Faazal Rehman, VMD, currently a third year resident, will become Attending Veterinarian and Director, Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine and Research Associate Professor at the Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, IL. Congratulations Faaz!

Hannah completed her undergraduate degree in Animal Science at Texas A&M University and received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and Master’s in Laboratory Animal Medicine from Tufts University. She is currently completing a one-year Laboratory Animal Medicine internship at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. She was introduced to lab animal medicine and research through her father, who is a biomedical engineer. She completed a two-week externship at the University of Chicago in January 2025. Her hobbies outside of work include aerial acrobatics, reading, board games, and playing with her dog, Sven. Hannah will start at UChicago on July 1, 2025.

Faaz Rehman, 3rd year resident, has been selected as one of four laboratory animal medicine residents to present their research projects at ALCAM Forum Conference in Newport, Rhode Island. He will also have his attendance costs covered including registration, hotel, and travel expenses!

Bryanna Leazer, 1st year resident, was one of 50 trainees at the University of Chicago selected to participate in Becoming a Leader, a professional development series, open to all trainees, postdocs, and PhD students, designed in support of the professional development of women in science and medicine.

Two residents will be presenting at the CBAALAS Midwest Conference in Northbrook, IL.

Faaz Rehman: Aquatic Advancements: Refining Survival Blood Collection in Zebrafish.

Joanna Copio: Analysis of IVC Microenvironments During 21 Day Cage Change Frequency Using Two Different Rodent Bedding Types.

Joanna Copio, 2nd year resident, and Faaz Rehman, 3rd year resident, were two of the six individuals selected for the ASLAP AALAS Travel Award! This program is intended to highlight the practice of laboratory animal medicine by supporting veterinary students and laboratory animal medicine residents/trainees who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field to attend the National AALAS meeting.

Two residents will be presenting at the 75th AALAS National Meeting in Nashville, TN.

Faaz Rehman: Refining Survival Blood Collection in Zebrafish. Abstract accepted for platform session.

Faaz Rehman: Aquatic Advancements: Validation of a Novel Zebrafish Survival Blood Collection Technique. Abstract accepted for platform session.

Joanna Copio: Analysis of IVC Microenvironments During 21 Day Cage Change Frequency Using Two Different Rodent Bedding Types. Abstract accepted for platform session.

Joanna Copio: The Establishment of Cephalopod Standards and Protocols at the University of Chicago in Response to Growing Use in Neuroscience Research. Abstract accepted for poster.

Joanna Copio, 1st year resident, has received funding from ACLAM Foundation for her residency research project entitled “Assessing local anesthesia in Octopus bimaculoides to provide analgesia during a regenerative surgical procedure.” Joanna is the first U of C resident to be awarded grant funding! The ACLAM Foundation seeks to expand knowledge supporting biomedical research and the health and welfare of research animals through the funding of research grants.

Bryanna Leazer, who will become a first year resident in July 2024, was awarded the ASLAP Veterinary Student Award. The VSAP is intended to increase awareness of the practice of laboratory animal medicine by recognizing six current senior veterinary students who have demonstrated significant interest and potential in the field. The Veterinary Student Award Program (VSAP) provides a certificate, one year’s membership in ASLAP, a copy of the 3rd edition of the ACLAM Laboratory Animal Medicine textbook, and a monetary award of $300.

Bryanna completed a BS in Organismal Biology at Auburn University and is currently finishing her DVM at North Carolina State University. She has had a passion for laboratory animal medicine since she discovered it while working with laboratory piglets at age 19. During her veterinary degree, she has developed a love for animal welfare, anesthesia, pharmacology, and promoting DEI initiatives in the veterinary field. She completed her ASLAP Fellowship at the University of Chicago in 2022 and is excited to return. In her free time, she enjoys reading, weight lifting, and cuddling with her boxer-pitt mix named Zuko. Bryanna will start at UChicago on July 1.