Overview

AALAS National Meeting. Over 400 educational presentations are made each year at our National Meeting. These seminars, platform sessions, special lectures, workshops, posters, platform sessions and round-table discussions cover a wide range of topics of interest to AALAS members and other lab animal professionals.

Publications. Our award-winning publications cover topics of interest to everyone involved in the care and use of laboratory animals and keep members up to date on the latest association news.

Certification. Nationally recognized as the authoritative endorsement of technician competence, our technician certification program certifies three levels of technical knowledge. The Technician Certification Registry is a voluntary program for technicians to demonstrate a current, credible level of knowledge. Laboratory animal facility managers will be interested in our Certified Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR) program, which is designed to raise competency and professionalism in the field. The annual CEU requirement ensures that certified animal resource managers are abreast of the latest in management techniques and theory.

Educational Resources. AALAS offers a variety of educational resources, including training manuals, workbooks, posters, reference booklets, resource kits, videos, CD-ROMs, and DVDs. There are resources for technician and manager certification study and training; anatomy posters on species such as the mouse, rat, rabbit, zebrafish, and frog; anatomy books on the mouse and rat; and technique training books on the mouse, rat, and minipig. 

Advocacy. Advocating for our members and promoting the value of the laboratory animal science profession and the numerous health related benefits to legislators and policymakers is an important priority for AALAS. To do this, we address legislative and regulatory issues that affect the laboratory animal science community, as well as the profession. We also strive to keep our members informed about Washington’s legislative and regulatory activities through advisories, articles, and updates in AALAS in Action. The AALAS Government Relations Committee, along with the assistance of our AALAS members and the advocates of other animal welfare-related groups, monitor federal legislative and regulatory issues. The AALAS Government Relations Committee will make recommendations and our position known on these policies and positions on federal legislative and regulatory issues that influence animal health and welfare and advance the laboratory animal science profession.

Institute for Laboratory Animal Management (ILAM). ILAM is an education program for professional laboratory animal managers that focuses on management concepts applicable to the animal resource industry.

AALAS Learning Library. The AALAS Learning Library (ALL) provides online learning opportunities in professional development and laboratory animal science courses for ongoing education and training.

Job Search Resources. The Career Center page provides year-round opportunities for job seekers. In addition, the AALAS National Meeting features a Career Center to give attendees a chance to discuss career opportunities with potential employees or employers.

National Awards. Professional and technical awards for excellence in the field of laboratory animal science are given each year at the AALAS National Meeting.

AALAS Community Exchange (ACE). ACE is an online platform consisting of various communities, each with their own discussion forum, online resource library, and member-search for networking.

Regional and Branch Meetings. AALAS members also have access to nearly 50 regional and branch groups that provide networking and educational opportunities close to where you work and live. Check our calendar for the latest branch and district meetings.

Member Directory. AALAS members have access to a searchable member directory; they can also update their directory information online. 

Public Outreach. The AALAS Foundation provides funding for projects to promote the awareness of biomedical research and its contributions to society. AALAS, through the Foundation, provides a variety of public outreach tools in the form of flyers, posters, web sites, videos and DVDs, and classroom materials.