Innovating with Heart: How Superior Animal Welfare Drives Biomedical Research Excellence — Louis D. Hyndman Sr Lecture

Keynote Lecture

Innovating with Heart: How Superior Animal Welfare Drives Biomedical Research Excellence

Melanie Graham, MPH, PhD, Professor, University of Minnesota

The overarching goal of biomedical research is to improve the quality of life for both animals and humans. When no alternatives to using animals in research exist, a harm-benefit assessment is conducted to ensure that the potential benefits outweigh anticipated harms or burdens to animals. While this basic premise underlies ethical use, there is an inextricable link between well-being and health impacts, which influence research outcomes through a range of direct and indirect pathways.

The 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—when applied deliberately, enhance both welfare and scientific research by ensuring the best fit-for-purpose modelling. Behavioural management is an essential Refinement capable of improving the well-being of animals as well as the individuals who care for them, while also increasing the accuracy and reliability of research results, thereby facilitating successful translation of life-changing medical therapies.

Agenda

2–2:10 p.m.: Introduction and Progress in islet cell transplantation at the University of Alberta

Aminah Robinson Fayek, Vice-President (Research and Innovation), University of Alberta

2:10–2:25 p.m.: Biosorbing functionalized scaffolds to augment islet engraftment

Greg Korbutt, Professor, Dept. of Surgery, University of Alberta

2:25–2:40 p.m.: The Magic of Stem Cells in the Treatment of Diabetes

James Shapiro, MD, Professor, Dept. of Surgery, University of Alberta

2:40–2:55 p.m.: Islet Graft Localized Immune Modulation

Andrew Pepper, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Surgery, University of Alberta

3–4 p.m.: Innovating with Heart: How Superior Animal Welfare Drives Biomedical Research Excellence (Keynote Lecture)

Melanie Graham, MPH, PhD, Professor, University of Minnesota

4 p.m.: Reception and refreshments to follow

Keynote speaker

Melanie Graham, MPH, PhD

Professor, University of Minnesota

Melanie Graham's research primarily centers on metabolic diseases and interventions, with a specific focus on regenerative medicine, including innovative cell-based therapies and immunomodulation. She is recognized for her expertise in enhancing the validity of preclinical modeling and refining models of chronic disease to maximize their predictive accuracy for clinical translation.

Dr. Graham holds positions as Professor and Executive Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Surgery, Medical School, Professor in Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, and serves as the Director of the Preclinical Research Center (PCRC) at the University of Minnesota. Additionally, she holds the Robert and Katherine Goodale Chair in Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Dr. Graham holds positions as Professor and Executive Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Surgery, Medical School, Professor in Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, and serves as the Director of the Preclinical Research Center (PCRC) at the University of Minnesota. Additionally, she holds the Robert and Katherine Goodale Chair in Minimally Invasive Surgery.

About the Louis D. Hyndman Sr Lecture series