New Laboratory Animal Nutrition Course on the ALL

AALAS Learning Library (ALL) users will benefit from the newest course, "Laboratory Animal Nutrition." Developed by LabDiet®, this course provides an overview of the major nutrients required for proper laboratory animal nutrition, discusses the dietary requirements for common laboratory animal species, explains how dietary manipulations can be used in a research protocol, and provides information on custom diet formulations. This course is available in the Animal Care & Husbandry track and the Animal Health, Disease & Medicine track. Access to this course requires an account on the ALL.

AALAS National Election: Return Ballot by July 2

Official ballots for the 2007 AALAS national election have been mailed to all national AALAS members whose membership status is current. Be sure to cast your vote prior to the July 2, 2007, deadline for ballot returns.

Please note that you must vote in the district where your ballot is mailed. Incorrectly cast ballots are not counted. Instructions for casting your vote are included on the official ballot.

New Work Experience Criteria for Certification Programs

On May 21, new work experience criteria went into effect for the technician certification program. Now, experience gained in a non lab animal setting can be applied to your work experience criteria, using the following formula: 0.5 year in a non-lab animal environment = 1 month of lab animal experience.

In addition, the work experience criteria for the LAT and LATG has been reduced. Candidates with an ALAT certification that do not have a high school diploma or GED can apply for the LAT exam after gaining 2 years of experience after earning their ALAT certification.

The CMAR program also implemented new eligibly criteria based on survey results and feedback from members. Candidates may apply under one of the following criteria:

* Candidates with bachelors degree must document five years of work experience in the laboratory animal field, of which three must be in a managerial capacity.
* Candidates with associates degree must document eight years of work experience in the laboratory animal field, of which three must be in a managerial capacity.
* Candidates with a high school or GED diploma must document 10 years of work experience in the laboratory animal field, of which three must be in a managerial capacity.

CALAS Symposium

From left: Bruce Kennedy, AALAS president; Kim Edgar, LAMA president; and Gordon Yee, CALAS President.

The 46th Annual Symposium began June 2 in Calgary, AB. The conference offered a keynote address from Dr. Joseph Bielitzki and a general scientific program that covered areas such as antimicrobial therapy, infectious diseases, and inflammation and immunity. Also covered were how to build state-of-the-art animal facilities, cutting edge animal care programs, and top-notch animal care teams. Craig Bihun served as Scientific Program Chair and Doug Morck as Workshop Chair.