SUBJECT:

Appointment of Director, Animal Welfare Program

Following an extensive national search, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Deborah Van Etten as Director of the Animal Welfare Program at UC San Diego.

Ms. Van Etten will join UCSD from the Veterans Medical Research Foundation (VMRF), where she has served, since 2002, as the first Animal Research Compliance Officer in the VA system. During her tenure, Ms. Van Etten established a successful, collaborative partnership between the VA and UCSD's Animal Care and Welfare Programs.

Ms. Van Etten has developed lectures, workshops, and training modules for research administrators, IACUC members, investigators and research staff on a broad range of topics, including laws, regulations, and guidelines for animal research. In addition, Ms. Van Etten has provided regulatory compliance consulting services to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical community in San Diego.

Ms. Van Etten will begin her appointment on January 5, 2009. Please join me in welcoming her to UCSD.

Arthur B. Ellis Vice Chancellor for Research