Skip to main content

Animal Research Facilities 2024 Schedule

    Pre-Conference Events Sunday Sept 29th
    Registration Sign-in/Continental Breakfast for Fundamentals Course

    Registration for the Fundamentals Course attendees.

    7:30 AM - 8:00AM
    Fundamentals of Planning and Design of Animal Research Facilities
    • Jeffrey R Zynda, LEED-AP, BD+C | PerkinsWill
    • Hunter Nezat, AIA, CDT, LEED AP | Perkins&Will
    • Stephen Lahti, PE, LEED AP BD+C | R.G. Vanderweil Engineers, LLP

    What you will learn:
    Participants will come away with a basic understanding of the terminology, concepts, processes, standards, numbers, types of equipment, and furniture (as applicable) involved in the planning and design of animal research labs and support space including related mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. 

    Who should attend:
    This course is designed for those involved in the planning, design, construction, or operation of animal research laboratories including project managers, architects, facility engineers, construction engineers, facility managers, facility planners, biosafety professionals, EH&S personnel, veterinarians, and researchers employed at colleges and universities, medical facilities, pharmaceutical facilities, A/E/C firms, government health centers, and public health labs.

    Space is limited and enrollment is subject to approval.

    Cost:
    $1,300 Fundamentals Course only
    $1,100 with registration to the two-day conference immediately following
    (Fees include course materials, continental breakfast refreshment breaks, and lunch)

    8:00AM - 4:30PM
    Speaker Orientation Meeting & Dinner

    This meeting is intended for presenters only, and is a critical part of the Tradeline program. Your group will be given last minute information on the audience and their special questions as well as project information relative to this topic. Also covered will be conference protocol and audio-visual equipment for presenters, as well as details on the conference schedule. Speakers will receive a full set of conference materials at this time.

    Advanced RSVP Required

    5:45PM - 7:30PM
    Hosted Welcome Reception (Guests Welcome)

    A hosted beer and wine bar along with light snacks will be served.

    Attendees may sign-in and pick up their registration materials here, or the next morning at the conference ballroom foyer.

    Guests welcome.

    7:30PM - 8:30PM
    Monday, Sept 30th
    Registration Sign-in/Continental Breakfast
    8:00AM - 8:30AM
    Exhibit Booths Open
    8:00AM - 5:45PM
    Plenary Sessions 8:30AM - 9:30AM
    Maximizing “Plan B”: Bridging the gap to new animal facilities
    • Ronald P. Wilson, V.M.D., M.S., DACLAM | Penn State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
    • Duncan H McIlvaine, AIA, NCARB | Penn State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

    Demand for animal space is spiking now. When “new building” dreams are put on hold, what quick-turnaround options can deliver the capacity that expanding programs need? Ron Wilson and Duncan McIlvaine illustrate opportunities, decision making criteria, and tradeoffs for densification and capacity increase strategies at Penn State College of Medicine. They examine cascading impacts to consider, short-term and long-term solutions, pain points, and what is working. They detail space conversions, equipment and infrastructure requirements, design and operating considerations, and development of a strategic renovation plan.

    8:40AM - 9:05AM
    Cage wash staffing benchmarks: How does your operation stack up?
    • Nirah Shomer, DVM PhD DACLAM | Shomer Consulting Services
    • Bruce W. Kennedy, MS RLATG CMAR CPIA EdD | UC Santa Cruz IACUC Administrator

    How many cage wash staff are needed to support an animal facility with a given census?  What equipment upgrades and operational changes were perceived to most improve injury rates, staff retention, and washing capacity to support expanding institutional rodent census? Nirah Shomer and Bruce Kennedy present survey results and metrics on the current state of cage wash facilities including data on staffing numbers and models, workload, types and numbers of washing equipment, the biggest bottlenecks and barriers to smooth operations, and efficiency-minded upgrade and renovation trends from the last five years. Don’t miss this opportunity to benchmark your cagewash operations against industry leaders.

    9:05AM - 9:30AM
    Refreshment Break 9:35AM - 9:55AM
    Plenary Sessions 9:55AM - 10:50AM
    Strategies for boosting workforce engagement, job satisfaction, and productivity in the lean vivarium
    • Gerry Cronin | Massachusetts General Hospital
    • Steven LaMacchia | Massachusetts General Hospital

    Lean vivarium operations depend on engaged, enthusiastic, and efficiency-minded employees -- and many organizations took a big hit on that front during the pandemic. Here you’ll see how Massachusetts General Hospital is bouncing back, building morale, and returning to the business of improving vivarium space use and efficient workflows. Gerry Cronin and Steven LaMacchia set out findings from MGH and the Vivarium Operational Excellence Network for turning the tedium of husbandry into fun team-based activities, engaging front-line workers in daily problem solving, and navigating a multi-generational workforce. They chart the improvements over the last three years in terms of job satisfaction, productivity, and process improvement.

    9:55AM - 10:20AM
    High-ROI facility upgrades for staff wellbeing, research quality, and retention
    • Sally Thompson-Iritani, DVM, PhD | University of Washington

    Vivarium upgrades aimed at improving employee engagement and wellbeing don’t have to break the bank; moderate investments in space, design, and infrastructure can yield big impacts. Sally Thompson-Iritani chronicles how UW and other organizations have worked to support “compassionate resiliency” in vivarium space interventions emphasizing the human wellbeing impacts on research quality and worker retention. She illustrates steps taken to ease mental fatigue, create spaces for collaboration and program development, and improve the physical environment’s ability to respond to the highs and lows of the human/animal bond. She scopes out what’s required in terms of time, effort, and budget.

    10:25AM - 10:50AM
    Refreshment Break 10:55AM - 11:10AM
    Concurrent Sessions 11:10AM - 12:05PM
    Forum A: Multi-phase animal facilities: Lessons learned, enhancements, and caveats
    • Norman K Burdzel | Jackson Laboratory
    • Rohit Saxena | Page

    Large-scale mouse facilities built in phases over time can be a double-edged sword: Each subsequent phase allows for iterative improvements incorporating technology advancements, evolving best practices, and lessons learned, but at the risk of study disruptions, infrastructure complexity, and consistency of maintenance and operational models. Session leaders illustrate how phased construction has played out for The Jackson Laboratory’s four-phased barrier facility in Ellsworth, Maine. They set out top planning and design considerations for process areas and MEP system expansion, strategies for maintaining consistency of products and systems, and solutions for mitigating the effects of noise. They relate feedback from facility operators which contributed to design refinements in each phase.

    Forum B: Maximizing the value proposition of cage wash automation: A comprehensive approach
    • Hunter Nezat, AIA, CDT, LEED AP | Perkins&Will
    • Rhys Davis, PE, LEED AP | WSP

    Presented at this time only.

    Too often ROI calculations for cage wash automation begin and end with throughput and labor efficiency – but there are order-of-magnitude cascading effects that research organizations must consider in a more comprehensive value proposition or risk falling behind. Session leaders provide a fresh perspective on modernized cage wash workflows and the larger organizational impacts of competitiveness, cost reduction, sustainability, workforce retention, and more nimble and adaptive workflows allowing the organization to respond to changing program priorities. They provide a template for building the business case more holistically for cage wash automation with an all-in cost/benefit analysis.

    Forum C: Continuous cage environment monitoring: Improve reproducibility, detect disruptive facility activities
    • Jeremy G Turner | Turner Scientific

    Presented at this time only.

    One contributing factor to the study reproducibility crisis may be variability of environmental factors in animal facilities. This session examines technology that enables the measurement and documenting of environmental variables and events that humans might otherwise miss – ultrasonic noise, vibration, temperature, humidity, light, as well as impacts from staff activity and construction and renovation projects. Jeremy Turner illustrates the use of Sensory Sentinel cages for both ongoing daily and project-specific scopes to detect and mitigate study disruptions and improve animal welfare. He provides case studies, implementation strategies and technical requirements, and examines the results being achieved.

    Hosted Lunch 12:05PM - 1:05PM
    Lunch Hosted by Strobic Air Technologies

    Lunch hosted by Strobic Air Technologies

    Concurrent Sessions 1:10PM - 2:05PM
    Forum D: Research precincts: Capital-aligned renovation strategies for growth in existing footprints
    • Ronald P. Wilson, V.M.D., M.S., DACLAM | Penn State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
    • Duncan H McIlvaine, AIA, NCARB | Penn State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
    • Mike Mottet, LEED AP | HDR
    • Kevin Jelinek, ASLA, LEED AP | HDR

    Demand for animal resources and shared core facilities is up, but capital resources are strained; Master planning for research needs and facility assets has never been more critical. Session leaders use a case study from Penn State University to illustrate facility use and condition data gathering, user group input, and research growth projections to establish a practical short- and long-term phased program growth roadmap. They detail a series of renovation initiatives, leveraging new equipment capabilities, updated space use models, and temporary housing options. They illustrate how to prioritize projects, and implementation methods that minimize program impacts.

    Forum E: Digital technologies: The performance enabler for animal research facility effectiveness and sustainability
    • Paul Fuson | Siemens Life Science

    Presented at this time only.

    Increasing demands for capacity, energy use reduction, effective research methods, and recruitment continues to raise the bar for animal research facility operating efficiency. Digitalization is the way forward to reach the performance levels required and, in this session, Paul Fuson demonstrates how to push energy efficiency, asset, and space utilization even further, and meet physical and cyber security demands through sophisticated research environment management tools. He profiles applications of digital technologies to unlock new data insights from the cage to the penthouse and identify operating improvement opportunities, and to navigate the relationship between the built environment and facility users.

    Forum F: Reducing vivarium CO2e emissions: New criteria for IVC caging and equipment decisions
    • Jeremy Jenson | Innovive

    Presented at this time only.

    Sustainability and CO2e emissions reduction have risen on the priority list for all  research organizations. In this session  we look at facility operations and caging options and discuss  the tradeoffs made in achieving those goals. Session leaders will track the lifecycle of a cage and highlight the equipment decision points, ramifications, and results that contribute to or detract from CO2e emission reduction. They examine the impacts from caging design and material use, transportation, in-facility use, and end-of-life processes, and the relative impacts of products and processes on a facility’s carbon footprint.

    Refreshment Break 2:05PM - 2:20PM
    Concurrent Sessions 2:20PM - 3:15PM
    Forum G: Incorporating new behavioral approaches for more efficient & effective animal facilities
    • Jeffrey R Zynda, LEED-AP, BD+C | PerkinsWill
    • John J Hasenau, DVM, DACLAM | Lab Animal Consultants

    Have tradition, design replication, rules of thumb, and metrics from a different technology era been unnecessarily limiting the efficiency of animal facilities and driving up costs? Jeff Zynda and John Hasenau look at recent data from legacy designs and how new models can deliver improvements in study reproducibility, space efficiency, and cost by shedding outdated concepts. They assess opportunities stemming from advances in micro vs. macro environments, dusk to dawn lighting, temperature, and color, acoustics and RF/EMI interference, environment monitoring, animal observations, and interactions. They provide answers for commonly-raised concerns when adopting next-gen solutions in risk-averse organizations.

    Forum H: Case Study: Northwestern University's shift to automation in cage wash
    • Tamra Whittenberg | Northwestern University
    • Mike Mottet, LEED AP | HDR
    • Ben Chapman | Allentown, LLC

    Presented at this time only.

    Join this enlightening panel for key findings and lessons learned from Northwestern University's switch to cage wash automation. Speakers chart the critical labor and throughput requirements needed to double rodent cage capacity, and the data used to overcome management and cost hurdles. They profile feasibility study and upgrade processes, timelines, and swing space solutions, and common problems to watch for. They illustrate the efficiency and effectiveness outcomes of cage wash transformation in terms of space use, fostering collaborative work environments, prioritizing staff health and safety, and supporting research program expansion initiatives.

    Forum I: Better animal facility project outcomes through listener-centric communications
    • Robert Tierney | Animal Care Systems Inc.

    Presented at this time only.

    Achieving better project outcomes with the exceptionally diverse set of stakeholders and personalities involved in animal research facility initiatives – from cage wash operators to designers and PIs – requires next-level communication strategies and tools that you’ll see demonstrated in this session. Robert Tierney illustrates the art of listener-centric communications with a deep dive into personality profiles and conversation dynamics, and provides examples of applications in vivarium construction and renovation projects. He examines how to start shifting project stakeholder mindsets, and the use of “learn and confirm” and “confirm and clarify promises” tools to transform project interactions.

    Refreshment Break 3:15PM - 3:45PM
    Plenary Sessions 3:45PM - 4:40PM
    LED lighting for vivaria: Should you make the switch?
    • Norman K Burdzel | Jackson Laboratory
    • Karen Murphy, LC IALD LEED AP | HDR

    The Jackson Laboratory made the decision to adopt LED lighting in their Ellsworth barrier facility during the final phases of construction. Here you’ll see what had changed from initial project conception to drive that decision, and key considerations for design, construction, implementation, and validation going forward. Norm Burdzel and Karen Murphy examine how to evaluate LED technology’s impact on animal welfare, equipment selection and control strategy considerations, and what’s to be gained in terms of life cycle cost savings and energy efficiency.

    3:45PM - 4:10PM
    Next-generation multispecies NHP research complex raises the bar for welfare, capacity, efficiency
    • Blake Harrington | Texas Biomedical Research Institute
    • Mike Merz | Texas Biomedical Research Institute

    The newest NHP breeding/holding complex at Texas Biomedical Research Institute exemplifies the latest solutions for regulatory compliance, animal and worker welfare, space utilization, flexibility and operating efficiencies. Mike Merz and Blake Harrington discuss the highly collaborative undertaking that tapped the expertise of national project professionals, as well as the over 70 years of NHP experience on this Texas research campus. How did big issues such as the national shortage of animal models in testing diagnostics, therapies and vaccines translate into scope and budget decisions – all while new opportunities for innovation were being identified? They profile cutting-edge advances in enrichment and resiliency, as well as the ability to partner with outside organizations for research programs and operations funding.

    4:15PM - 4:45PM
    Reception 4:45PM - 5:45PM
    Reception Hosted by Siemens (Guests Welcome)

    Reception hosted by Siemens

    (Guests welcome)

    4:45PM - 5:45PM
    Tuesday, Oct 1st
    Exhibit Booths Open
    7:15AM - 3:40PM
    Hosted Breakfast

    Courtesy of Tradeline

    7:15AM - 8:00AM
    Concurrent Sessions 8:05AM - 9:00AM
    Forum G: Incorporating new behavioral approaches for more efficient & effective animal facilities
    • Jeffrey R Zynda, LEED-AP, BD+C | PerkinsWill
    • John J Hasenau, DVM, DACLAM | Lab Animal Consultants

    Have tradition, design replication, rules of thumb, and metrics from a different technology era been unnecessarily limiting the efficiency of animal facilities and driving up costs? Jeff Zynda and John Hasenau look at recent data from legacy designs and how new models can deliver improvements in study reproducibility, space efficiency, and cost by shedding outdated concepts. They assess opportunities stemming from advances in micro vs. macro environments, dusk to dawn lighting, temperature, and color, acoustics and RF/EMI interference, environment monitoring, animal observations, and interactions. They provide answers for commonly-raised concerns when adopting next-gen solutions in risk-averse organizations.

    Forum J: Discussion: Operational considerations for ramping up robotics in animal facilities
    • Michele Cunneen, BA LATG | Animal Research Consulting LLC
    • Mark Fallon | Hunneman

    Presented at this time only.

    Robotics at various scales is coming to your animal research facility, and this interactive discussion group examines what that will mean for costs, staffing strategies, space use, and uptime. Session leaders project a future of small industrial robots, what is already here and what is coming soon at affordable prices with the flexibility required for use in older animal facilities. They draw out experiences from session participants on implementation roadblocks and solutions, operating surprises, and lessons learned that will equip and inform strategies on robotics adoption, expansion, and maintenance.

    Refreshment Break 9:00AM - 9:15AM
    Plenary Sessions 9:15AM - 10:10AM
    Resiliency put to the test: Facility design, equipment, and preparedness findings
    • Mary T Spencer, BS, RLATg | Brigham and Women's Hospital
    • Renee L Thompson, BS, RLATg | Brigham and Women's Hospital

    In 2023 Brigham and Women’s Hospital Center for Comparative Medicine experienced the most severe flooding events in the program’s history, prompting an immediate, multifaceted response to protect animals, staff, and the future of critical research endeavors. Renee Thompson and Mary Spencer deliver lessons learned and recommendations that will equip other organizations to prevent, prepare, mitigate, and respond efficiently to emergencies. They identify critical facility design elements that saved the day, and the equipment, storage, and swing space needs to plan for. They detail innovative processes, operational and administrative measures to put in place for disaster management and research impact mitigation.

    9:15AM - 9:40AM
    Findings on ABSL-3 facility utilization and program adaptability
    • Hannah Payne Walker, MPH, LATg | University of Georgia Animal Health Research Center

    Repurposing underutilized ABSL-3 space is an attractive option for creating industry partnerships and increasing revenue, but there are easily overlooked facility, equipment, and operating requirements that will determine success. Hannah Walker sets out University of Georgia’s lessons learned on real-world facility adaptability from retrofitting an ABSL-3 lab for industry use including findings on construction, utilities, sample handling, and space allocations for anterooms and showers. She illustrates what an all-in cost/benefit analysis looks like factoring in capital and operating costs, and when this type of initiative actually makes sense for all stakeholders.

    9:45AM - 10:10AM
    Refreshment Break 10:10AM - 10:35AM
    Concurrent Sessions 10:35AM - 11:30AM
    Forum K: Veterinary Diagnostic Labs: Next-gen efficient operating models and design concepts
    • Jim Chen, LEED AP BD+C | Perkins&Will

    Presented at this time only.

    Many Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratories face operational challenges stemming from aging facilities, which can create biosafety risks and hamper testing efficacy and turnaround time. This session delivers planning and design lessons learned from the latest generation of facilities with a view to optimizing operations. Using multiple recent case studies, Jim Chen illustrates criteria and best practices for sample receiving/processing and testing workflows, circulation strategies that improve biosecurity/biosafety, optimized animal handling and necropsy, and BSL3 containment lab programming. Attend this session to make more informed facility decisions when developing specific program requirements.

    Forum L: New best–in–class NHP breeding and housing space for multiple species
    • Blake Harrington | Texas Biomedical Research Institute
    • Mike Merz | Texas Biomedical Research Institute
    • Rachel Nelan, AIA, LEED AP | Flad Architects

    Presented at this time only.

    Here you’ll see how decades of insight from veterinarians, animal care staff, and behaviorists were gleaned and translated into housing, breeding, and growth solutions that are safe, enduring, fun, and support the wellbeing and natural behaviors of NHPs. Presenters examine design and operating challenges that were overcome while maintaining 24/7 choice for animals including indoors/outdoors accessibility, as well as socialization and family group options. They highlight what’s been provided to enable animal care staff observation of breeding and research, and efficient workspace for wellness checks and minor health procedures.

    Forum M: Workplace wellbeing programs: Trials, triumphs, lessons learned, next steps.
    • Elise Trowel, DVM | Tufts University
    • Catherine Foley, DVM | Tufts University

    Presented at this time only.

    Workplace wellbeing is being prioritized by leading organizations to increase employee satisfaction, engagement, productivity, and retention, but the animal research context is one of the most challenging environments to launch new initiatives in this area. Here you’ll see the workplace wellbeing journey that Tufts University has embarked on for its vivarium workers, both the rewards and the challenges encountered along the way. Session leaders deliver findings on launching a new program including gathering feedback, tailoring activities and offering, discovering different domains of wellbeing, low effort/high reward activities, and finding times and options for maximum engagement.

    Refreshment Break 11:30AM - 11:45AM
    Concurrent Sessions 11:45AM - 12:40PM
    Forum N: Vivarium automation options delivering cost, sustainability, efficiency improvements
    • Guido Gottardo | Tecniplast
    • Fabio Mazzucchelli | Tecniplast
    • Dan Diehl | Aircuity Inc.

    Presented at this time only.

    Today the path to “leveling up” vivarium operations starts with automation, and this session delivers cost/benefit comparisons for the latest solutions aimed at cost savings, labor efficiency, sustainability and decarbonization, and animal and human welfare. Session leaders examine automation innovations ranging in scope from the cage to whole buildings and illustrate how pressures on programs and budgets are being relieved. They illustrate how AI-optimized cleaning schedules, robotic washing systems, automated guided vehicles, and dynamic ventilation are transforming animal research facilities, and they provide case studies, implementation strategies, and lessons learned.

    Forum O: Doors and Floors: Lessons learned on these critical components of research environments
    • Michael O'Rourke | Dortek
    • Tony Dalpos | Life Science Products, Inc.

    Presented at this time only.

    Don’t gloss over decisions on door design and flooring materials in your vivarium construction and renovation projects – these two components can make or break successful operations. Session leaders examine what’s been learned and where the industry is heading that will influence door and flooring decisions, including “smart doors,” automation, new international standards, and best practices. They chart advantages for space use and operating efficiency, and identify legacy practices being phased out as research organizations demand further improvements in maintenance requirements and operating cost reduction. They provide a cost/benefit analysis of different floor and door options, and deliver renovation and installation strategies that minimize disruption and facility downtime and maintain research environment integrity.

    Hosted Lunch 12:40PM - 1:40PM
    Concurrent Sessions 1:45PM - 2:40PM
    Forum A: Multi-phase animal facilities: Lessons learned, enhancements, and caveats
    • Norman K Burdzel | Jackson Laboratory
    • Rohit Saxena | Page

    Large-scale mouse facilities built in phases over time can be a double-edged sword: Each subsequent phase allows for iterative improvements incorporating technology advancements, evolving best practices, and lessons learned, but at the risk of study disruptions, infrastructure complexity, and consistency of maintenance and operational models. Session leaders illustrate how phased construction has played out for The Jackson Laboratory’s four-phased barrier facility in Ellsworth, Maine. They set out top planning and design considerations for process areas and MEP system expansion, strategies for maintaining consistency of products and systems, and solutions for mitigating the effects of noise. They relate feedback from facility operators which contributed to design refinements in each phase.

    Forum D: Research precincts: Capital-aligned renovation strategies for growth in existing footprints
    • Ronald P. Wilson, V.M.D., M.S., DACLAM | Penn State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
    • Duncan H McIlvaine, AIA, NCARB | Penn State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
    • Mike Mottet, LEED AP | HDR
    • Kevin Jelinek, ASLA, LEED AP | HDR

    Demand for animal resources and shared core facilities is up, but capital resources are strained; Master planning for research needs and facility assets has never been more critical. Session leaders use a case study from Penn State University to illustrate facility use and condition data gathering, user group input, and research growth projections to establish a practical short- and long-term phased program growth roadmap. They detail a series of renovation initiatives, leveraging new equipment capabilities, updated space use models, and temporary housing options. They illustrate how to prioritize projects, and implementation methods that minimize program impacts.

    Refreshment Break 2:40PM - 2:55PM
    Concluding Session 2:55PM - 3:40PM
    Town Hall Knowledge Roundup
    • Derek Westfall | Tradeline, Inc.
    • Rohit Saxena | Page
    • Rachel Nelan, AIA, LEED AP | Flad Architects

    This end-of-day session is where key ideas, new developments, and findings that have been revealed over the course of the entire two-day conference (including sessions you may have missed) get clarified, expanded upon, and affirmed or debated. This is also the opportunity to get answers from industry leaders and the entire audience to specific questions on key and challenging issues.  

    2:55PM - 3:40PM
    Conference Adjourns 3:40PM