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Recognizing Excellence in Animal Care and Use Program

This program is designed to recognize and honor a member of the UTMB Animal Care and Use Community who demonstrates a strong and consistent commitment to the ethical care and welfare of animals used in research, teaching or testing. Honorees are selected annually and represent individuals whose dedication, compassion, and professionalism contribute significantly to advancing UTMB’s culture of care.

NOMINATION FORM
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  • Eligibility
    Applicants must be current, active participants in the UTMB Animal Care and Use Program, engaged in activities involving the care or use of animals in research, teaching, or testing under the program’s oversight.
  • Nomination Process
    • Nominations will be sought annually and must be submitted by March 1.
    • The call for nominations will be announced through current communication channels, which may include, but are not limited to, the Animal Welfare Office (AWO) website, the AWO Newsletter, InfoEd announcements, meeting announcements, and the Post-Approval Monitoring (PAM) Program.
    • The IACUC will select the recipient at one of its full committee meetings.
    • All UTMB faculty, staff, trainees, students, and volunteers are encouraged to submit nominations for a member of the UTMB Animal Care and Use Program.
    • To submit a nomination:
      Complete the Recognizing Excellence in Animal Care and Use Program Nomination form.
  • Review & Selection Process

    The IACUC Chair, Attending Veterinarian, AWO Director, or their designees, along with at least two IACUC members, will:

    • Review all submitted nominations.
    • Present a recommendation to the IACUC Full Committee.
    • The IACUC Full Committee will select the recognition recipient.
      • The IACUC is not required to confer recognition in any given year if it determines that no suitable nominees are identified.
      • If an IACUC member, or a member of their laboratory, is nominated for recognition, that IACUC member must recuse themselves from all aspects of the selection process, including the pre-selection review, committee deliberations, and voting.
  • Recognition

    After the recipient has been selected by the IACUC, the AWO will send a formal notification via email. The following forms of recognition may include, but are not limited to:

    • Announcement in the AWO Newsletter
    • In-person recognition at UTMB Research Day
    • Acknowledgement letter to the individual’s supervisor and/or the department chair.
  • Frequency

    An individual may receive this recognition no more than once every 3 years.