Patri Vergara – President

Dr. Patri Vergara, DVM, PhD, DipECLAM, is a Professor and researcher at the School of Veterinary Science, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona.

She is course co-ordinator for: FELASA-Accredited courses (functions a, b, c, d); UAB-ECLAM training program; Master Course in Laboratory Animal Science and Welfare, and Certificate in LAS and Medicine. She is also responsible for SIAL/UAB (Integrative services for laboratory animals at UAB), and acts as the distribution centre for ICLAS Laboratory Animal Quality Network programs.

David Smith – Past President

Dr. David Smith, PhD, CBiol, MRSB, MPhil, FBTS, EUROTOX Registered Toxicologist, is a retired Senior Director of Toxicology at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. His career spanned almost 50 years in Pharmaceutical Research and Development in the discipline of toxicology.

He is a Past-President of ETPLAS, FELASA, and the UK Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA) where he received their Medal for services to LAS.

Nuno Henrique Franco – President-elect

Dr. Nuno Franco has degrees in both Biology and Science Education, and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. He is a researcher at the i3S (University of Porto) on the topics of laboratory animal welfare, animal ethics and the 3Rs.

He is a board member of SPCAL  and of Animal Research Tomorrow, and coordinates the Portuguese Network of Animal Welfare Bodies – RedeORBEA.

Marcel Gyger  – Honorary Secretary           

Dr. Marcel Gyger has degrees in life sciences, and a PhD in Ethology.

He is a consultant on topics of laboratory animal science and welfare.
He is currently ETPLAS Honorary Secretary and FELASA Vice-President for Education and Training.

Hanna-Marja Voipio – Honorary Treasurer

Prof. Hanna-Marja Voipio, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ECLAM, is the Director of the Oulu Laboratory Animal Centre at the University of Oulu in Finland.

She is a Laboratory Animal Scientist, and member of the Finnish National Animal Experiment Board and National Committee for the protection of animals used for scientific and educational purposes. She was FELASA president in 2017-2018, and has been a president of the ScandLAS and ESLAV. She is currently a member of the credential committee in ECLAM, and member of the ICLAS Governing Board.

Ismene Dontas – Communications Officer

Dr. Ismene Dontas, DVM, PhD, is a Professor and Director of the Laboratory for Research of the Musculoskeletal System at the School of Medicine, University of Athens.

She is course Organiser of a FELASA accredited course, member of the FELASA Accreditation Board of Education & Training, member of the National Committee for the welfare of animals used for scientific purposes and president-elect of the Hellenic Veterinary Academy