Choosing a non-traditional path

Based on your experiences, what advice would you give to someone thinking of pursuing a career in lab animal science? Lab animal science is such a large field that there are endless ways to get involved. I would suggest that, first, a person identify her passions and then examine how these passions might fit into the broad field of lab animal science. I did this myself by talking with many lab animal veterinarians as I made my decision to enter the field. I contacted veterinarians from many backgrounds: some worked with different species, some worked in academic or industry settings, some provided clinical care or administrative and regulatory support. I contacted anyone who was willing to speak with me, to learn about all the possibilities that the field has to offer. Most people who work in lab animal science are excited about their jobs and willing to share their experiences, so I encourage anyone that is interested to be bold and reach out! The local branch of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science is always a good resource. I was fortunate that the lab animal veterinarians at the University of Georgia mentored me and put me in touch with the right people so I could make my own informed decision. improve reproducibility. Some researchers already explore issues of these types, but there are so many fields that require more research to explain and reduce experimental variation. Ultimately, this could reduce the number of animals needed for research. Though we might never be able to completely replace the role of animals in research, I have a personal goal to ensure that animal research garners sound data. From individual protocol reviews to the development of institutional guidelines and SOPs, lab animal veterinarians can effect positive changes across entire institutions. Through research we can reach still further to advance our understanding of animal welfare and environmental enrichment. I have enjoyed working on such projects during my residency with the Refinement and Enrichment Advancements Laboratory group, and I hope to continue contributing to this type of research in the future.