Give an overview of this program, describing its particular strengths and any unique aspects that are not addressed in any of the other sections | The Rutgers University, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) Company, and Princeton University Tri-Institutional Laboratory Animal Medicine (LAM) residency training program is a unique academia and pharmaceutical industry partnership. This Tri-Institutional partnership is the main strength of this program providing access to 3 major biomedical research institutions to provide residents with greater perspective on biomedical research, compliance, and animal models. Key duties are as follows: • Works closely with veterinary staff and animal care staff to ensure that appropriate housing and veterinary care is provided for animals, and works with faculty and researchers (who use animals) to ensure humane treatment of animals in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and guidelines. • In support of research and teaching, this position provides instructional and hands-on training, assist in novel technique animal model development, and performs clinical and technical services such as providing clinical care to all animals, experimental surgery, and surgical and anesthesia support. This position is a 3-year term position with one year of research requirement. This research requirement may be waived for applicants with a PhD. The program is designed so that residents spend their first year on clinical rotations in Rutgers’ facilities. First year residents rotate through all areas of the animal care and use program on both campuses and develop familiarity with laws, regulations, and IACUC functions including protocol review and practice techniques and procedures with all species used and housed at the University. Primary rotations include: clinical medicine and preventive medicine/health surveillance and compliance. Additional rotations may include: experimental surgery, gnotobiotic facility, aquatics, farm animals, imaging, ABSL3 containment, In-vivo research services (IVRS), genome editing shared resource (GERS). During the first year, residents actively participate in the didactic components of the residency program, including LAM seminar series, journal club, pathology, and slide rounds. Also during the first year, residents are encouraged to begin an internal research project under the supervision of veterinarians on staff. The second year of training is dedicated to performing mentored research, with the goal of primary authorship on a hypothesis-driven, peer reviewed, scientific publication as part of the requirements for ACLAM boards eligibility. During the second year, residents also have option to do research studies within Animal Care in areas such as animal welfare, enrichment, anesthesia and analgesia etc. Second year, the residents continue to participate in didactic components. The IACUC protocol review is done by residents under direct mentor’s oversight during the first year and then done independently (with or without mentor’s oversight) during rest of the program. The third and final year includes assigned rotations in external sites at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and Princeton University and niche areas at Rutgers University. All residents participate in regulatory inspections as they occur (AAALAC, USDA, OLAW, etc). During the three years, residents participate in on-call duty on a rotational basis with other veterinary staff members. Strengths: a strong emphasis placed on management and leadership training, direct mentorship and time with program directors, flexibility to shape the residency program to your needs, experience with ABSL3 containment and gnotobiotic facilities, and experience in academia and the pharmaceutical industry. |
Describe any unique research interests of your faculty | There is a wide variety of research and our institutions are all currently expanding. Research areas of focus at Rutgers: cardiovascular, oncology, neuroscience, microbiology, infection/immunity, emerging pathogens, toxicology, genetics, etc. The unique aspect of this program is the exposure to public academia, private academia, and industry. |