IITRI's animal facilities and laboratory animal care program have been awarded accreditation for another three years from the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC).

On the basis of a site visit in February 2002, the AAALAC team reported that "especially noteworthy were the strong administrative commitment to animal care, a comprehensive and effective health and safety program, a high level of sanitation, a detailed disaster plan related to animal resources, and effective physical plant maintenance."

"AAALAC accreditation is absolutely mandatory for success in our business areas," said Dr. David L. McCormick, vice president and director of IITRI's Life Sciences Group. He congratulated Dr. J. Brooks Harder, staff veterinarian, Dr. William Johnson, science advisor for the Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Division, and the staff involved in animal care for "a job well done."

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Dr. Gary D. Reznik recently joined IITRI's Life Sciences Group as a research biologist for the Microbiology and Immunology Division.

Dr. Reznik, who received a Ph.D. in chemistry/biochemistry from the University of Illinois, Chicago, is responsible for coordinating and performing bioinformatics activities needed to support the development of new diagnostic tests for infectious disease agents. He is also in charge of analysis of the fluorimetry data that are being collected as part of our effort to enhance molecular tools used in the diagnostic tests.

"Gary brings considerable experience in the areas of functional genomics and database mining, and is well versed in the use of various software applications and programming based on the UNIX operating system," said Dr. Lou Holland, science advisor for the Microbiology and Immunology Division. "Another unique capability he provides is in the area of neurodegenerative processes, including those associated with prions."

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Dr. Ali S. Faqi, study director for teratology, reproductive, and neurotoxicology studies at IITRI, recently co-authored two articles:

• "The Calciuric Response to Dietary Salt of Dahl Salt-Sensitive and Salt-Resistant Female Rats" was published in the American Journal of Medical Science, 322(6): 333-338, 2001.
• "2-Bromopropane Induces DNA Damage, Impairs Functional Antioxidant Cellular Defenses, and Enhances the Lipid Peroxidation Process in Primary Cultures of Rat Leydig Cells," was published in Reproductive Toxicology, 16(4): 379-384, 2002.

Dr. Moolky Nagabhushan, research biologist in IITRI's Microbiology and Immunology Division, co-authored an article titled "Turmeric and Curcumin Prevents the Formation of Mutagenic Maillard Reaction Products," published in the 7th International Symposium on the Maillard Reaction, Takata E (Ed), Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2002. pp 256-260.

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Dr. Narayanan Rajendran, vice president and manager of the Inhalation Toxicology Division recently celebrated 25 years of service with IITRI. He is featured in this issue of IITRI Life Sciences Today. Please see "Inhalation Toxicology Division Manager Wins Technology and Scientific Advancement Award."

Dr. J. Brooks Harder, laboratory animal veterinarian for the Life Sciences Group, recently celebrated 20 years of service with IITRI. Dr. Harder, who holds a D.V.M. from Kansas State University, is responsible for the health and well-being of laboratory animals in a 50,000-square-foot AAALAC-accredited animal facility. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science and is the co-author of 10 abstracts and articles.

Elaine C. Brown, senior quality assurance auditor, recently celebrated 20 years of service with IITRI. Ms. Brown has 11 years of experience in performing quality assurance functions for nonclinical laboratory studies to ensure compliance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations. A Registered Quality Assurance Professional in GLPs with the Society of Quality Assurance, she is responsible for ensuring that IITRI's facilities, equipment, personnel, methods, practices, records, and controls meet GLP standards. Ms. Brown also has 13 years of experience working as an analyst/principal investigator in the field of fine particles research.

Nicole Kozub, B.S., and Todd Haryu, B.S., Laboratory Biologists for the Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Division, recently celebrated five years of service with IITRI. Ms. Kozub and Mr. Haryu serve as acting technical supervisors. Both also have acted as study supervisors for oral toxicity, dermal toxicity, dermal irritation, eye irritation, carcinogenesis, and teratology studies. Both Ms. Kozub and Mr. Haryu are members of the Midwest Regional Chapter of the Society of Toxicology, Ms. Kozub has authored two publications, and Mr. Haryu is a graduate academic representative MRC-SOT.

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