TurnKey award winners announced

Animal Lab News and TurnKey Award sponsor Tecniplast USA Inc. have announced two award winners to be honored at this year’s conference.

Leader of the Year
Ronald W. Gordon, manager of animal facilities at Wesleyan University in Middleton Conn., has been named the 2007 TurnKey Facility Leader of the Year. The Facility Leader of the Year Award recognizes a laboratory animal professional who exhibits outstanding leadership and promotes the highest standards in the care and use of laboratory animals.

Gordon, BA, MALS, RLATG, has more than 30 years of laboratory animal experience beginning at Yale University where he co-authored Yale’s first Animal Welfare Bibliography. In addition to his facility management role, Ron chairs the Wesleyan IACUC and was praised for his familiarity with federal regulations and taking the lead in reporting and compliance responsibilities. Ron was noted for his employee recognition programs and encouraging continuing education and certification for staff members. He is an active volunteer and participant in several organizations including serving on the editorial boards of the The LAMA Review and the Journal of AALAS. The letters and recommendations in support of Ron’s nomination for the award cited his leadership skill and his ability to manage, motivate, and inspire his staff.

Facility of theYear
The Harvard Biology Research Infrastructure has been named as the 2007 TurnKey Facility of the Year. The Facility of the Year Award recognizes outstanding achievements in the design/build of a new or renovated laboratory animal facility. The award is intended to showcase new ideas and accomplishments in facility design, construction, and operation. Architects Tsoi/Kobus & Associates designed the facility.

The Harvard BRI is a 72,000 sqare foot, two-floor underground facility built to replace facilities scattered around the campus. With the goal of supporting high-end research, the design, planning, and construction highlighted the considerations and challenges in building a complex facility. Tsoi/Kobus & Associates, along with Skanska USA Building, GPR Planners Collaborative, and Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting Engineers, was noted for the innovative combination of adaptation to the site, underground construction, automation, and facility design.

An award ceremony will take place at a luncheon sponsored by Tecniplast at the TurnKey Conference on April 10, 2007.

The 2007 TurnKey Conference focuses on all aspects of building or renovating a laboratory animal facility. This annual conference delivers useful information on the latest technology and trends in facility construction, renovation, and equipment. TurnKey 2007 is two days of presentations, courses and exhibitions.