Dr. Brian Fowlkes has been named to the newly created position of executive director of the Animal Use and Care Program, effective Oct. 24. Reporting directly to the vice president for research, Fowlkes also will serve as deputy institutional official (DIO) overseeing and coordinating the university’s compliance to animal use and care regulations.

A member of the U-M community since 1988, Fowlkes is professor of radiology at the Medical School, and professor of biomedical engineering in the College of Engineering. He is widely recognized for his research on biomedical imagery, particularly using ultrasound, and on image-guided therapy. In the course of his research, he has developed a deep understanding of the issues surrounding the use and care of animals in the university environment.

“Professor Fowlkes’ background and interests are particularly well suited to this role, and I am certain that he will be able to strengthen the university’s on-going commitment to the humane use and care of animals in its research and educational programs,” says Stephen Forrest, vice president for research.

The position was created on the recommendation of a task force charged with assessing the operations of the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM), based in the Medical School. ULAM has had the responsibility for both the operational and, through the affiliated University Committee for the Use and Care of Animals (UCUCA), the regulatory aspects of animal use and care at the university. After an internal review and comparison to practices at other universities, the task force recommended separating UCUCA from ULAM in order to reduce the perception of conflict of interest and provide greater transparency for the animal program.

Accordingly, UCUCA now is funded and administered directly by the Office of the Vice President for Research. Fowlkes will oversee the office’s efforts to foster and oversee the responsible and humane care and justified use of animals in research and instruction at U-M.

His first task will be to bring an institutional perspective to animal facilities space management, working with ULAM and with schools and colleges outside the Medical School. Following up on recent assessments of our animal husbandry facilities, there are economies of scale that can be introduced through a larger, institution-wide perspective brought by the new DIO.

As DIO, Fowlkes will act on behalf of the vice president for research, who serves as institutional officer, to play an active role in coordinating management and oversight of animal care and use universitywide.