tbaalas · can bring the item to the conference with you. 58th annual tbaalas meeting february 18 -...
TRANSCRIPT
TBAALAS
1 TBAALAS Newsletter
The President’s Message Historian Corner 2
Silent Auction 4
Technician Spotlight 6
Newly Certified 7
Board Meeting Minutes 8
Elected officials 12
TBAALAS Texas Branch American Association of Laboratory Animal Science Winter 2020
About The Cover
Hello Friends,
This year has just flown by! I can’t believe our annual meeting is almost here! Please see our website for meeting registration, hotel reservations and the preliminary program. Preparing to take the CMAR exam? We are offering the AR review course taught by Diana Baumann, from the Stowers Institute, on Tuesday, February 18th! Our social event on Wednesday evening is planned at Aqua Brew! Your Technician Branch Representative, Brittany Franshaw, has some fun, friendly competition planned for Technician Olympics during the evening of our social, so be sure to come out and participate or cheer on your colleagues. Ann Turner, National AALAS Executive Director, and Tracy Parker, National AALAS President, will be in attendance at the meeting, so make sure to say hello, introduce yourself and show them our southern hospitality. I wanted to thank everyone who nominated a deserving colleague for an award. I also wanted to thank everyone who is speaking or presenting a poster. We would not have a successful meeting without you! I hope to see all of you at our annual meeting in San Marcos! It has been a pleasure to serve this great organization over the past year as President. Thank you for all of your support. I could not have done it without the work and support of the wonderful board and committee members. It is truly a team effort and I have been blessed to be a player on this team. Please remember to check our website, email blasts and Facebook page regularly for updates on activities throughout the year.
Adrienne
FOLLOW US:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TBAALAS/
In mice, the agouti gene determines whether
the animal will be yellow or grey and brown.
The agouti-signaling protein (ASIP) is a
competitive antagonist with alpha-
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)
to bind with melanocortin 1 receptor
(MC1R) proteins.
All mammals have a gene called agouti.
When a mouse's agouti gene is completely unmethylated, its coat is yellow and it is
obese and prone diabetes and cancer. When
the agouti gene is methylated (as it is in
normal mice), the coat color is brown and
the mouse has a low disease risk.
2 TBAALAS Newsletter
TBAALAS Historians Corner Pat Sikes—TBAALAS Historian
Texas Branch AAALAS Recognition Awards
We’ve had some incredible folks honored with these awards. The Award winners from 1980, 1981, 1991-2008 can be found in the July 2008 Newsletter – check out our newsletter archives at www.tbaalas.net
2009 Level I – Tabatha Neely - Lexicon Level II – Jamie Nederhoed - UTSW Level III – Pam Huskey – UTMDACC Smithville Manager – Andy Pesek - UTMDACC Veterinarian – Dr. Christina Jones - UTMDACC
2010 Level I – Jessica Cobos – TAMU Level II – Ryan Byrd – TAMU Level III – Angelique Colby – UTHSC SA Veterinarian – Dr. Sherry Walters – Alcon 2011 Level I – Patty Montgomery – TAMU Level II – Brandon Ackley – Lexicon Level III – Dan Edwards – Alcon Manager – Mary MacCallum – UTMB Veterinarian – Dr. Jody Swain - Baylor 2012
Level I – Eli Rodriguez - UTMDACC Level II – Summer Boyd - Baylor Level III – Judith Barnett - UTMB Manager – Adrienne Ferguson - UTMDACC Veterinarian – Dr. Jeff Stanton - Baylor
2013
Level I – Julyne Centeno Level II – Katie Strychalski Level III – Julie Roller - UTSW Manager – Gabrielle Kapp - TAMU Veterinarian – Dr. William Norton - UTMDACC
2014 Level I – Megan Stridde - TAMU Level II – Laura Condel – TBRI Level III – Tori White- Scott&White Manager – Jack Simons – UTHSC SA Veterinarian – Dr. Nicole Monts de Oca - UH Helen Jordan – John Park – Animal Care Systems
2015
Level I – Christina Hernandez - UTMB Level II – Jean Kovar– TAMU Level III – Karolynn Niven- UTMB Manager – Chris Southern – Baylor Veterinarian – Dr. Curtis Klages – UTMB
2016 Level I – Kelsy Bayless - UTMDACC Level II – Meredith Spice – UTMDACC Level III – Jacqueline Bludworth - UTHSC Houston Manager – Jessica Graber – UTMB
2017
Level I – Tocarra Reynolds - Baylor Level II – Cadie Larson Level III – Marita Husted - UTMB Manager – Kelly Campbell – Rice Veterinarian – Dr. Vanessa Jensen – UTMDACC
2018
Level I – Rita Steckler Level II – Keisha Roberts - UTMDACC Level III – Keely McGrew – Charles River Manager – Michelle Yacovone – UTMDACC Veterinarian – Dr. Julia Goldman – UTHSC Houston Helen Jordan – John Zapata – Ancare
2019 Level I – Tenisha Smith - Baylor Level II – Kelly Gale - UTMDACC Level III – Arturo Barrera - UTMDACC Veterinarian – Dr. Jennifer Mitchell – UTMDACC
For those of you that have retired or are of that age range, please check your files for Newsletters from 1982-1990. We have the nomination letters but no indi-cation of the winners for these years. If you find any, please let me know.
3 TBAALAS Newsletter
2ND
ANNUAL TBAALAS
BEACH CLEANUP
WHEN:
February 29, 2020 8am – 9am
WHERE:
Across from Float Pool and Patio Bar 2828 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550
Coffee and pastries to follow at UTMB building 17E lobby.
(Intersection of 11th and Strand)
If you are at least 75% certain you w ill be attending please contact [email protected] so that I can update campus police, and
ensure there is enough food and beverage.
4 TBAALAS Newsletter
We Need YOU! Please donate an item to the TBAALAS Silent Auction. You can send in your item
before the meeting and the silent auction organizers will put it up for auction or you
can bring the item to the conference with you.
58th Annual TBAALAS Meeting
February 18 - 21 2020, San Marcos, TX
The goal of the silent auction is to give back to those at the very core of any animal research
program—The Technicians! Money raised from the silent auction is used to send one lucky
technician to National AALAS each year. Please submit this form to the organizer e-mails below
by Friday, February 7th, 2020.
Please email Silent Auction Donation form to:
Keely McGrew: [email protected]
Jennifer Volkmann: [email protected]
Velvetlee Finckbone: [email protected]
Mike Dvorak: [email protected]
*Send items to:
Keely McGrew
13014 Castlewind Lane
Pearland, TX 77584
Donor/Company Name:
Contact/Phone number:
Contact Email:
Item Description:
Estimated Value ($):
Please Check One: __Sending Item* __Will bring
5 TBAALAS Newsletter
Links
LOCATION EMAIL WEBSITE
TBAALAS Website http://www.tbaalas.net
Program Chair, Rebecca Blackwood [email protected]
Awards, Michelle Yacovone [email protected]
Membership Chair, Keisha Roberts [email protected]
TBAALAS Awards Website http://www.tbaalas.net/page-364035
Homes for Animal Heroes http://animalheroes.naiaonline.org/
Newsletter Editor, Matt Schmit [email protected]
Nature Magazine Legislative Report https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-01324-7
HAH Virtual 5K http://animalheroes.naiaonline.org/get-involved/2018-hfah-virtual-5k/
6 TBAALAS Newsletter
Facility: Texas Tech University Health Science Center Experimental Science
Building 2
Job Title: Animal Laboratory Technician
Years in Lab Animal: 4 months
Education and Certifications: B.A. in Communication Studies, working on my
laboratory certifications
Membership: Local? National? Local
How did you get into this field? I had been working as a veterinary technician for over two years, and then graduated with my college
degree. I was looking for a place where I could grow.
Why did you choose to go into the Lab Animal Science field? I am making a difference “behind the scenes”. I found more of a purpose in
lab animal work.
What are your current interests in Lab Animal Science? Learning as much as possible to grow as quickly as possible. As well as, come to
know more about all species in lab animal science.
What do you like most about your job? I know what I am doing matters.
Who are/were your mentors? Sydnee Woodman, Texas Tech ACS facilities manager.
If you had the podium at a speech for public outreach in Animal Science, what would your message be? Promoting the benefits of
biomedical research.
What are your career goals? Laboratory Technologist and beyond.
What advice do you have for others in the field? Study, have the want to continue to learn, and be willing to help, no matter what the
issue.
What companion animals/pets do you have? I have two Labradors, one English yellow and the other an American black. I also have a three-
legged miniature schnauzer mix, and a cinnamon turquoise green cheek conure.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be? World’s strongest man, an Olympian, a firefighter, you name it I probably thought I wanted
to be it!
If you were not in your current position, what would you like to be? I would more than likely be in sales or marketing.
What is one thing that no one knows about you? I played college football.
Favorite quote? “do or do not, there is no try.” - Yoda, “I find your lack of faith disturbing.” - Darth Vader
Favorite movies? Star Wars Saga, All Marvel movies, Fast’n’Furious Saga
Favorite tv shows? Peaky Blinders, Into the Badlands, Another Life, Stranger Things, Band of Brothers
Favorite foods? Jambalaya, Fried Chicken, Catfish, Sushi
What are your hobbies? Weightlifting, Video Games, Reading
When you are not at work, what do you like to do? Spend time with my animals, and outdoors.
Technician Spotlight Henry “Hank” Granda
7 TBAALAS Newsletter
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center—Mickael E Keeling
Victoria Williams – LAT
Keisha Roberts, RLATG [email protected]
713-563-0830
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center—Houston
Keira Powell – ALAT Chetna Patel – LAT Jared Jerger – LAT
Kendra Diehl – LAT Johanna Guio – LATG
Baylor College of Medicine
Lily Le – ALAT Gustavo Galaviz – LAT
8 TBAALAS Newsletter
TBAALAS Board Meeting
TBAALAS Board Meeting, December 6, 2019 1 pm- 2:03 pm – Charles River
Name Role Name Role
Karen Guerra Past - President Adrienne Duran President
Julie Roller President-elect Lindsay Holmes D7 Trustee
Keely McGrew Board Member Sheri Brodie Secretary
Mike Dvorak Board Member Leticia McGuffey Treasurer
Michelle Yacovone Awards Co-chair Mona Jaffari Program Co-Chair 2020
John Donaho Co-Webmaster Eli Rodriquez Program Co -Chair 2020
Paulina Michaud Commercial Liaison Chair Jennifer Volkmann Board Member
Rebecca Blackwood Program Chair 2020 Kelly Gale Nominations/Elections
Kathryn Cavanaugh DFW Metro-coordinator Arturo Barrera Ed. & Training Chair
Joel Ortiz Galveston Metro Coordinator Cynthia Evans Guest
Pat Sikes Historian VelvetLee Finckbone Board Member
Not In Attendance
In Attendance or Attended by Phone
Name Role Name Role
Ryan Byrd Alt D7 Trustee Brian Geyer Commercial Liaison Co-Chair
Lane Watkins Parliamentarian Keisha Roberts Membership Chair
Tocarra Reynolds Membership Co-Chair Chris Rogers Local Arrangements 2020
Jackie Bludworth Nom/Elect Co-Chair Matt Schmit Publications Chair
Christelle Plourde Publications Co-Chair Jamie Greaver TBR Co-Chair
Cordelia Rasa Webmaster Katy Torres Awards Co-Chair
Brittany Fransaw TBR Chair Michelle Johnson Houston Metro-Coordinator
Kim Hildreth San Antonio Metro-Coordinator
Monica Torres Sponsorship Chair
Lane Watkins Parliamentarian Michelle Sager Sponsorships
Christine Safieddine DFW Co-Metro-Coordinator Michael Chandler Panhandle Metro-Coordinator
Oscar Sanchez West Texas Metro-Coordinator
9 TBAALAS Newsletter
Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 1 pm by Adrienne Duran A Quorum was confirmed President Remarks – Adrienne Duran Thanked everyone for attending Keely McGrew will be the TBAALAS representative at the Ben Cohen Management Summit on March 13, 2020 Treasurer’s report- Leticia McGuffey – still working on getting access to Wells Fargo. She will take time to meet with Tressie to get the forms signed. Checking Account: $42,469.83 Savings Account: $34,602.78 Total: $77,075.45 2020 Program– Mona Jaffari/Rebecca Blackwood/Eli Rodriguez – Eli said everything is doing well. Logo winner is working with the graphic artist to improve the logo. Would like to have more posters presentations. Reached out to the vendors for more vendor talks. Extended the deadline for the abstracts to Dec 16, 2019. Three posters presentations, 13 talks including 3 vendor presentations. Dr. Marcel Perret-Gentil has offered to host a 3-hour lecture with a 3 ½ hour wet lab on aseptic surgical technique class. This would not be limited but should all be on one day for Wednesday. The committee will discuss this issue offline. Stacy Leblanc may be doing a leadership workshop. 2020 Local Arrangements- Chris Rodgers – No Report Trustee’s report- Lindsay Holmes/Ryan Byrd – Lindsay reported:
Dr. Cindy Pekow was approved for an additional term as AALAS representative to the International Council on Lab Animal Science to coincide with her presidency of ICLAS
The budget was approved ($6,160,600) as well as language in the financial policies to match what is being done. Combine operating budget & Capital Assets Expenditures
AALAS Foundation new board members were approved; Larry Shelton, Brian Ebert, Erin Straley Revise CMAR Policy & Procedure Manual to add 2 more members and increase committee expenses by
$3000 Approve Participation in American Society of Association Executives survey. This survey will measure
the associations influences on society, work development, education, and the economy. National AALAS members may be asked to fill out the survey.
Committee reports: Awards- Michelle Yacovone/Katy Torres – Michelle reported – She will be submitting the winners to the
board for approval. All nominations have been submitted and she had a deadline of Monday. As soon as she has them she will submit them to the board for approval.
Education/Training- Arturo Barrera/Ryan Byrd - Arturo reported Area Program update -– Art has a conference call with Blinn Vet College to send individuals to the
area program. He will submit for the Pfizer grant. Has two nominees for the Technician Assistance Scholarship to be voted on.
TBR- Brittany Fransaw /Jamie Greaver– No Report Sponsorship – Monica Torres/Michelle Sager – Presented by Adrienne
Proposed Sponsorships & Enrollment Dates: Early Enrollment- December 9th-15th (This enrollment period will be reserved for previous sponsors to renew a sponsorship they had the previous year) Open Enrollment- December 16th-January 16th (This enrollment period is open for all sponsors)
10 TBAALAS Newsletter
Sponsorship Opportunities Amount Sponsorship Opportunities Amount
Program Printing 200 Area Program 200
200 200
200 200
200 200
Meeting Bag 200 Transportation 200
200 200
200 200
200 200
Session Breaks Poster Session 200
Wednesday Afternoon 200 200
Thursday Morning 200 200
Thursday Afternoon 200 200
Friday Morning 200 200
Social Event 200 Awards Banquet 200
200 200
200 200
200 200
200 200
Audio Visual 200 Tech Challenge 200
200
200
200
CMAR Prep Course 200 Lanyards Sponsor provides
200
200
11 TBAALAS Newsletter
Karen motioned to accept the proposed sponsorships and enrollment dates; motion was second by Sheri. The motion was passed.
Commercial Liaison 2019– Paulina Michaud/ Brian Geyer – Paulina reported that the exhibitor pack is ready. She sent it to John, and he will have it posted on the website this afternoon. Have 13 vendors currently. She needs set-up time and tear down times for the vendors.
Metro Coordinators – Galveston: Joel is planning a beach clean-up in the spring. DFE: Kathryn is looking into a network social event for January. She is venue shopping currently.
Publications- Matt Schmit/Christelle Plourde – no report Webmaster – Cordelia Rasa/John Donaho- John reported – He will look at the website to see why the sponsorship link is not
working. Wild Apricot is implementing a payment system of their own which may work for us. If we continue to use PayPal, wild apricot will charge us an extra fee. This will take effect in March. John and Leticia will meet off-line to see if this will work for TBAALAS.
Membership- Keisha Roberts/Tocarra Reynolds – Reported by Adrienne – Currently 731 members, 330 active and 368 lapsed members. Emails will be sent to lapsed members next week.
Nominations/Elections- Kelly Gale/ Jackie Bludworth - Kelly reported - All the nominees have been completed and she is compiling their information. The election will be using e-ballot again this year and they will be setting up the ballot. She hopes to send out to the board for approval by Monday and send out to the membership by Friday. Hopefully the ballot would be open from Dec. 13 th – January 10th.
Legislative/TSBR-Vacant Karen reported – Currently in Congress the FY 2020 Labor-HHS-Education funding bill, which covers the NIH is under discussion. NABR is
asking researchers to send messages to their Senators and Representatives urging the conferees to modify the House language. NABR provided a sample letter on VoterVoice: https://www.votervoice.net/NABR/campaigns/66122/respond. Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, who works closely with White Coat Waste and PETA asked for this report language to be included. A request for action by National and Branch AALAS members is going out to LAC’s from AALAS and sent out by TSBR. Please respond as soon as possible.
NEAVS is currently using the state equivalent to the Federal FOIA to request AAALAC program descriptions and other information Nationwide. Many of the state institutions in Texas have already received the request and are working with their legal department to respond.
Nicole has asked to step down so the board will need to fill this position. Historian—Pat Sikes-
Life and Honorary Memberships – summary sent for newsletter – see below. Working with Cordelia to gain access to hidden website information that she can update and unhide.
These folks qualify for Life members. Updated from last time. Kristina Stephens – Life Member in 2006, Hugh Harroff – Life Member in 2016.
In contact with Kathleen and Dale for 2020. Working on details to make this official. If they can attend, are we waiving their registration for this meeting? Sheri motioned to waive the registration fee for Dale and Kathleen since they are receiving lifetime membership, Julie seconded the motioned. The motioned passed.
Person holding life membership shall have all the privileges of individual membership, are not required to pay annual branch dues, and all branch meeting fees are waived. Life membership awards shall be announced at the annual branch meeting and a certificate awarded. The member shall be listed in the branch directory showing such honor and date bestowed.
Possible Life members list Dale Prince [email protected] Kathleen McKay [email protected] Michelle Leland [email protected] Rick Lee [email protected]
Still active but possible Dale Weiss Stacy LeBlanc Lane Watkins John Donaho Terry Blasdel What is the status of the Honorary Membership for the CPA? This was approved at the last board meeting. He just needs to
register. Long range planning- Karen Guerra – No report Parliamentarian- Lane Watkins – He needs a replacement. The replacements may be Brian Gillman and Valerie Lansford. AALAS Learning Library- Eli Rodriguez – Eli reported that everything is going smoothly. Looking into cost savings by
reducing the number of users. Need to let members know that they need to access the learning library via the TBAALAS website. He will look in to giving a presentation at the meeting.
12 TBAALAS Newsletter
Elected Officers - Board Members and Committee Chairs
President
Adrienne Duran [email protected]
Past President
Karen Guerra, MBA, CMAR, RLATG [email protected]
Secretary
Sheri Brodie, LATG, CMAR [email protected]
Treasurer
Leticia McGuffey [email protected]
President-Elect
Julie Roller [email protected]
Board Members
Keely McGrew [email protected]
Jennifer Volkmann
VelvetLee Finckbone, MS, RLAT [email protected]
Mike Dvorak
District 7 Trustees
Lindsay Holmes, LAT [email protected]
Alt District 7 Trustee
Chris Southern, LATG, CMAR [email protected]
Commercial Liaison
Paulina Michaud [email protected]
Brian Geyer
Parliamentarian
TBD
Historian Chair
Pat Sikes [email protected]
Legislative
TBD
Membership
Keisha Roberts [email protected]
Tocarea Reynolds
Nominations/Elections
Kelly Gale [email protected]
Jacqueline Bludworth
Publications
Matt Schmit, LATG [email protected]
Christelle Plourde [email protected]
Web Master
Cordelia Rasa [email protected]
John Donaho [email protected]
Technician Branch Rep.
Brittany Fransaw [email protected]
Jamie Greaver [email protected]
Long Range Planning
Ryan Byrd, LAT [email protected]
Awards
Michelle Yacovone [email protected]
Katy Torres
Program 2020
Rebecca Blackwood [email protected]
Mona Jaffari [email protected]
Eli Rodriguez [email protected]
Local Arrangements
Chris Rogers [email protected]
Frankie Howell [email protected]
Sponsorships
Michelle Sager [email protected]
Monica Torres [email protected]
Education and Training
Arturo Barrera [email protected]
Ryan Byrd, LAT [email protected]
ALL Coordinator
TBD
Metro Coordinators Houston/
Galveston Michelle Johnson
[email protected] DeShawn Thomas
Metro Coordinators San Antonio
Kim Hildreth [email protected]
Metro Coordinators Central
VACANT
Metro Coordinators Dallas/Ft.
Worth Kathryn Cavanaugh Kathryn.cav [email protected]
Metro Coordinators Texas
Panhandle VelvetLee Finckbone, MS, RLAT [email protected]
Metro Coordinators West Texas
Oscar Sanchez, CMAR [email protected]
Old Business – Vacant positions:
Legislative/TSBR Local Arrangements Co-Chair Metro Coordinators
Central – It was suggested to reevaluate the need for central and maybe merging this group with Houston/Galveston since it is only Texas A&M. Arturo and Kelly will investigate this.
New Business –
VQ USA contacted Adrienne about videotaping our conference. This may cause our attend-ance to go down. There may be issues with presenters not being able to be recorded and this could lead to issues with Animal Rights groups. The board decided to not pur-sue this idea.
Sheri made a motion to adjourn and Keeley seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 2:03 pm.