Lauren Emily Catalena
Washington,Texas
Summary
Experienced research compliance and laboratory operations leader with 20+ years in regulated biomedical and large-animal research environments. Proven expertise in IACUC oversight, GLP compliance (21 CFR Part 58), USDA and AAALAC inspections, quality assurance auditing, SOP development, and program management. Progressive leadership from veterinary technician to laboratory manager and IACUC Chair with a strong record of building compliance systems, supervising staff, managing surgical operations, and supporting complex preclinical device studies. Recognized for regulatory fluency, operational organization, and strengthening compliance culture.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Compliance Specialist
Texas Heart Institute (THI) at Baylor College of Medicine
07.2025 - Current
- Served as Vice Chair of THI’s IACUC, currently serves as Chair of THI’s IACUC.
- Performs initial and ongoing research protocol reviews and provides advice to faculty and research staff.
- Performs protocol audits as required.
- Serves as liaison for designated research protocols/studies.
- Coordinates information to meet protocol reporting requirements.
- Resolves routine issues involving research protocols including direct communication with investigators and research staff.
- Maintains databases to provide statistical information for reports, documents, and publications, as needed.
- Ensures accurate management records for regulatory review.
- Ensures compliance of animal records with institutional, government, and applicable regulatory policies.
- Reviews, drafts, and implements Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Manages the preparation of inspection reports for IACUC, USDA, and AAALAC.
- Develop and organize facility record system for all animal records/facility records.
- Texas A&M University Baylor College of Medicine
Animal Containment Laboratory Manager
Texas A&M Global Health Research Complex (GHRC)
06.2024 - 06.2025
- Reviewed and conducted quality assurance audits for all animal related records for the facility and research sponsors.
- Ensures compliance of animal records with institutional, government, and applicable regulatory policies.
- Reviews, drafts, and implements Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Manages the preparation of inspection reports for IACUC, USDA, and AAALAC.
- Maintains documentation for the Federal Select Agent Program.
- Develop and organize facility record system for animal records, facility records, purchases, and expenses.
- Distributes animal room logs, animal health records, census sheets to facility stakeholders.
- Ensures compliance of animal records with institutional, government, and applicable regulatory policies.
- Reviews, drafts, and implements Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Manages the preparation of inspection reports for IACUC, USDA, and AAALAC.
- Maintains documentation for the Federal Select Agent Program.
- Oversee the execution of animal room cleaning and maintenance, animal feeding schedules, and purchasing of animal and animal related supplies.
- Manage animal movement, transportation, penning, and storage within laboratory facilities.
- Assists staff with animal handling, sample collections, and screening of new animals.
- Develop and implement animal health reports based upon animal observation for diseases and abnormal symptoms.
- Collaborates with attending veterinarian to ensure appropriate execution of animal care practices within on-site staff.
- Prepare monthly invoices and compare actual invoicing to projected revenue targets for animal projects.
- Assists with management of animal projects including scheduling, status updates, and study reporting.
- Manages the surgical suite facility which includes scheduling, inventory review, sterilization of surgical equipment, and coordination of equipment calibrations.
- Oversees inventory of veterinary supplies, drugs, and laboratory-controlled substances.
- Directs the preparation of anesthesia procedures, surgeries, recoveries, perfusions, and post-operative treatment for sponsored research projects.
- Perform and monitor anesthesia and pre and post-operative monitoring for surgical animals.
- Provides supervision and leadership to the Animal Containment Laboratory Supervisor.
- Texas A&M University Texas A&M Global Health Research Complex
Animal Containment Laboratory Supervisor
Texas A&M Global Health Research Complex (GHRC)
10.2022 - 06.2024
- Coordinate and oversee all aspects of animal husbandry in ABSL-2 and BSL-3 Ag environments.
- Supervise animal room cleaning and feeding.
- Coordinate purchases of animal-related supplies.
- Assists research staff with animal handling and sample collections as needed.
- Assists in the screening of newly arrived animals.
- Monitor pre-operative and post-operative animals.
- Observe animals for diseases and symptoms of abnormalities.
- Works with attending veterinarian to ensure animal welfare are appropriately providing care for the animals.
- Establishes and maintains records system for animal records, purchases, and expenses.
- Monitors and records environmental parameters and conditions.
- Initiates and maintains animal room logs, autoclave/cage washer logs, animal health records, census sheets, and other essential records.
- Supervise animal movement within the building.
- Maintains surgical suite including sterilization of surgical equipment.
- Supervise penning set-up and movement/storage.
- Reviews, drafts, updates, and maintains Standard Operating Procedures.
- Maintains documentation for IACUC and AAALAC inspection reports.
- Coordinates and implements animal care training and ensures appropriate records are maintained.
- Informs and advises researchers and husbandry staff of regulations and standards relevant to individual research protocols.
- Assists with the large animal containment training program.
- Provides supervision and leadership for laboratory animal technical staff.
- Ensures all animal records are compliant with institutional, government, and other regulatory policies.
- Provides supervision and leadership for laboratory animal technical staff.
- Completes an annual health evaluation through the Biosafety Occupational Health Program, includes blood titers, respirator fit testing, and possibly vaccinations.
- Completes annual Select Agent Program training.
- Texas A&M University Texas A&M Global Health Research Complex
Technical Laboratory Coordinator - Quality Assurance
Texas A&M Global Health Research Complex (GHRC)
09.2021 - 10.2022
- Coordinating and overseeing daily quality control for all operational areas of the TAMU GHRC.
- Maintains a safe, clean, and operational lab environment.
- Ensures adherence to lab standards and practices to maximize safety and operational effectiveness.
- Conducts quality checks.
- Maintains training records.
- Provides quality guidance to ensure consistency in the TAMU GHRC research program.
- Provides research support and technical service for preclinical studies primarily utilizing large animal species. Administer anesthetic agents according to approved anesthesia protocols, maintain accurate records of administration of drugs and inhalant agents, and monitor anesthesia and physiological parameters of multiple species, pre-research animals during routine and complex procedures.
- Performs routine and non-routine technical procedures including but not limited to placement and maintenance of intravenous and intra-arterial catheters, urinary catheters, endotracheal intubations, stomach tube placement, monitor critical care patients, and research related procedures.
- Documents study activities, record raw data and all study findings (including deviations to protocol and SOP) and maintain operational records in compliance with the protocol, standard operating procedures, university occupational health and safety requirements, and applicable state, local, and federal regulations, and applicable international guidance documents. Perform quality control checks on raw data.
- Texas A&M University Texas A&M Global Health Research Complex
Technical Service Specialist
Texas A&M Comparative Medicine Program (CMP)
07.2018 - 09.2021
- Provide care veterinary health care and provide assurance health for CMP maintained research animals.
- Instruct group animal handling workshops and one-on-one technical training sessions. Ensures adequate number of animals are available for the training program.
- Oversee daily operation of the surgery and pharmacy areas.
- Maintains and schedules anesthesia machine and other equipment.
- Maintain surgical equipment including autoclaves, incubators, cautery machines, and surgical scopes.
- Perform technical procedures including blood collection, injections, anesthesia, and tissue collections.
- Perform protocol and procedures for polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies.
- Monitor results of quality control testing for cage washers and autoclaves.
- Maintain inventories of drugs and related records.
- Maintain surgical and post-surgical monitoring and care procedures.
- Texas A&M University Texas A&M Comparative Medicine Program
Veterinary Technician
Texas A&M Institute for Pre-Clinical Studies (TIPS)
02.2014 - 09.2019
- Provide research support and technical service for preclinical studies primarily utilizing large animal species. Administer anesthetic agents according to approved anesthesia protocols, maintain accurate records of administration of drugs and inhalant agents, and monitor anesthesia and physiological parameters of multiple species, pre-research animals during routine and complex procedures.
- Performs routine and non-routine technical procedures including but not limited to placement and maintenance of intravenous and intra-arterial catheters, urinary catheters, endotracheal intubations, stomach tube placement, monitor critical care patients, and research related procedures.
- Mentor and provide leadership to Vet Tech and student workers.
- Collect and assist with data compilation for preclinical research studies.
- Document study activities, record raw data and all study findings (including deviations to protocol and SOP) and maintain operational records in compliance with the protocol, standard operating procedures, university occupational health and safety requirements, and applicable state, local, and federal regulations, and applicable international guidance documents. Perform quality control checks on raw data.
- Develop specialized research surgical pack lists, prepare surgical packs, operate sterilizer, and central sterile equipment.
- Perform daily observations of research animals, administer medications, treatments, and provide routine animal health care.
- Provide post-operative and intensive care monitoring and support for research and clinical cases including nights and weekend care.
- Provide aseptic and circulating surgical support during research and clinical cases.
- Collect biological specimen and/or perform laboratory tests in accordance with the study protocol and SOP (standard operating procedures).
- Prepare and/or assist with preparation of Animal Use Proposals (AUPs), amendments, renewals, and maintaining and updating research AUP database.
- Texas A&M University Texas Institute for Pre-clinical Studies
Veterinary Technician
Texas A&M Institute for Pre-Clinical Studies (TIPS)
10.2012 - 01.2014
- Research experience utilizing swine, porcine, bovine, and canine
- Surgical support
- Texas A&M University Texas Institute for Pre-clinical Studies
Veterinary Technician/ Surgical Technician
Banfield the Pet Hospital
College Station, Texas
01.2010 - 03.2012
- Anesthesia
- Intubation
- Pre-operative and post-operative treatments and recovery
- Logging controlled drugs
- Vaccination protocols
- Handling/restraint care for animals
- College Station, Texas
Research Animal Caretaker
Texas A&M Comparative Medicine Program
06.2009 - 12.2009
- Familiar with different caging and laboratory equipment
- Assisting with research (entering data and keeping research rooms organized and stocked)
- Animal handling and husbandry
- Observation and record keeping
- Sanitation, maintenance, and cage wash
- Medicating animals
- Observing and recognizing symptoms of an unhealthy animal which can affect the research in that particular room
- Euthanasia
- Continued education and training
- Texas A&M University Texas A&M Comparative Medicine Program
Veterinary Technician/ Receptionist small animal
Aggieland Animal Health Hospital and Pet Resort
College Station, TX
01.2005 - 04.2006
- Vaccinations and meds
- Kennel work
- Receptionist duties
- College Station, TX
Breeding Technician/Breeding Manager Equine
Wichita Ranch
Brenham, TX
04.2000 - 07.2004
- Artificial insemination
- Assisting with embryo transfers
- Stallion collections
- Foaling out mares
- Vaccinations and meds
- Record keeping and observation of animals
- Receptionist duties
- Brenham, TX
Education
Bachelor of Science - Animal Science
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX01-2004
Diploma - undefined
Brenham High School
Brenham, TX01-1998
Skills
Oversight of compliance regulations
Leadership in IACUC processes
Understanding GLP and FDA regulations
AAALAC compliance preparation
Quality control and auditing
SOP formulation and deployment
CAPA process management
Surgical operations management
Large-animal anesthesia expertise
Team leadership
Experienced with Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and Planner
Data management for laboratory systems
Anesthesia equipment operation
GLP documentation management
Interests
Animal science, anesthesia, medical device industry, teaching individuals with special needs, dog sports (agility, barn hunt, dock diving, nose work, Schutzhund, herding)
Timeline
Research Compliance Specialist
Texas Heart Institute (THI) at Baylor College of Medicine
07.2025 - Current
Animal Containment Laboratory Manager
Texas A&M Global Health Research Complex (GHRC)
06.2024 - 06.2025
Animal Containment Laboratory Supervisor
Texas A&M Global Health Research Complex (GHRC)
10.2022 - 06.2024
Technical Laboratory Coordinator - Quality Assurance
Texas A&M Global Health Research Complex (GHRC)
09.2021 - 10.2022
Technical Service Specialist
Texas A&M Comparative Medicine Program (CMP)
07.2018 - 09.2021
Veterinary Technician
Texas A&M Institute for Pre-Clinical Studies (TIPS)
02.2014 - 09.2019
Veterinary Technician
Texas A&M Institute for Pre-Clinical Studies (TIPS)
10.2012 - 01.2014
Veterinary Technician/ Surgical Technician
Banfield the Pet Hospital
01.2010 - 03.2012
Research Animal Caretaker
Texas A&M Comparative Medicine Program
06.2009 - 12.2009
Veterinary Technician/ Receptionist small animal
Aggieland Animal Health Hospital and Pet Resort
01.2005 - 04.2006
Breeding Technician/Breeding Manager Equine
Wichita Ranch
04.2000 - 07.2004
Diploma - undefined
Brenham High School
Bachelor of Science - Animal Science
Texas A&M University