The NC3Rs has appointed Professor Jane Hurst as member of its Board. The NC3Rs is a UK-based scientific organisation dedicated to replacing, refining and reducing the use of animals in research and testing (the 3Rs).
Professor Jane Hurst is the William Prescott Chair of Animal Science and Head of the Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group at the University of Liverpool. Her main research interests are scent communication in mammals, animal welfare (particularly that of laboratory animals), humane rodent pest control, the evolution of different mammalian social strategies, and the interactions between behaviour and disease. She led the original research into non-aversive mouse handling methods, which won the 2010 3Rs Prize and has since been developed into key resources in partnership with the NC3Rs. Jane was awarded an OBE in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to animal welfare.
Professor Jane Hurst said: “I am delighted to join the NC3Rs’ Board. The NC3Rs is world-renowned for leading both the development and implementation of approaches to replace or refine animal studies, and to reduce the numbers of animals required, so that costs to animals used in research are minimised. The staff employed by NC3Rs are amazingly dedicated and enthusiastic in their roles, and I am excited to work with them and the other Board members to help drive forwards the NC3Rs mission.”
Jane is one of five new members to join the NC3Rs Board. Members of the Board are experienced scientists and animal care professionals based in leading research organisations. While they come from a range of professional backgrounds, they share a commitment to the NC3Rs mission and a proven aptitude for decision-making in science policy.
The NC3Rs’ work is overseen by the Board, which is chaired by Professor Kevin Shakesheff of the University of Nottingham. Professor Shakesheff said: “The NC3Rs is fortunate to have a Board full of people who are committed to our mission and they make a great contribution to shaping our future. I’m excited about the potential of 3Rs research across the UK and internationally and our new Board members will help us, with partners across the world, accelerate the impact of the 3Rs to facilitate even better science.”