BRAD 2023 WEBINAR
Title: Understanding and Countering Life-Changing Childhood Trauma via Nonhuman Animal Research
Studies in nonhuman animals provide vital information that helps us understand how early-life experiences can significantly affect development and lifelong health. Thanks to such efforts, we now know that environmental and experiential factors, including aversive caregiving environments and heightened stress, leave damaging, lifelong marks on our genetic makeup (DNA). In this talk, Dr. Roth will highlight some of this work, as well as data demonstrating that these genetic changes that occur early in life can be repaired. Altogether, this research helps us understand the brain’s capacity to change as a result of our experiences. It reveals some of the mechanisms driving the development of behavior and identifies important strategies for assisting individuals who have endured extreme stress in their early lifetimes. This research also serves to guide public policy decisions that seek to help current and future generations.
NEW FOR BRAD 2023: Rat tickling has taken the animal research world by storm with its ability to mitigate stress and anxiety in the research setting and improve the human-animal interaction. New this year, the BRAD webinar featured a live rat tickling demo by a Certified Rat Tickler, as well as a glimpse into a rat vivarium at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca’s Rare Disease Unit. Megan Gerhardt was up-close and personal as she highlighted the enrichment and care provided to these small but critical animal research heroes.
The BRAD 2023 Webinar was sponsored by Tecniplast.
Previous BRAD Webinars
2022 - Gone fishing: How zebrafish can teach us about human health and disease - Dr. Florence Marlow, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
2021 - From Monkeys to Children: What Nonhuman Primates Can Teach Us About Psychiatric Disorder - Dr. Margaux Kenwood, University of Wisconsin - Madison
2020 - Progress in Mental Health: The Role of Animal Research - Dr. Thomas Prevot, University of Toronto
Click here to watch the recorded webinar!
2019 – Organ Recovery and Transplantation Through Animal Research – Dr. Matthew Bacchetta, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
2018 – A Journey to the Center of the Fetal Brain through Animal Research – Dr. Irina Burd, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
2017 – Advancements in Reconstructive Transplantation: The Role of Animal Research – Dr. Gerald Brandacher, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
BRAD PLANNING WEBINARS
Building Your Best BRAD 2020
Date: Tuesday, February 18th 3-4 PM ET
Need some planning inspiration? Want to see new materials for BRAD 2020? Interested in hearing from form BRAD participants? BRAD Founder and Program Director, Dr. Logan France, discussed how to get started in planning your event, including strategies for reaching your target audience and maximizing exposure. Attendees heard tips from former BRAD participants and saw various games and activities that can be incorporated into regional events.
Click here to watch the recorded webinar.

BRAD 2019: Tips, Tricks, and What's New?
Date: Tuesday, February 26th 3-4 PM ET
During the first BRAD webinar, Dr. Logan France discussed planning, logistics, ideas, and activities to incorporate into your own events, and attendees got a sneak peek at new items for BRAD 2019. Participants had the chance to ask any questions they had, and new BRAD coordinators heard the success stories (and lessons learned) from some of our BRAD veterans.
Click here to watch the recorded webinar.
Click here to download the slides.

BRAD 2019 Planning Q & A
Date: Tuesday, March 26th 3-4 PM ET
How do you engage people at your BRAD table? Do you have tips for answering challenging questions about animal research? What do I do if someone reacts negatively? AMP’s BRAD Program Director, Dr. Logan France, participated in a video Q&A and answered last minute questions about hosting BRAD 2019!
Click here to watch the recorded webinar.
