AALAS Branches AALAS branches function independently from the national organization. Branches are authorized to use the name American Association for Laboratory Animal Science in the branch name and logo. Branches are not legal entities of AALAS, and AALAS bears no legal responsibility for nor accepts any liability for the actions of branches. Branches do not share the association's tax-exempt status nor any other legal status of the association. Branches pay no annual fees or dues to AALAS, and AALAS does not provide any financial assistance to branches.
Branch names are published in the AALAS Reference Directory and the AALAS Leadership & Committee Resource Directory, as are the names of the branches president and secretary. An AALAS staff liaison is assigned at the national office to act as an information and support resource person.
Forming a Branch
A group of individuals from a specific geographic area not currently represented by an AALAS branch can be recognized as a branch of AALAS if they meet the following conditions:
Have a minimum of ten branch members who are current AALAS national members in good standing.
Have a proposed branch constitution and bylaws.
Elect a proposed slate of officers to conduct the business of the branch.
Successfully petition the AALAS Board of Trustees (BOT) for recognition as a branch of AALAS.
If you meet the above criteria and would like to form a new AALAS branch, contact your district trustees and the AALAS office. An AALAS staff member will provide you with the information necessary to proceed in your petition.
Joining a Branch
If you are not currently a member of an AALAS branch, but would like to join, check the branch list to see which branch(es) you're interested in, then contact the branch president or e-mail us your name, mailing address, preferred e-mail address, phone number, and the branch(es) you're interested in. We'll see that someone from the appropriate branch gets in touch with you.
Branch Challenge
In order to participate in the AALAS Branch Challenge, a copy of your branch’s current officer roster must be submitted on or before February 1 and a copy of your branch’s current membership roster must be submitted to the AALAS office on or before May 1. The branch must also be in good standing with the national association and meet all requirements of member branch status as established by the AALAS bylaws.
To qualify for the AALAS Branch Challenge, you must first indicate that your branch will participate by checking the appropriate box on the Branch Officers’ Roster form. (Note: Your branch will not be automatically added to the Challenge.) The branch must maintain or exceed the percentage of AALAS national members over the previous year. The winner will be the AALAS branch with the largest percentage growth. In the event of a tie, the branch with the most number of total AALAS national members will be the winner. The winning branch will receive a banner to use at branch meetings and functions. That branch will also be recognized at the General Membership Meeting during the AALAS National Meeting and have their branch’s name engraved on a perpetual plaque, displayed prominently during the National Meeting and retained at the AALAS office.
Technician Branch Representatives (TBRs)
Technician Branch Representatives (TBRs) are appointed/elected by their AALAS branch and serve a very important role. TBRs serve as the voice of the technician community by serving as liaisons between the 50 local AALAS branches and the AALAS national office. TBRs are the “heart” of the AALAS family and the method by which the CTAD is able to assist technicians. The TBRs work closely with the CTAD to keep this two-way exchange of information between the branches and the AALAS national office. TBRs work closely with the CTAD and AALAS staff to:
Share technicians' activities, ideas, and suggestions with other AALAS branches and the National Office.
Help technicians promote biomedical research on a local level.
Provide technicians with professional opportunities and strategies at the local, district, and national levels.
Maintain regular contact with other TBRs, the CTAD, and the AALAS national office via the Branch Leadership and TechLink electronic listservs.
The TBR Guidelines provides more details on a TBR's responsibilities and role in the AALAS community.
TBR Recognition Award
Technician Branch Representatives (TBRs) are a vital part of the Committee on Technician Awareness & Development (CTAD). TBRs share technicians' activities, ideas, and suggestions; help them promote biomedical research on a local basis; provide them with professional opportunities and strategies; encourage them to participate in AALAS at a local and national level; and request technicians' articles for AALAS publications. In short, they provide a valuable connection between AALAS and technicians in the field.
The TBR who demonstrates outstanding performance above all others will be the winner of the AALAS TBR Recognition Award. The award consists of a complimentary AALAS National Meeting registration, a complimentary hotel room, plus an additional $150 in travel funds and reimbursement of airfare up to $500. To qualify, TBRs must meet the following criteria:
Be actively involved in the local AALAS branch;
Encourage branch members to participate in AALAS at the branch and national level;
Participates in the TBR Network;
Involved with the CTAD and its activities; and
Demonstrates a financial need.
Nominations are accepted from any AALAS branch member, a member of the AALAS branch's board of directors or the district's CTAD representative. If you have a TBR in your branch who you feel has shown an exemplary job performance, please nominate him/her by using the TBR Recognition Awardnomination form. Deadline for nomination is July 1.
Academy of Surgical Research—ASR
ASR encourages and advances education, research, and development in the arts and sciences of experimental surgery; promotes the humane use and treatment of experimental animals and prevents their use when other means can bring about the same scientific results; and encourages the advancement of the field of surgery in all aspects, including research, education, and critical promotion of research products for clinical applications.
Allied Trade Association—ATA
The ATA was formed in the late 1950s by a small group of vendors serving our industry. The purpose was to have an organized body to work with AALAS regarding the needs of vendors exhibiting at AALAS National Meetings.
American College of Lab Animal Medicine—ACLAM
ACLAM advances the humane care and responsible use of laboratory animals through certification of veterinary specialists, professional development, education, and research.
American Committee on Laboratory Animal Diseases—ACLAD
The mission of the American Committee on Laboratory Animal Diseases is to advance and communicate knowledge about diseases of laboratory animals for the benefit of laboratory animal science and comparative medicine.
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers—ASHRAE
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers advances technology to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world. Membership is open to any person associated with the field.
American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners—ASLAP
ASLAP provides a mechanism for the exchange of scientific and technical information among veterinarians engaged in laboratory animal practice; encourages the development and dissemination of knowledge in areas related to laboratory animal practice; acts as a spokesperson for laboratory animal practitioners within the AVMA House of Delegates and encourages its members to provide training for veterinarians in the field of laboratory animal practice at both the pre- and post-doctoral levels.
American Veterinary Medical Association—AVMA
AVMA advances the science and art of veterinary medicine, including its relationship to public health, biological science, and agriculture. The association provides a forum for the discussion of issues of importance to the veterinary profession, and for the development of official positions. AVMA is the authorized voice for the profession in presenting its views to government, academia, agriculture, pet owners, the media, and other concerned publics.
Americans for Medical Progress—AMP
AMP aims to protect society's investment in research. To that end, it promotes public understanding of and support for the appropriate role of animals in biomedical research so that scientists are able to continue their quest for cures and improved methods of treatment for illness, injury, and disease.
Animal Transportation Association—AATA
AATA serves as a resource for those concerned with the human handling and transportation of animals. It initiates and encourages related organizations to develop best practices for animal transport.
Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Lab Animal Care, International—AAALAC, International
AAALAC International is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. More than 670 companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies, and other research institutions in 25 countries have earned AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal care and use.
Association of Primate Veterinarians—APV
APV is an international organization consisting of over 400 veterinarians concerned with the health, care, and welfare of nonhuman primates (NHPs). The objectives are to promote the dissemination of information relating to the health, care, and welfare of nonhuman primates; to provide a mechanism by which primate veterinarians may speak collectively on matters regarding nonhuman primates; and to promote fellowship among primate veterinarians.
Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science—CALAS/ASCAL
The Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS/ACSAL) is composed of a multidisciplinary group of people and institutions concerned with the care and use of laboratory animals in research, teaching and testing. Membership includes veterinarians, physicians, researchers, administrators, technicians and many others.
Elizabeth R. Griffin Research Foundation
The Elizabeth R. Griffin Research Foundation assists research that clearly defines current public health risks associated with zoonotic diseases, provides a prevention/treatment/information network for research organizations, provides a support network for those who have contracted or at risk of contracting zoonotic diseases and promotes safe and responsible scientific research involving the use of animals.
Foundation for Biomedical Research—FBR
Established in 1981, the Foundation for Biomedical Research (FBR) is the nation’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to improving human and animal health by promoting public understanding and support for the humane and responsible use of animals in medical and scientific research.
Institute for Laboratory Animal Research—ILAR
ILAR has prepare authoritative reports on subjects of importance to the animal care and use community; serves as a clearinghouse for information about animal resources; develops and makes available scientific and technical information on laboratory animals and other biological research resources for the scientific community and the public.
Institute of Animal Technology—IAT
This British organization develops training courses for animal technicians, produces publications, and has introduced examinations which were the forerunner of today's internationally recognized qualifications.
International Council for Lab Animal Science—ICLAS
ICLAS aims to promote and coordinate the development of laboratory animal science throughout the world and as a matter of priority in developing countries, to promote international collaboration in laboratory animal science, to promote quality definition and monitoring of laboratory animals, and to collect and disseminate information on laboratory animal science, among other things.
Laboratory Animal Welfare Training Exchange— LAWTE
The Laboratory Animal Welfare Training Exchange aims to promote an information exchange among laboratory animal welfare trainers on training programs, systems, materials, and services for the purpose of promoting the highest standards of laboratory animal care and use.
Massachusetts Society for Medical Research—MSMR
MSMR promotes and enhances biomedical and biological research, including the humane care and use of animals, for the improved health and well-being of people, animals, and the environment.
National Association for Biomedical Research —NABR
The National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) is the only national, nonprofit organization dedicated solely to advocating sound public policy that recognizes the vital role of humane animal use in biomedical research, higher education and product safety testing.
Patients' Voice for Medical Advance—PVMA
PVMA is a national voluntary group that supports the humane use of animals and the ethical use of biotechnology in medical research.
Scientists Center for Animal Welfare—SCAW
SCAW’s mission is to promote the best practices of humane care, use, and management of animals involved in research, testing or education in laboratory, agricultural, wildlife, or other settings.
Singapore Association for Laboratory Animal Science—SALAS
The Singapore Association for Laboratory Animal Science is a non-profit organization established to advance the responsible care and use of laboratory animals for the benefit of people and animals.
Society of Quality Assurance—SQA
SQA is dedicated to providing a forum for information exchange and utilization of knowledge in research and regulatory quality assurance, promoting the profession through leadership and effective professional relationships, and enhancing knowledge of regulatory and quality assurance concerns that impact research.
States United for Biomedical Research—SUBR
SUBR is a network of state-based associations whose joint purpose is to increase public value and support of biomedical research, particularly as it relates to the care and use of research animals.
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