Kari Buchanan

• Provides daily husbandry to a variety of snake species
• General cleaning and sanitation of snake enclosures to avoid cross-contamination
• Assists with breeding programs by monitoring incubating eggs.
• Monitors temperature and humidity levels within reptile enclosures to ensure optimal conditions are maintained.
• Monitors animals for abnormalities or sickness and providing treatment as needed
• Provides inventory management by tracking all animals through identification numbers and locations within the facility.
• Keeps detailed records of breeding pairs, skin sheds, and genetic testing results

• Company Overview: Animal Care Services Dept
• Management of day-to-day operations of Cancer Genetics Research Center’s zebrafish colony including husbandry, health monitoring, breeding, equipment maintenance, and technical procedures
• Maintained a zebrafish nursery: monitored growth, survival rates, and provided specialized feeding. Prepared various larval diets, including culturing and harvesting of brine shrimp and rotifers
• Provided daily care to incubated embryos by performing water changes, removing infertile embryos and debris, and screening for phenotypical abnormalities
• Proficient working knowledge and experience of water quality parameters including maintenance of recirculating aquaculture habitats, mechanical and biological filters, and UV disinfection units
• Ensured facility and laboratory equipment was maintained, calibrated, and operating correctly; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs
• Performed technical procedures for principal investigators, such as fin clipping, in vitro fertilization, and fluorescent microscopy.
• Developed and maintained accurate, detailed records, utilizing written log sheets, and updating hardcopy and digital databases.
• Managed quarantine area to ensure biosecurity measures were being exercised to avoid cross contamination of potential pathogens to general population
• Coordinated imports and exports of animals with investigators
• Prepared animal rooms and laboratory areas for routine IACUC and EH&S inspections
• Proficient understanding of safety policies, procedures, and MSDS guidelines, including those related to biological hazardous waste
• Experienced in providing husbandry for sheep, pigs, dogs, cats, horses, snakes, lizards, chinchillas, rabbits, nonhuman primates, guinea pigs, mice, rats, pigeons, axolotls, and frogs.

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• Company Overview: Animal Care Services Department
• Provided husbandry for cats housed in Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) and Biological Safety Level II (BSL-2) areas.
• Cleaned and sterilized rodent cages, equipment, supplies, rooms (primary and secondary enclosures, support areas, cage wash), etc.; prepared refuse for disposal or incineration.
• Changed cages, transferring rodents from soiled to clean enclosures, making sure to maintain individual animal identity.
• Restrained rodents and cats for veterinary treatment and assisting research staff.
• Under supervision, I performed euthanasia using carbon dioxide, with cervical dislocation as a secondary method for mice.
• Donned appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance with facility requirements.
• Performed daily health checks by observing animal behavior, illness or injury, and reporting findings to the veterinary staff.
• Coordinated and scheduled sanitization of animal housing areas, procedure rooms, and laboratories in accordance with facility procedures.
• Maintained a good working relationship with lab staff, principal investigators, and helped with technical procedures as needed.
• Collected, prepared, and labeled samples for diagnostic testing, and microscopic examination.
• Prepared for routine IACUC, USDA, AALAS, and EH&S facility inspections.
• Trained all new employees on animal care procedures, and ensured SOPs were followed.
• Documented, reported, and placed maintenance service requests for changes in environmental parameters outside acceptable ranges.
• Collected samples such as bloodwork or fecal matter for laboratory analysis when necessary.
• Scrubbed, counted, and packed surgical instruments and drapes for autoclave sterilization.