Publisher’s Note

One Last Time

As I sat down to begin writing this final Publisher’s Note, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for my tenure here at AALAS. Since starting in 2001, I have seen consistent growth in the face of various challenges with this organization, and I feel an immense sense of pride in the work that I and many others have done to advance the laboratory animal science field. As the final months of my time here are coming to a close, I have taken the time to look back and reflect.

When I started here, I felt ready. My education and experience had prepared me well. However, six weeks into my position, our great nation was attacked on September 11. For a moment, I panicked, wondering how this would permanently alter the world we knew and loved. How would security look? What about travel? We had the National Meeting in six weeks, and almost everyone planned to fly. Nevertheless, we all persevered and held our National Meeting in the scheduled city. I was confident that if I could make it through this, I could make it through anything. In the following years, we had continued success with our meetings, but when Covid reared its ugly head at the start of 2020, I remembered that we had done it before, and we could do it again.

And that we did, each and every year I’ve been here. Our association has achieved such great heights throughout the years by working together and keeping our common goal in mind. I truly believe in our mission and that our work helps make the world a better place for both humans and animals, and I will always be grateful to you all for you playing your part. Working for this association is one of the biggest honors of my life.

The National Meeting was phenomenal for me. I love speaking with people from all over and getting to know them, and I really enjoyed renewing my friendships with past presidents and branch leaders. Many people came to the Front Porch. I got to see many people I have worked with in leadership; however, the most heartwarming were the people who started off with, “You probably don’t remember me, but I met you one year at our branch meeting, and you changed my life.” Most people don’t get the chance to meet people whom they have influenced in that way, and I was fortunate enough to meet so many!

AALAS, it has been an honor, and I loved every minute of it. I am truly blessed.

Ann Turner

Publisher Executive Director American Association for Laboratory Animal Science

Staff

Publisher Ann Turner Associate Publisher Chris Lyons Managing Editor John Farrar Associate Editor Morgan McCloud Ad Sales John Farrar Design/Production Zara Garza

Editorial Advisory Board

Andrew Burich Benaroya Research Institute Bob Dauchy Tulane Univ School of Medicine David DeOrnellis Champions Oncology Penny Devlin Pennsylvania State Univ College of Med Sonia Doss Duke Univ Medical Center Kelly Ethun Emory University Glenn Jackson Cornell University Richard Marble NAMSA Elizabeth Nunamaker Charles River Laboratories Sara Oglesby AbbVie Inc. Jane Olin Edwards Lifesciences Karuna Patil Seattle Children's Research Institute Amy Pierce Tulane Univ School of Medicine Stacy Pritt UT Southwestern Medical Center Robin Tucker Georgetown Univ

Mission Statement

Laboratory Animal Science Professional (LAS Pro) is the official magazine for American Association for Laboratory Animal Science members. LAS Pro provides a wide range of useful resources and knowledge to the association’s 14,000 laboratory animal science professionals who are involved in advancing responsible laboratory animal care and use to benefit people and animals. All signed articles, including, committee reports, news, and commentary, reflect the individual views of the authors and are not official views of AALAS. Authorization to photocopy portions for personal or internal use is granted by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. Photocopying for purposes of resale or outside distribution is prohibited unless written approval is obtained from the AALAS Director of Communications.

Copyright 2022 by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. Laboratory Animal Science Professional (USPS 010-730) is published bimonthly by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 9190 Crestwyn Hills Drive, Memphis, TN 38125. Periodicals Postage paid at Memphis, TN 38101 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AALAS, 9190 Crestwyn Hills Drive, Memphis, TN 38125-8538.

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science

9190 Crestwyn Hills Drive Memphis, TN 38125-8538 Phone: 901-754-8620 Fax: 901-753-0046 E-mail: info@aalas.org Web: www.aalas.org