The Humane Society of the United States Solicits Nominations for the 2011 Russell and Burch Award

The Humane Society of the United States presents the Russell and Burch Award to scientists who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of alternative methods in the areas of biomedical  class="Apple-style-span"research, testing, or higher education. Alternative methods—also known as the Three Rs—are methods that can replace or reduce the use of animals in specific procedures, or refine procedures so that animals experience less pain or suffering.

The award is named in honor of William Russell and Rex Burch, the scientists who formulated the Three Rs approach of replacement, reduction, and refinement. The Award is a means of recognizing the important role that scientists play in limiting the use and suffering of animals in laboratories.

Application

Candidates for the award are judged on the scientific merit of their contribution to the alternatives field, as well as their impact and professional commitment to this field. Applicants should have a history of laboratory work that is above reproach on humane grounds.

Send nominations by April 10, 2011 to ari@humanesociety.org. No special forms are necessary. Persons nominating themselves should submit a cover letter explaining their suitability for the award, a curriculum vitae, and three published articles (preferably in PDF format) representative of their alternatives work. Persons nominating others should submit a letter explaining the nominee’s suitability for the award, and arrange to have supporting documents forwarded.

Selection

Recipients of the Russell and Burch Award are selected by past honorees, who include:

· Thomas Hartung, M.D., Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University (2009)

· Rodger Curren, Ph.D., Institute for In Vitro Sciences (2007)

· Bert van Zutphen, Ph.D., University of Utrecht (2005)

· David Morton, M.R.C.V.S., Ph.D., University of Birmingham (2002)

· Katherine Stitzel, D.V.M., Procter & Gamble (1999)

· Neil Wilcox, D.V.M., M.P.H., U.S. Food and Drug Administration (1998)

· William Stokes, D.V.M., National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (1998)

· Horst Spielmann, M.D., German National Center for the Documentation and Evaluation of Alternatives to Animal Testing (1997)

· Andrew Rowan, D. Phil., Tufts University (1996)

· Robert Van Buskirk, Ph.D., State University of New York at Binghamton (1995)

· Michael Balls, D.Phil., European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (1994)

· Coenraad Hendriksen, D.V.M., Dutch National Institute of Health and Environmental Protection(1993)

· Charles Branch, Ph.D., Auburn University (1992)

· Alan Goldberg, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University (1991)

The HSUS will bestow the Russell and Burch Award at the World Congresses on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences, which will be held August 21-25, 2011 in Montreal, Canada (www.wc8.ccac.ca). The honoree will receive a $5,000 award and a plaque.

Inquiries

Contact The HSUS via email: ari@humanesociety.org; tel.: 301-258-0242; fax: 301-258-7760; or mail: Russell & Burch Award, Animal Research Issues Section, The Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20037 USA