The BC Foundation for Non-Animal Research (BC FNAR) is proud to announce the recipient of its first funding grant under its new board of directors and trustees for 2021.
Applications were open to students and researchers across Canada developing alternatives to animal methods, as well as creative projects promoting a shift in thought on animal-use in our society. Applications were received between Jan 1st, 2021 and March 1st, 2021.
After receiving many strong applications and deliberating the merits of each, we are proud to award Dr. Charu Chandrasekera, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods (CCAAM), $20,000 for her innovative application to develop “Lung in a Dish, Animal-Free Respiratory Disease Research and Toxicity Testing.”
Dr. Chandrasekera of CCAAM responded to news of her successful application with the following statement:
“We are very grateful to BC FNAR for providing this catalyst grant to kickstart our 3D-bioprinted human “Lung-in-a-Dish” model. This is an exciting opportunity for a graduate student at CCAAM to develop our first prototype to emulate human lung physiology in a Petri dish—a venture we hope will ultimately contribute to the reduction and replacement of animals used in respiratory disease research and drug/chemical toxicity testing. Without the support from foundations like BC FNAR that embrace innovative, high-risk/high-reward, animal-free research projects, it is nearly impossible to survive in a scientific culture ingrained in animal research.”
BC FNAR is grateful to all applicants who shared their projects and research dedicated to ongoing progress towards alternatives to animal use in science. This year BC FNAR decided to fund one applicant under our new system, but we encourage all applicants to apply again in 2022.
Beyond the award to CCAAM, BC FNAR is also proud to continue its seed funding support for UBC’s course on New Approach Methods in Biomedical Science.
BC FNAR
President and Trustees.
