Vice-President, Research & Innovation, in the advancement and implementation of the Animal Care & Use Program.
- Communication and Collaboration: Developing and maintaining open communication channels with researchers and key stakeholders to ensure effective collaboration and responsiveness to research needs.
- Researcher Integration: Facilitating the recruitment and seamless integration of new researchers into the Animal Care and Use Program, providing necessary guidance and resources.
- Efficient Research Activities: Striving to balance stringent CCAC (Canadian Council on Animal Care) compliance requirements with the practical needs of researchers, fostering an environment conducive to efficient and effective research.
Veterinary Services Team: Ensuring Animal Health and Research Integrity
The Veterinary Services Team is crucial for maintaining the health and welfare of research animals and providing specialized expertise to researchers. Their key functions include:
- Advanced Veterinary Care: Performing advanced surgical procedures and delivering specialized technical services tailored to the unique needs of research animals.
- Protocol Development and Refinement: Collaborating with researchers in the development and refinement of research protocols, ensuring both scientific validity and the highest standards of animal welfare are integrated into experimental design.
- Animal Model Expertise: Developing and maintaining appropriate animal models that are essential for addressing specific research questions and ensuring the relevance and translatability of research outcomes.
- Diagnostic and Analytical Services: Providing in-house diagnostic testing and histological analysis to support animal health monitoring and enhance the interpretation of research results.
- Training and Education: Delivering comprehensive educational programs and hands-on workshops focusing on best practices in animal handling, husbandry techniques, and ethical research procedures, empowering researchers and staff with essential skills and knowledge.
Compliance Team: Upholding Regulatory Standards and Ethical Animal Use
The Compliance Team ensures adherence to the highest ethical and regulatory standards governing animal research at UBC. Their core responsibilities encompass:
- Facility Audits: Conducting thorough and regular inspections of animal care facilities to guarantee full compliance with all relevant regulatory standards and guidelines, maintaining optimal environments for animal well-being.
- Continuing Protocol Review: Implementing ongoing oversight and review of research protocols to proactively safeguard animal welfare throughout the duration of research projects, ensuring ethical considerations remain paramount.
- Post-Approval Monitoring: Verifying meticulous adherence to approved research protocols and ethical animal use practices after study commencement, promoting accountability and continuous improvement in animal care.
Business Operations Team: Streamlining Processes and Supporting Research Advancement
The Business Operations Team ensures the smooth and efficient logistical and administrative functions that are vital to the success of the Animal Care and Use Program. Their key functions include:
- Animal Procurement and Logistics: Efficiently managing the procurement, secure delivery, and careful movement of animals required for research projects, ensuring timely access to essential research resources.
- Administrative Oversight: Overseeing the day-to-day operational and administrative functions of ACS, maintaining organizational effectiveness and responsiveness.
- Strategic Improvement Initiatives: Leading strategic initiatives focused on the continuous improvement of ACS services and infrastructure, proactively supporting advancements in research capabilities at UBC.
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