Two Honored for Research Advocacy
(December 1, 2010 – Raleigh, NC) Two leaders in public outreach have been recognized by States United for Biomedical Research (SUBR) for their outstanding efforts to promote public understanding and appreciation of biomedical research, including the humane care and use of research animals.
Alice W. Ra’anan, Director of Government Relations and Science Policy for the American Physiological Society, is the recipient of the 2010 SUBR Distinguished Service Award.
Kevin I. Phelps, Jr., a Senior Laboratory Animal Technician at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y., is the recipient of the 2010 SUBR Award for Excellence in Public Outreach.
“We are very pleased to recognize those who are pillars in the community who are reaching out alongside SUBR -- through grassroots outreach efforts -- to students, parents and teachers as well as the general public,” said Faith Wolfe, SUBR Executive Director. “These efforts couldn’t come at a more important time. We are so excited that kids throughout the country are learning about the amazing possibilities that biomedical research offers."
The 2010 SUBR Distinguished Service Award honors Ms. Ra’anan for her many years of support and service to public outreach efforts on behalf of the biomedical research community.
“I am grateful to receive this Distinguished Service Award,” Ra’anan said. “I have enormous respect for the research advocacy efforts of the members of States United for Biomedical Research. It is essential that organizations dedicated to advancing science work together to strengthen the public’s trust that research involving animals is conducted humanely and contributes to human and animal health. The American Physiological Society is proud to partner with SUBR to help inform the public about the efforts made to ensure that such research is appropriate, beneficial, and humane.”
Ms. Ra’anan has worked closely with SUBR and its constituent members on many projects. Ms. Ra’anan has been providing legislative analysis and policy recommendations on issues that affect physiological researchers since 1992, with a special focus on the humane use of animals in research and education.
The 2010 SUBR Award for Excellence in Public Outreach honors Mr. Phelps for his outstanding outreach efforts during the past two years.
A long-time member of the Upstate New York Branch of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (UNYB-AALAS), Mr. Phelps is currently serving as the UNYB-AALAS president-elect and will become president in January 2011.
Mr. Phelps is responsible for greatly expanding the UNYB-AALAS public outreach program. His efforts have included direct outreach to Central New York schools, several UNYB-AALAS newsletter articles encouraging other members of the biomedical research community to become involved in public outreach, and development of the “Are you alive?” t-shirt in addition to being a guest speaker at the Technician Lunch and Learn at the 2008 AALAS National Meeting in Indianapolis. His latest effort was the development of a radio commercial project funded by the AALAS Foundation in which real people and real animals with real problems say thank you to lab animal research. Each commercial spot was 15 seconds long and the commercials ran for a month.
“I would like to thank SUBR for presenting me with the its 2010 Award for Excellence in Public Outreach,” Mr. Phelps said. ”When I began conducting public outreach in the state of New York, I had very few resources and no system in place. The individuals I have met and colleagues I have gained through SUBR have guided me and assisted me in establishing the public outreach program I have today. SUBR is comprised of the nation’s leading experts in public outreach for laboratory animal science. To receive their recognition for my efforts is truly an honor.”
States United for Biomedical Research is a national network of nonprofit associations who have joined forces to promote health through science and education. Biomedical research provides hope for those who are suffering from illnesses for which there are still no cures. Network members represent hospitals, healthcare systems, universities, voluntary health organizations, professional associations, and other members of the research community. Our network celebrates the people, the process, and the promise of biomedical research.