Purpose: The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Saint Anselm College works to ensure the humane care and use of animals in research and teaching, and ensures compliance with guidelines and regulations. The committee approves all activities, including research and breeding colonies, that involve the use of live vertebrate animals.

Committee Members: IACUC members include a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), at least one practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals, at least one member from a nonscientific background, and at least one public member to represent general community interests in the proper care and use of animals. Two student representatives are also appointed as non-voting members.

Current IACUC members: 

  • Lori LaPlante, Ph.D. (Chair)
  • Adam Wenzel, Ph.D.
  • Dr. Bill Sofield, Ph.D., DVM
  • Ms. Judith Cheron, J.D.
  • William Ploog, Ph.D.
  • Ms. Nicole Lagasse ('16)
  • Ms Weimin Tan ('18)

Committee Meetings: The IACUC meets twice a year, once in November (Fall meeting) and a second time in May (Spring meeting).

Protocol Reviews: The IACUC evaluates scientific elements proposed in animal study protocols as they relate to the welfare and use of vertebrate animals in research and teaching. The Animal Study Protocol is a detailed description of the proposed use of research or teaching animals. The IACUC uses guidelines outlined in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals in their evaluation of whether a protocol is approved, approved with modifications, or rejected. IACUC members named in protocols or who have other conflicts will recuse themselves from decisions concerning decisions on animal study proposals. All Animal Study Protocols should be submitted at least two weeks before either the fall or spring IACUC meetings (see above for meeting dates).

  • Download the Animal Study Protocol form (MS Word/148KB)
  • View online version of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th edition (National Academies Press, 2011)

Personnel Training: Investigators conducting any research that is externally sponsored (NSF, NIH, NH-INBRE, etc) or which involves animal subjects (regardless of funding status) must complete the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative's (CITI) Animal Care and Use module(s).

To complete the training, please visit the CITI Web site, and complete the following steps:

  • Register and affiliate yourself with Saint Anselm College. This is essential so that SAC receives proof of your completion of training via a system generated notification. 
  • All PIs working with animals are expected to complete all modules in the Working with the IACUC course
  • Additional courses may be necessary depending on the nature of research/teaching. Typical additional courses include: Post-Procedure Care of Mice and Rats in Research: Minimizing Pain and Distress; and/or Wildlife Research. 
  • Complete the online readings and quizzes. You may log in and out of the system as many times as you need. It is recommended that you NOT try to complete the training in a single session. Each time you log in, you will be able to continue from where you previously left off. You can repeat quizzes and readings as many times as needed. 

If you need assistance registering with the system or additional information, please contact Bill Ploog, Director of Sponsored Programs and Research at wploog@anselm.edu  or (603) 641-7174.

Reporting of Animal Welfare Concerns: Principal Investigators are asked to post contact information for reporting any animal welfare issues. Contact information should be posted outside room(s) housing animals and should include phone numbers and emails of i) the investigator, ii) Chair of the investigator's department, iii) Chair of the IACUC, iv) Dean of the College, and v) the Institutional Officer.

Any person having reason to question the humane or ethical treatment of animals should contact Dr. Lori LaPlante, Chair of the Institute of Animal Care and Use Committee at (603) 641-7163 or William Ploog, Director of the Office of Sponsored Program and Research (603) 641-7174. The person reporting the concern is not required to provide his or her name. No threat or reprisal will be made against anyone reporting perceived mistreatment or non-compliance.