2023 Excellence in Research Award Winners Announced
The Animal Care & Use Program is pleased to announce the 2023 winners of the Excellence in Research Animal Care & Use Award.
Established in 2019, this awards program celebrates staff excellence in the humane care and use of animals within the University of Michigan (U-M) research community. This year's winners represent both the U-M research community and the Animal Care & Use Program:
Renee Jehmlich – Animal Care & Use Program Winner
Renee Jehmlich (pictured top right), an Animal Care Supervisor in the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, was named winner of the 2023 Animal Care & Use Program Excellence in Animal Care & Use Award.
Renee collaborates with researchers across campus on a variety of studies and helps ensure animal welfare by providing daily husbandry care and health monitoring to all animals in her assigned locations.
Dr. Zhi “Elena” Zhang, a close collaborator with Renee stated that, “[Renee] consistently demonstrates exemplary excellence in animal welfare through her actions, concern, and compassion for laboratory animals involved in research. She always performs thorough animal health examinations and assures that the animals receive high-quality care and humane treatment. Her support not only promotes animal welfare but also ensures the quality of animal research.”
Renee also manages the Animal/Rodent Redistribution Program, which aims to reduce the number of animals used in research by re-distributing naïve animals to different U-M investigators.
Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Renee, and thank you for all that you do to support the U-M research community and the animals entrusted to our care!
Eric Kennedy – Research Community Winner
Eric Kennedy (pictured bottom right), a Senior Animal Technician and Laboratory Manager for both Dr. Timothy Bruns and Dr. Cindy Chestek’s laboratories in the Biomedical Engineering Department, has received the 2023 Research Community Excellence in Animal Care & Use Award.
Working alongside Dr. Bruns, Eric investigates new methods for modulating and monitoring bladder function toward translational technologies to restore human health.
Eric was specifically nominated for his work with Dr. Bruns’ laboratory for his willingness to collaborate with ULAM Faculty Veterinarians and staff to further improve animal handling techniques to minimize animal stress and ensure the highest standards of care. Eric also provides training for other laboratory members on proper animal handling and monitoring procedures to support animals throughout all stages of various complex studies.
Dr. Bruns praised Eric’s diligence and care saying, “Eric works with the rest of our research team to make sure all of our animals are well taken care of – including coming in on nights and weekends to check animal health.”
Thank you for your commitment to compassionate and humane animal care, Eric. We are proud to recognize your many efforts!