News

FIN3R WEBINAR SERIES IS STARTING AGAIN!

Join us the second webinar in April!

Title: "Habituation and Refined Procedures for the Laboratory Rabbit to Reduce Stress and Enhance Welfare for both Animals and Staff"

Speaker: Evelyn K. Skoumbourdis (Technical Training Specialist, Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, University of Pittsburgh)

Host: Julia Swan (University of Eastern Finland &FIN3R Refinement Director)

When: April 22nd, 2026 (15-16 EEST)

Abstract: The rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has been a highly popular scientific model for more than a century. Most commonly known for models in studies involving vaccines, reproduction, ophthalmology, and toxicology, rabbits are also models for several other disciplines including orthopedics, vascular disease, genetics, and atherosclerosis. Add their remarkable ability to create both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and you have an incredible animal model. However, rabbits also have a reputation for being difficult to handle within the laboratory setting. This often leads to stress for both the rabbits and those individuals working with them.

This webinar will discuss the relationship between the laboratory rabbit and the humans with whom they work. It will also cover simple habitation techniques, enhanced enrichment ideas, refined housing paradigms, and refined handling procedures. These actions not only aid in reducing stress, but in creating a partnership with laboratory rabbits.

About the speaker: Evelyn K. Skoumbourdis, MS, LATg

Evelyn is currently the technical training specialist for the University of Pittsburgh with the Department of Laboratory Animal Research (DLAR). She holds a bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University in psychology, and a master's degree in biopsychology from Shippensburg University. During the initial part of her career as a neuroscience research technician, Evelyn developed a profound desire to improve the lives of animals with whom she worked. This passion led to a role as an enrichment specialist, where she focused on enhancing animal welfare for all species in her care. However, her desire to engage with the medical aspects of animal care prompted a transition to a 17-year tenure as a research veterinary technician supporting a large variety of animals and studies. Now, with her unique blend of experience, Evelyn is committed to fostering positive outcomes for both the animals and the people of the University of Pittsburgh research community through specialized training and care.

Registration: https://tuni.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JSPDprblQq62Cg3mR9BZew

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Registration for this webinar is required (This webinar will be locked when the meeting room limit (300) is reached). During the webinar, please keep your cameras off and your microphones muted. After the main talk, we have time for discussion where you can participate with your face and voice!

Register for LERU workshop

The League of European Research Universities (LERU) is organising a workshop for early-stage scientists in early September 2026, which will focus on the effective communication of science with a focus on communicating science including animal experimentation. The workshop will touch upon the key issues relevant to communicating science based on animal experiments, including the importance of transparency, when and how to best communicate science, and what to do when it all goes wrong.

In case you are interested, please submit a brief letter of motivation (maximum 1 side of A4) and your CV, plus email address, to the named contact at your university by end of April 2026.

For the University of Helsinki, please contact Pirjo Laakkonen (pirjo.laakkonen@helsinki.fi) and Henna Moore (henna.moore@helsinki.fi).

More information about the workshop could be found here.

Successful candidates will be notified by the LERU Office by the end of May 2026. Each LERU university can nominate three people, of which one will be chosen to attend, more in case of residual places.

The 24 LERU universities are: University of Amsterdam, Universitat de Barcelona, University of Cambridge, University of Copenhagen, Trinity College Dublin, University of Edinburgh, University of Freiburg, Université de Genève, Universität Heidelberg, University of Helsinki, Universiteit Leiden, KU Leuven, Imperial College London, University College London, Lund University, University of Milan, Ludwig‑Maximilians‑Universität München, University of Oxford, Sorbonne University, Université Paris‑Saclay, University of Strasbourg, Utrecht University, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich.

LERU ANIM Workshop poster-1_page-0001.jpg

save the date!

Annual FIN3R Symposium 2026 will take place on October 28-29th, 2026 at University of Eastern Finland (Kuopio). More information will soon follow!

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