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Description
The use of animals in science (for example, research, regulatory purposes, or teaching) is a controversial topic. Concerns surround animals’ sentience, any harms that might be caused to them, and whether those harms are ethically justified. Any institutions that conduct research with animals should employ the 3Rs principles of refinement, reduction, and replacement to improve the design of animal research protocols and enhance animal welfare.
In this five-module course, the 3Rs Collaborative (3RsC) will introduce you to key information about, and tools to use, the 3Rs of animal research. The goal is to empower you to make a difference for animals in science by enhancing animal welfare, reducing the total animal numbers while ensuring scientific validity, and replacing animals with scientifically valid alternatives.
As a bearer of this 3Rs Certificate, you can be a champion for the 3Rs and help our field make continual forward progress in humane science.
Audience
IACUC Members, Scientists, Students, Technicians, Veterinarians, or anyone interested in the 3Rs
Meet the Authors
Natalie Bratcher-Petersen, MS – Digital In Vivo Alliance/ TLR Ventures
Natalie Bratcher-Petersen manages the Digital In Vivo Alliance, a precompetitive consortium uniting pharmaceutical industry leaders, innovative biotech entities, and public sector representatives advancing digital measures for preclinical in vivo research through their development, validation, adoption, and regulatory acceptance.
Sylvie Cloutier, PhD – Canadian Council on Animal Care
Dr. Sylvie Cloutier is an Associate Director of Assessment at the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC). She previously researched applied ethology and welfare at Washington State University, pioneering the use of tickling for laboratory rat handling practices. She serves on the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Welfare Committee.
Brianna Gaskill, PhD – Novartis Biomedical Research
Dr. Gaskill received her PhD in Animal Behavior and Well-Being from Purdue University and completed a postdoctoral position at Charles River. She joined the Purdue faculty in 2014 and was awarded tenure in 2020. She is currently employed at Novartis as their 3Rs scientist.
Megan LaFollette, MS, PhD – The 3Rs Collaborative
Dr. Megan LaFollette is Executive Director at The 3Rs Collaborative where she advances better science, for both people and animals. She received her PhD and Master of Science in Animal Behavior & Welfare from Purdue University. She is an expert in advancing implementation of practical, impactful, and evidence-based 3Rs techniques.
Elizabeth Nunamaker, DVM, PhD, MS, DACLAM, DACAW – The 3Rs Collaborative
Dr. Elizabeth Nunamaker earned her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Michigan and her DVM degree from Purdue University. She is also boarded by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine and the American College of Animal Welfare. Dr. Nunamaker is a past president of the 3Rs Collaborative.
Sally Thompson-Iritani, DVM, PhD, CPIA, CHABP, CCFP, CFE – University of Washington
Sally Thompson-Iritani, DVM/PhD, is the Assistant Vice Provost for Animal Care, Outreach, and 3Rs at the University of Washington’s Office of Research. She emphasizes the 3Rs principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) and serves as President of the 3Rs Collaborative, Chair of the Roundtable on Science and Welfare, and Vice-Chair for USARO.
Erin Vogelsong, MS, CMAR, LATG – Drexel University
Erin has over 24 years of experience in laboratory animal science (including industry and academia). She is currently the program director for the Master of Laboratory Animal Science (MLAS) program at Drexel University. She enjoys community outreach and helping lab animal professionals achieve their goals.
Lauren Young, MSc – The 3Rs Collaborative
Lauren Young has a background in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. She completed her MSc in 2024 at the University of Guelph, Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare, investigating laboratory animal behaviour. Lauren began as an intern with The 3Rs Collaborative in 2021, and has been Program Manager since 2024.
