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Dena Pellecchia, who recently joined Mispro Biotech, shares how she got hooked on the animal research field and gives advice to others interested in management careers.

How did you become involved in the animal research field?

My mom motivated me to pursue this career path. Thanks to her patience and our common love for animals, we had multiple pets while I was growing up in Long Island: dogs, cats, gerbils, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, parakeets, fish, you name it! When I was a sophomore in high school, I started attending a small animal care vocational program each afternoon. Though I had initially intended to attend veterinary school, my teacher in the small animal care program convinced me that by pursuing a pharmaceutical industry career, I would learn so much more about scientific research and animals. By attending the vocational program in high school, I truly had a 'leg up' over the other students in the vet tech program in college.

Tell us about your job as an Operations Manager at Mispro Biotech.

I just started this position in June, and boy, have I been busy! This is a new 27,000-ft2 vivarium facility in Manhattan. Mispro offers complete animal husbandry and veterinary support services for pre-clinical research activities. Some of my current responsibilities include securing vendors for supplies and equipment; recruiting staff for husbandry and technical positions; overseeing procedures to sanitize and decontaminate the facility for commissioning and occupancy; and devising job descriptions, standard operating procedures, guidelines, training and proficiency programs. Once the vivarium opens, I will be busy managing and directing staff, coordinating facility operations activities and assisting with IACUC committee oversight.

Which factors influenced your decision to become a manager?

After spending nearly 10 years working in the pharmaceutical research industry as a veterinary technician, surgical technician, study coordinator and animal caretaker, I realized I enjoyed interacting with and training others. Several of my earlier positions entailed 'unofficial' leadership-type responsibilities, such as heading up the operations on a floor and training new investigators on facility procedures and guidelines. I was confident that these experiences would provide me with the foundation to develop into a successful manager.

What makes an effective supervisor?

Some of the most important qualities of an effective supervisor include patience, understanding, courage, fairness, flexibility, creativity, good listening and communication skills, knowledge and a sense of humor!

Tell us about your involvement with organizations in the lab animal field.

I have been an active member of AALAS since 1991 and have attended various meetings and conferences. I hope to someday run for a position within AALAS. I strongly suggest that anyone interested in management within the animal research industry should attend the Institute for Laboratory Animal Management (ILAM). I am an ILAM graduate and I had a blast during both of the years I attended ILAM. The networking was unbelievable! I made many friends and learned so much about how others do things at their institutions. It really opened my mind to innovative ideas and methods.

Do you have any suggestions for people who want to pursue management careers in the lab animal field?

Try to find out as much as you possibly can about animal research so that you have a thorough understanding of the field. As many of us know, this industry is completely misunderstood. There is a particular stigma associated with it, and it can be a tough topic to broach with people who are misinformed about the undertakings of animal research.

Try to sample different positions in the field (e.g., take job shares, part-time roles or spend free time with a tech or supervisor), so that you can get a better idea of what you truly enjoy doing. Personnel management is not for everyone. At times, it requires thick skin and can unfortunately turn friends into enemies. Make sure that you don't just want to be 'in charge' because there is much more responsibility that goes along with the title of 'Manager'. As with any career, I honestly feel that it is best to start at the bottom and move up the ladder. This gives you a true sense of what each role entails. When you understand what you are actually managing, it makes you a better manager.

Is there anything else you would like to share with Lab Animal readers?

Don't ever be afraid to ask questions. After all, we all can't possibly know everything. Not knowing something doesn't make you weak or stupid; it makes you more perceptive and intelligent because you're demonstrating that you are continually striving to learn more. Lastly, have fun and do what you love to do. You only live once!