Creating Innovative Animal-Free Research Methods Brings Researcher National Award
OTTAWA, April 8, 2019 /CNW/ - Humane Canada is pleased to announce that Dr. Charu Chandrasekera of the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods has been named the recipient of the 2019 Women for a Humane Canada Award, recognizing the power of women's leadership in animal welfare.
"Women for Humane Canada is a cross-Canada giving circle of women who believe in the power of making meaningful change happen for animals. This award was created to recognize those who show significant leadership in elevating animal welfare in Canada, and Dr. Chandrasekera is an amazing example of the exciting new possibilities in testing that will not involve animals" says Barbara Cartwright, CEO of Humane Canada.
As a former animal researcher, Dr. Chandrasekera learned firsthand that 95% of drugs tested and found to be safe and effective in animals, fail in human clinical trials. This sparked her to leave traditional animal-centred research and promote animal-free methods that reliably mimic human disease and more accurately predict human drug safety and risks posed by chemicals.
"I am now developing human biology-based platforms for biomedical research and chemical safety testing and educating the next generation of scientists to think outside the cage", says Dr. Chandrasekera. "This is in alignment with my scientific and ethical imperative to replace the use of animals in science and in other areas of life, a journey sparked by my precious feline companion, Mowgley".
In October 2017 she single-handedly created Canada's first and only centre dedicated exclusively to animal replacement, the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods (CCAAM) and its subsidiary, the Canadian Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (CaCVAM). During the Parliamentary debate of Bill S-214, The Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act, in June 2018, it was proudly mentioned that Canada finally has a centre to promote alternatives, thanks to Dr. Chandrasekera.
"Together, our group is taking concrete actions to make real change in the lives of animals in this country, and we celebrate Dr. Chandrasekera's long-time commitment to animal welfare through this award", concludes Cartwright.
The award will be presented this weekend at the sixth annual National Animal Welfare Conference, hosted at the Bonaventure Hotel in Montréal. This event is the largest and best attended conference of its kind in Canada, bringing together over 375 individuals who work with, care for and advocate for animals.
The award will be presented this weekend at the sixth annual National Animal Welfare Conference, hosted at the Bonaventure Hotel in Montréal. This event is the largest and best attended conference of its kind in Canada, bringing together over 375 individuals who work with, care for and advocate for animals.
ABOUT HUMANE CANADA
Humane Canada is the federation of SPCAs and humane societies, driving positive, progressive change to end animal cruelty, improve animal protection and promote the humane treatment of all animals. To learn more about Humane Canada, please visit humanecanada.ca
ABOUT THE ANIMAL WELFARE LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION AWARDS
Humane Canada's Animal Welfare Leadership & Innovation Awards were launched in 2016 as a way to recognize and celebrate those who are making important contributions to animal welfare in Canada. Other Humane Canada award winners this year include: the Donner Canadian Foundation, Furry Hobos N Hiway Hero's, Zachary's Paws for Healing, Spca de Montréal, Kevin Strooband of the Lincoln County Humane Society and Dr. Ian Duncan.
SOURCE Humane Canada
Media contact: Natalia Hanson, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Humane Canada, Office: 613-224-8072 ext. 12 | Cell: 613-262-6233, [email protected]
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