Thursday, June 26, 2008

Registration Now Open for AALAS National Meeting


Online registration for the 59th AALAS National Meeting in Indianapolis is now open. Exhibitors must register through their companies.

This year, registered attendees may also sign up for workshops online. Remember, you must have registered for the meeting before you can register for workshops. The remainder of the preliminary meeting program will be online in approximately two weeks. In the meantime, check the AALAS National Meeting website for the latest updates.

See you in Indianapolis!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds Harm Mouse Fertility

According to a NatureNews article, "The quaternary ammonium compounds ADBAC (n -alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride) and DDAC (didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) were identified after an exhaustive search for what was causing a massive drop-off in mouse fertility..." Click here for the full article.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Changes Underway for AALAS Foundation

The AALAS Foundation Board of Directors held their annual summer meeting June 4 and 5 in Philadelphia. Part of this time was spent on strategic planning, which resulted in a change on how the Foundation funds projects.

The Foundation Board noted the trend for companies to offer year-to-year giving instead of pledges, and that companies are also wanting to fund specific projects instead of general funds. As a result, the Foundation voted to change its focus to function as an operating organization with the purpose of creating, implementing, and evaluating public outreach program and products. This change means the Foundation grant system will be retired effective immediately; however, currently funded grants will be completed.

The board also determined that a smaller board with functioning committees will make it easier to manage and direct the Foundation. The new board structure will result in nine at-large positions, two Board of Trustee liaison positions, a Treasurer, and two ex-officio positions. Changes will take effect through attrition. In addition, the following committees were established, and one or more directors will serve as committee chair: fund raising, marketing/public relations, proposal/project committee, national meeting, branch relations, policies & procedures.

For more information about the AALAS Foundation, please visit http://aalasfoundation.org/index.html.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

2008 Compensation Survey Available

The 2008 AALAS Laboratory Animal Facility Compensation Survey is now available in the AALAS Bookstore. The cost is $150 for members and $250 for nonmembers.

The information contained in this report represents complete and up-to-date compensation data on laboratory animal science professionals, allowing an institution to easily compare its compensation levels and benefits with its peers.

The study highlights compensation levels and organizational practices for 12 laboratory animal facility-related positions throughout the United States: director, manager, supervisor, clinical veterinarian, IACUC coordinator, training coordinator, research technician, animal health care technician, senior-level laboratory animal technician, mid-level laboratory animal technician, entry-level laboratory animal technician, and cagewasher.

The 124 responding organizations provided information regarding the institution, the laboratory animal science facility, benefits, salary administration, technician certification, and personnel compensation.

Compensation information was reported for all positions. The data reflect detailed information for each job title (individually and totally for those with certified/non-certified incumbents) as follows:
  • Number of responses
  • Number of incumbents
  • Total compensation (base salary, bonus, overtime, plus other cash compensation)
  • Mean, median, 25th percentile, and 75th percentile
  • Base salary mean
  • Bonus mean
  • Overtime mean
  • Other cash compensation mean
  • Benefits value mean
  • Salary range/wage scale minimum and maximum mean
The data are also broken down by geographic region, type of institution, number of employees, and number of employees in the department.

Nominate Your Deserving TBR

The July 1, 2008, deadline is approaching to nominate an outstanding Technician Branch Representative (TBR) for the AALAS TBR Recognition Award. The award consists of a complimentary AALAS National Meeting registration, a complimentary hotel room, plus an additional $150 in travel funds and reimbursement of airfare up to $500. Nominations are accepted from any AALAS branch member, a member of the AALAS branch’s board of directors, or the district’s CTAD representative.

If you have a TBR in your branch who you feel has exhibited exemplary job performance, please nominate him or her online at http://www.aalas.org/resources/tbr_award_nomination_form.aspx.

To be eligible, TBRs must:
  • Be actively involved in local AALAS branch activities (attend branch meetings, place articles in branch newsletter, etc.)
  • Participate in the TBR network (maintain regular contact with other TBRs and with district CTAD rep)
  • Participate in CTAD activities at all levels (promote Tech Week within their branch, volunteer at CTAD booth at National Meeting, participate in CTAD events at National Meeting, etc.)
  • Submit letters of recommendation
  • Demonstrate financial need
Technician Branch Representatives (TBRs) are a vital part of the Committee on Technician Awareness and Development (CTAD). TBRs share technicians’ activities, ideas, and suggestions; help technicians promote biomedical research on a local and regional basis; provide technicians with professional opportunities and strategies; encourage them to participate in AALAS at a local and national level; and request technicians’ articles for AALAS publications.

In short, they provide a valuable connection between national AALAS and technicians in the field. For additional information about this award program, please send email to Lisa Evans at lisa.evans@aalas.org or contact the AALAS national office at (901) 754-8620.

Regulatory Flash Now Available

Now there is a study tool to help you learn the material in the regulatory mandates. Regulatory Flash is a new study aid with short answer and true/false questions. It is designed to help you review the regulatory mandates included in the reference lists, which are required reading for any of the AALAS technician certification exams.

Regulatory Flash may be ordered from the AALAS Bookstore at www.aalas.org. The cost is $15 for members and $22 for nonmembers.

BOT Meeting Notice

The AALAS Board of Trustees Summer Business Session will be held June 20 and 22 in Memphis, Tennessee. Members are encouraged to contact their district trustees if they have any issues they want addressed. Board meetings, except for closed sessions, are open to AALAS members. AALAS does not reimburse expenses for attending the meeting.

2008 AALAS Election

Official ballots for the 2008 AALAS election were mailed in early June. As an AALAS member, you are eligible to vote for one vice president-elect candidate and one trustee and/or alternate trustee candidate from within your district. Please note that your district is determined by the address to which your ballot is mailed.

This is your opportunity to select a vice president-elect to serve as 2011 AALAS president and to decide who will represent your district for the next three years. Trustee and alternate trustee terms begin at the close of the 2008 National Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, and end at the close of the 2011 National Meeting in San Diego, CA.

The official ballot and the AALAS website include the names of all eligible candidates for each position, their position statement, photo, and background/credential information. View background information at www.aalas.org/association/ballot_info.asp (must be logged in to view).

2008 Candidates


Vice President-Elect
  • Robert C. Dysko, DVM
  • Ann Marie Dinkel, BS, MBA, RLATG
District 1 Trustee
  • Scott A. Mischler, DVM, PhD
  • Marie A. Ortega, BA, RLATG
  • Laura A. Conour, DVM
District 2 Trustee
  • Raymond Butler, RLATG
  • Deyanira I. Santiago, BS, RLATG
District 4 Trustee
  • Christopher S. King, DVM
  • Chandra D. Williams, BS, DVM
  • Thomas S. Golding, DVM
District 4 Alternate Trustee
  • Steven D. Blevins, BS, RLATG
District 5 Alternate Trustee
  • Verda A. Davis
  • Christina Kobs, BS, RLATG
  • Theodore W. Sanders, Jr., DVM
District 6 Trustee
  • Maria Lang, AA, RLATG
  • Terrie L. Grove
District 6 Alternate Trustee
  • no candidate
District 7 Trustee
  • George W. Lantrip, MS, RLATG
  • Brian E. Gillman, RLATG