New Director of Animal Science Center, Request for Census Projections

TO: Deans, Department Chairs, and Faculty that Use ASC Services
FROM: Kate Mellouk, Associate Vice President, Research Compliance
DATE: April 6, 2018
SUBJECT: New Director of Animal Science Center and Request for Census Projections

I am very pleased to announce that Dr. Rao Varada, who has served as the interim director of the Animal Science Center (ASC) since September, has been named the new ASC Director and Attending Veterinarian, effective April 1, 2018. An experienced researcher with a PhD in immunology, Dr. Varada is an American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM)-boarded veterinarian with 18 years of experience–in both industry and academia–working at the interface of lab animal science and biomedical research.

I would also like to take this opportunity to communicate how critical it is for deans and department chairs to notify the Animal Science Center, on an ongoing basis, of changes that will impact animal census, including faculty new hires or departures, as well as changes in research funding. This information is essential for the ASC to effectively manage operations and fiscal planning.

Additionally, please keep in mind that significant caging needs must be factored into funding plans for faculty start-ups, current faculty research, and/or new research funding for animal studies. Please reach out to Dr. Varada to talk about housing needs for your faculty or any additional material changes that will impact the ASC. He is a valuable resource to our faculty in planning experiments and developing animal models. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to him at any time: pvarada@bu.edu or 617-358-8375.

We are also currently in the process of setting animal housing rates for the upcoming year. Please let us know of any changes in animal use so that we can accurately project census and costs. To assist in this process, some of you will be receiving a formal request for additional information on anticipated census for FY19. We will supply you with a monthly report of census by PI for the current year to assist in projections. Laurel Whalen, Assistant Director of Finance and Administration for the ASC, can be contacted with any questions regarding animal costs or billing and with updates about animal usage: lawhalen@bu.edu or 617-358-8199.

Thank you for your help and cooperation.