Journal Articles Now Available Ahead of Print

The February issue of Comparative Medicine (CM) is now available under the FastTrack option through Ingenta. This means that the articles will now be available ahead of print on the journal website. This new system enables AALAS to accelerate the exchange of scholarly information by publishing content before it has been published in the traditional journal issue.

The FastTrack articles are accessible from a link on the CM homepage. Title, authors, and abstract information are presented in the same way as articles within an issue. A subscription is required to access these articles. Once you are logged in to the AALAS website, go to the CM issues page (http://aalas.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/content/aalas/cm) and the new articles will be available through a link right above the newest volume (see arrow in image below):

National Meeting Abstract and Topic Submission Site Open

On behalf of program chair Dr. Scout Chou and AALAS president Dr. Kathy Laber, the 2012 National Meeting Program Committee would like to encourage you to submit proposals for abstracts, seminars, special topic lectures, panel discussions, technical trade presentations, and workshops for the 2012 meeting in Minneapolis.

Submissions will again be handled online starting today, January 5. Those of you who submitted topics or abstracts in the past year received a system email with your password and username. New users must create an account.

Trauma recovery is this year's spotlight forum. Those with backgrounds and expertise in research, clinical care, management, and husbandry of animal models used to study trauma recovery are especially encouraged to submit.

Read the call for abstracts for complete requirements for submitting abstracts and proposing educational session topics. The deadline for topic submissions is March 15, while the deadline for abstract (posters and platforms) submissions is June 1.

Topic submissions should be designed specifically for one of the following formats: 2:45-hours seminar, 1:30-hours panel discussion, 1-hour special topic lecture, 4-hour workshop; or 20-minute technical trade presentation. If you choose to submit a topic, please note that you must include the title, brief description, and names and contact information for any suggested panelists, speakers, or leader. Once the submission undergoes review and acceptance, any substitution or addition of speakers must be approved by the Program Committee.

Abstract submissions will be considered for either a platform or poster presentation format. Platform presentations are typically 10-15 minutes in length and are grouped together by general category. If you choose to submit an abstract, please follow the guidelines and provide complete information. This will greatly assist the Program Committee in their review process and enable the correct assignment of your abstract to the appropriate program session.

Please take note that this year's meeting coincides with Election Day. Make plans for absentee or early voting.

Bring the AREA Program to Your Neighborhood

Each year, AALAS conducts the Animal Research Education & Awareness (AREA) Program at the National Meeting to inform high school science students about the importance of quality laboratory animal care and research. This enlightening and engaging program, which receives rave reviews from educators, provides students with the unique opportunity to interact with laboratory animal science professionals and learn how biomedical research is advancing human and animal health. With the help of Pfizer, the AALAS Foundation now offers complimentary resources to help your branch conduct an AREA Program at your next branch or district meeting.

Conducting an AREA Program is a great way to advance students’ understanding, respect, and support for laboratory animal science. It’s also a fun way to make an impact on the lives of young people interested in science and medicine. The online AREA Program Guide (aalasfoundation.org/AREA_Program_Guide/player.html) contains complete instructions on how to conduct this tried-and-true program. The guide includes everything you need to make this an easy and rewarding experience for your branch members and AREA participants. In addition to the step-by-step guide, AALAS also offers free AREA Program backpacks, notebooks, pens, and Foundation outreach materials.

Most branch AREA expenditures are limited to lunch for program participants, printing costs, and meeting room expenses, though some go the extra mile and reimburse schools for transportation expenses related to the event. Some branches recruit sponsors to cover these expenses. Two other potential funding sources for your program are the Ben Cohen Branch Education Fund and the Pfizer Branch AREA Program Fund. The Cohen Branch Education Fund supports qualified educational programs offered by AALAS branches. In order to qualify for funding, branches must meet the branch compliance criteria and submit a complete application, including all supplemental documents. (Retroactive funding is not available). A limited number of AREA Program grants are also available through the Pfizer Branch AREA Program Fund. For information on how your branch can apply for these grants, please contact AALAS Foundation Administrator Mike Mathy at foundation@aalas.org.

AALAS 2011 Keynote Speaker: W Mitchell

Session Recording Access Available for Purchase

Session recordings from the AALAS 62nd National Meeting are available for purchase through AALAS On Demand (http://aalas.sclivelearningcenter.com). Purchase your access today and experience all that AALAS On Demand has to offer, including up to 100 recorded hours of educational content, audio sessions synchronized to PowerPoint™ slides, downloadable MP3s, and 24/7 availability to learn from the comfort of your home or office.

JAALAS in Top 100 for Full-text Downloads

According to Ingentaconnect, JAALAS ranks in the top 100 out of more than 15,000 titles for number of full-text downloads.

For the period September 1, 2011 to September 30, 2011:

• Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science ranks 26th with 2747 downloads.
• Comparative Medicine ranks 30th with 2572 downloads.

 Other statistics to note:

• Comparative Medicine ranks 32nd with 6241 table-of-content views.
• Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science ranks 78th with 3756 table-of-content views.

Social Media and Laboratory Animal Science

This is the PowerPoint file from the AALAS National Meeting session "Social Media and Laboratory Animal Science." You're welcome to download the slides for use at your Branch, department, or business.

Social Media Overview

View more presentations from Chris Lyons.