What happens when you switch to environmental health monitoring and uncover a pathogen you have never seen? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Lauren Habenicht, Senior Clinical Veterinarian and Associate Professor of Pathology at the University of Colorado Anschutz, to unpack the real-world realities of detecting and responding to Pneumocystis murina. In our conversation, Dr. Habenicht shares the story behind her recent paper, 'Detection and Remediation of Pneumocystis murina Infections by Environmental Health Monitoring,' including why her institution moved away from soiled bedding sentinels, and how rack-level exhaust dust and targeted follow-up sampling changed what pathogens they could detect. Through the lens of three case studies, Dr. Habenicht also walks through confirmation strategies, interpreting PCR copy numbers, distinguishing between true infections and environmental contamination, and practical remediation options for navigating the unexpected. Tune in for a clear, evidence-based framework for optimising monitoring programs and protecting today's complex immunocompromised and "immune-vague" mouse colonies with Dr. Lauren Habenicht!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Meet Dr. Lauren Habenicht and hear how she went from music to lab animal medicine.
• Hear who contributed to the paper, their respective roles, and how they worked together.
• Why the shift to environmental health monitoring changed pathogen detection approaches.
• Find out what P. murina is and why it behaves as an opportunistic respiratory pathogen.
• What "immune-vague" means and why modern mouse models can be hard to categorise.
• Explore the testing structure and how rack engineering enables sampling for pathogens.
• Case study 1: how sampling protocol identified a single affected strain across multiple cages.
• Case study 2: discover how rack testing led to a single positive cage with unclear origin.
• Case study 3: explore how false-positives manifest due to environmental contamination.
• The value of environmental monitoring and why PCR copy cannot rule out false-postitives.
• Unpack what remains unknown about true clearance versus suppression P. murina.
• Advice on how to improve the detection and remediation of P. murina in colonies.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Dr. Lauren Habenicht

Dr. Lauren Habenicht on LinkedIn

University of Colorado Anschutz

'Detection and Remediation of Pneumocystis murina Infections by Environmental Health Monitoring'American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)

AALAS Learning Library

Email AALAS

Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JAALAS)The LASt Word: An AALAS Podcast

What really happens to a pig's bloodwork once under anesthesia, and how much do those changes matter for your studies? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. McKayla Carlson, clinical veterinarian at Nationwide Children's Hospital, to unpack her recent paper, 'Effect of Anesthesia on Hematologic Parameters of Female Domestic Swine.' First, Dr. Carlson shares her path into laboratory animal medicine and the clinical case of a Göttingen mini pig named Gertie that inspired the paper. Then, we walk through the design of the study, its key findings, and the mechanisms that may explain the observed results. They also explore the limitations of current reference intervals and how factors such as sex, breed, and induction choice could alter results and interpretations. Join us to rethink what "safe" anesthesia really means for hematologic data in swine and how more informed protocols can support better animal care and better science with Dr. McKayla Carlson. Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Hear how Dr. Carlson's early research experiences led her into comparative medicine.
• Find out about the team behind the paper and each team member's role in the study.
• How a clinical case involving a Göttingen mini pig named Gertie inspired the study.
• Why pre-analytic, analytic, and post-analytic variables are crucial for interpreting CBC results.
• The design of the study and the two different induction protocols used.
• Gain an overview of the study's results and unexpected findings.
• Insights into the possible mechanisms behind the changes observed in the study.
• Unpack the limitations of the study and what future studies should consider.
• Explore the broader implications of anesthesia and why it is not "benign."
• Dr. Carlson shares her recommendations for interpreting results from anesthetized animals.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Dr. McKayla Carlson on LinkedIn

Nationwide Children's Hospital

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)

'Effect of Anesthesia on Hematologic Parameters of Female Domestic Swine'American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)

AALAS Learning Library

Email AALAS

Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JAALAS)The LASt Word: An AALAS Podcast

Refinement starts before the experiment! In this episode of The Last Word podcast, Dr. Reid Landes, Professor of Biostatistics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, discusses his paper 'More Power for Less Money: Statistical, Power, and Cost Analyses That Account for Intracluster Correlation in Experiments with Same-Group Cage Mates'. Dr. Landes explains why accounting for intracluster correlation—when animals housed in the same cage are more similar than those in different cages—is essential for accurate results and adherence to the Three Rs of animal welfare, particularly refinement. He shares how using more cages with fewer animals per cage can improve statistical power, reduce animal use, and lower costs, and why aligning your statistical analysis plan with your experimental design from the start is critical. Tune in to learn how thoughtful design leads to more ethical, efficient, and reliable animal research.

Key Points From This Episode:

• We are introduced to today's guest and the topic of conversation.
• Dr. Landes' education and career journey: from math teacher to statistician.
• The impetus for getting his paper out there.
• The three Rs of animal welfare.
• What they aimed to accomplish with the paper: the statistics of same-group cage mates.
• He dives into the concept of intracluster correlation.
• Dr. Landes unpacks some examples of what readers might see in the paper.
• He sheds light on the degree of acceptance from the research community on his idea of looking into intracluster variation.
• How to approach measuring intracluster correlation.
• He explains how statistical analysis should flow from experiment design.
• Why more cages with fewer animals per cage is a more powerful experiment.
• The importance of proper planning from the very beginning.
• Dr. Landes introduces listeners to JASP: free open-source software for non-statisticians.
• His advice to other researchers: make sure your statistical analysis plan aligns with your experiment design.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Dr. Reid Landes on LinkedIn

'More Power for Less Money: Statistical, Power, and Cost Analyses That Account for Intracluster Correlation in Experiments with Same-Group Cage Mates'

JASP Software

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)

AALAS Learning Library

Email AALAS

Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JAALAS)The LASt Word: An AALAS Podcast

How do researchers ensure the most humane approach is taken when working with neonatal mice? In this episode, Dr. Ning-Kit (Kit) Tang, clinical veterinarian at the University of California, San Francisco, shares insights from her JAALAS paper, Hypothermia as a Sole Euthanasia Method for Neonatal Mice. Her paper explores whether prolonged cold exposure can serve as a humane and effective euthanasia technique for neonatal mice. Kit reflects on her path from UC Davis student to newly board-certified laboratory veterinarian, and shares how curiosity and compassion sparked her investigation into this sensitive topic. She walks listeners through her pilot study design, findings on age-dependent responses to hypothermia, and the importance of balancing animal welfare with operator well-being. Kit also discusses how expanding humane euthanasia options can help reduce compassion fatigue and improve training across research programs. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation bridging science, ethics, and care in laboratory animal medicine.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming today's guest, Dr. Ning-Kit (Kit) Tang.
• How her early work in mouse biology sparked her passion for lab animal medicine.
• What inspired her paper on Hypothermia as a Sole Euthanasia Method for Neonatal Mice.
• How mentorship and teamwork helped shape her residency research project.
• The welfare challenges surrounding euthanasia methods for neonatal mice.
• Her study's hypothesis: Can hypothermia be a sole euthanasia method?
• Pilot study findings comparing freezer, fridge, and ice-water exposure on two age groups.
• Reflections on compassion fatigue and operator well-being in euthanasia practices.
• Study limitations and opportunities for future research, including stress response observation.
• Final advice: provide multiple humane options and empower staff to choose.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Ning-Kit Tang on LinkedIn

'Hypothermia as a Sole Euthanasia Method for Neonatal Mice'

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)

AALAS Learning Library

Email AALAS

Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JAALAS)The LASt Word: An AALAS Podcast

Are common laboratory doses of carprofen suitable for marmosets? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ekaterina Perminov, DVM, DACLAM to discuss her latest research on whether carprofen, a commonly used NSAID for pain relief, reaches effective levels in marmosets and the possible adverse side effects. Dr. Perminov is a Clinical Veterinarian at UC Irvine. She obtained her veterinary degree from Western University of Health Sciences and completed her laboratory animal training at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. In our conversation, Dr. Perminov shares her journey into laboratory animal medicine, her early work with axolotls, and her experience being the first lab animal medicine resident at the Salk Institute. Dr. Perminov unpacks how she was able to identify the gaps in opioid research, the design and results of her study, and why her findings were surprising. We explore what the findings mean for analgesic protocols, why marmosets have become 'biomedical supermodels,' and the importance of multimodal approaches for pain management. Join us to discover the challenges and opportunities of working with marmosets, why analgesic care for research primates is essential, and what future research should focus on with Dr. Ekaterina Perminov!

Key Points From This Episode:

• How regenerative medical research with axolotls led her toward laboratory animal medicine.
• Background about her team at Salk and what each person was responsible for in the study.
• Why she regards marmosets as 'biomedical super-models' and their applicability to research.
• Get an overview of the study's hypothesis, its design, methods, and the unexpected results.
• A breakdown of the main takeaways from the paper and the limitations of the study.
• What to consider when administering carprofen to marmosets and its possible side effects.
• Dr. Perminov shares advice to researchers for administering carprofen to marmosets.
• Hear why she thinks research is needed on carprofen metabolism and pharmacokinetics.
• Insights into the challenges and opportunities of conducting a pharmacokinetics study.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Dr. Ekaterina Perminov on LinkedIn

UC Irvine

'Pharmacokinetics of Oral and Subcutaneous Carprofen in Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)'

Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Western University of Health Sciences

Trinka Adamson on LinkedIn

Antonio Pinto-Duart on LinkedIn

Kuo-Fen Lee on LinkedInAmerican Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)

AALAS Learning Library

Email AALAS

Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JAALAS)The LASt Word: An AALAS Podcast

AI isn't just shaping the future of medicine; it's transforming how we care for research animals and run vivarium operations! In this episode, we are joined by the VP of university-wide core services at Rutgers University, Jeetendra Eswaraka (BVS, PhD, DACLAM, DECLAM), to discuss his recent JAALAS paper, 'Using Machine Learning and Predictive Artificial Intelligence to Determine Cage Change Frequency for Mice Housed in Individually Ventilated Cages and Drive Vivarium Operational Efficiency'. Tuning in, you'll hear all about our guest's career and how he became, as he says, an 'accidental' lab animal vet, and what led him to take on his most recent project. We delve into the team that worked on the paper and what they needed to standardize in preparation for it before Jeetendra breaks down the process of the study. He even goes on to talk about the findings of the study, what surprised him, why he wouldn't change anything, and more! Finally, our guest shares some words of wisdom for anyone who wants to do what he does. Thanks for listening!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming today's guest, Jeetendra Eswaraka.
• An overview of his career and what led him to become a laboratory animal veterinarian.
• He tells us about his most recent project and why he took it on.
• Jeetendra tells us about the team he worked with on the paper.
• What the performance standard and Betting Status Index (BSI) are and how they work.
• The things they needed to standardize before they even started the study.
• Our guest walks us through the process of the study and its different phases.
• Some of the findings of the study and what surprised him about it.
• How Jeetendra is using this data now within his organization.
• What surprised our guest with regard to the finances of the project.
• Jeetendra shares some advice for anyone wanting to pursue a career like his.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Jeetendra Eswaraka on LinkedIn

'Using Machine Learning and Predictive Artificial Intelligence to Determine Cage Change Frequency for Mice Housed in Individually Ventilated Cages and Drive Vivarium Operational Efficiency'American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)

Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JAALAS)The LASt Word: An AALAS Podcast

New agents in veterinary anesthesia are changing the game. In this episode, we explore Grapiprant, a groundbreaking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) from the newer piprant class. We are joined by Dr. Lauren Wierenga, DVM, a staff veterinarian at Northern Bio. With a veterinary degree from the University of Wisconsin and lab animal residency training from the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Dr. Wierenga brings a wealth of expertise. She's here to discuss her recent JAALAS paper, 'Single-Dose Pharmacokinetics of Grapiprant in Rhesus Macaques'. Tune in to hear her elaborate on the importance of NSAIDs in treatment approaches, why and how she chose to tailor and design this PK study, and the findings and limitations of her work. She discusses how patient age may influence the drug's efficacy and also shares different aspects that surprised her during the process of the project. Dr. Wierenga also shares her final thoughts on the safety and effectiveness of Grapiprant and its potential role in a multimodal pain management approach. For more insightful findings, be sure to tune into this episode of the LASt Word Podcast.

Key Points From This Episode:

• We are introduced to today's guest, Lauren Wierenga, DVM.
• The story of how she got into lab animal research.
• Dr. Wierenga details the team members she worked with on this project.
• We dive into the introduction of her paper and why NSAIDs are so important.
• The basics of the NSAIDs rolling cascade.
• Dr. Wierenga unpacks the best approach for a Pharmacokinetics (PK) study design.
• We delve into the study's findings and what surprised Dr. Wierenga within their discoveries.
• The highlights of the paper's discussion.
• Other interesting findings that came from the study, and we explore the possible limitations.
• How age played a role in the effectiveness of the drug.
• Her thoughts on using this drug in a multimodal approach.
• Dr. Wierenge imparts advice to anyone looking to make use of Gripiprant in their clinics.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Dr. Lauren Wierenga, DVM on LinkedIn

'Single-Dose Pharmacokinetics of Grapiprant in Rhesus Macaques'

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)

Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JAALAS)The LASt Word: An AALAS Podcast

We are privileged to welcome a dynamic duo who have made their mark on animal laboratory sciences since 1998. Dr. Melvin Balk (Mel) and his wife, Judy Balk, join us as the Executive Director of the American College of Laboratory Medicine (ACLAM) and Library Director Emeritus, respectively. Mel begins with who he was before ACLAM and meeting Judy. Then, we learn how love at first sight manifests, how Judy and Mel organically developed a harmonious working relationship, how Mel landed his first animal patient, and how his military experience informs the work he does today. We also learn more about ACLAM and how its areas of focus have evolved from 1998 to today, and on the eve of their retirement, Judy and Mel reflect on their time at ACLAM and explain everything they have planned for their next installment in live. Finally, Judy urges us to be fearless in our pursuit of gaining knowledge, and Mel agrees while encouraging us to seize every possible moment.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Dr. Melvin Balk (Mel) explains who he is, beginning with his life before ACLAM.
• Love at first sight: How Mel met his wife, Judy.
• How their working relationship began in college dorms.
• Mel's introduction to veterinary work: How he landed his very first patient.
• Lessons learned in the Military and how they influence his work today.
• Unpacking the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM).
• The issues ACLAM was concerned with when Mel joined in 1998, compared to now.
• Judy and Mel's favorite ACLAM stories and moments, and what's next for the retiring duo.
• Final words of advice and hope from today's guests.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Dr. Melvin Balk on LinkedIn

Dr. Melvin Balk Email

Dr. Melvin Balk Phone Number: 603-887-2467

Judy Balk on LinkedIn American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM)

AALAS Learning LibraryAmerican Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)

Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JAALAS)The LASt Word: An AALAS Podcast

What if your health monitoring program could be more effective and more efficient? In this episode of The LASt Word, Dr. Wai H. Hanson, DVM, PhD, DACLAM, joins us to unpack her recently accepted JAALAS paper, 'Guidance on Establishing Health Monitoring Panels for Laboratory Mice to Reflect Contemporary Pathogen Prevalence'. Dr. Hanson shares how her entry into the field coincided with the rise of environmental monitoring, sparking her interest in reevaluating outdated sentinel animal models. She discusses the importance of using current prevalence data to tailor health monitoring panels, streamline testing, and save costs without compromising biosecurity, especially during quarantine. Tune in to explore the paper's practical, consensus-based starting points for institutions to reassess which pathogens to test for, and why. This episode is a must-listen for professionals rethinking lab animal health programs in today's resource-conscious environment!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Dr. Hanson's path from PhD to lab animal medicine.
• The emotional impact of moving away from sentinel animals.
• Meet the team behind the review paper.
• Role of The 3Rs Collaborative Rodent Health Monitoring Initiative.
• Insight into why this guidance paper was needed now.
• Defining key terms: exclusion versus testing lists.
• How this paper helps new grads and under-resourced institutions.
• Using commercial prevalence data to rethink and streamline panels.
• Breaking down tables one and two: core and scenario-specific agents.
• Rationalizing differences in institutional approaches.
• Debating the "kitchen sink" approach for immunocompromised mice.
• Fear versus data in testing decisions: the human element of streamlining panels.
• Applying the methodology to rats and other species.
• What inspired this paper's focus on pathogens over methodology.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Dr. Wai H. Hanson

'Guidance on Establishing Health Monitoring Panels for Laboratory Mice to Reflect Contemporary Pathogen Prevalence'

The 3Rs Collaborative Rodent Health Monitoring Initiative

AALAS Learning Library

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)

Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JAALAS)The LASt Word: An AALAS Podcast

Could a "thankless job" be one of the most vital roles in saving lives? In this episode of The LASt Word, we're joined by Leander Mallard, Cage Wash Manager at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, who reveals the profound impact of his work and team, transforming what might seem like humble beginnings into a powerful force for scientific advancement. Leander shares his unique journey into laboratory animal science, the unexpected entry point that led to a 22-year tenure, and a deep understanding of the industry from the "bottom up." He discusses the evolution of the cage wash area, from equipment advancements like automation to the crucial role of mentorship in fostering career growth and retention within the field. He also offers a fresh perspective on hiring, including how focusing on production skills can lead to higher cage wash and husbandry retention rates. Tune in to discover how Leander's passion and insights redefine the perception of essential work in laboratory animal science and why every effort, no matter how small, contributes to the mission of curing catastrophic diseases!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Leander's unconventional entry into lab animal science via a temp agency.
• Insight into the lasting impact of mentorship in career development.
• The critical role of cage wash in animal research and developing new talent.
• Changing public and industry perception of the cage wash role.
• Overcoming the challenges of a hot, steamy, and physical work environment.
• The value of cage wash experience for husbandry roles.
• How 70% of St. Jude's management began in cage wash, demonstrating upward mobility.
• Benefits of automation: from eliminating injuries to boosting morale and more.
• Carving out career paths for those who prefer not to work directly with animals.
• The need for more patience with new hires who lack prior animal experience.
• Why St. Jude's cage wash staff boasts a remarkably low turnover rate.
• Prioritizing production skills over animal experience in hiring to double retention.
• Relationship-focused advice to boost morale, retention, and overall success.

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:

Leander Mallard on LinkedIn

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Lean Six Sigma Institute

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)

Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JAALAS) The LASt Word: An AALAS Podcast