Niya Richardson
Houston,Houston
Summary
Certified Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) with extensive experience supporting complex in vivo biomedical and translational research programs within academic and healthcare research environments. Demonstrated expertise in laboratory animal husbandry, rodent colony management, animal health surveillance, procedural support, anesthesia monitoring, animal restraint, and regulatory compliance across multiple species including mice, rats, swine, dogs, non-human primates, and zebrafish. Experienced working within specialized biohazardous, chemical hazardous, and radioactive research environments while maintaining strict compliance with institutional policies, IACUC requirements, animal welfare standards, and safety regulations. Proven ability to support veterinary staff, investigators, and research personnel through animal care, procedural assistance, breeding colony management, census administration, and training of new employees. Recognized for strong technical skills, attention to detail, leadership potential, and commitment to advancing high-quality biomedical research.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN
Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston, Texas
03.2025 - 02.2026
- Provided comprehensive husbandry, health monitoring, and research support for laboratory animals utilized in biomedical and translational research programs.
- Managed and monitored in vivo rodent colonies housed within specialized biohazardous, chemical hazardous, and radioactive research environments while ensuring compliance with biosafety, radiation safety, and regulatory standards.
- Assisted veterinary technicians, veterinarians, and research personnel with rodent and large animal procedures including animal preparation, restraint, anesthesia monitoring, physiological observation, and post-procedural recovery monitoring.
- Assisted with administration of research compounds, medications, and therapeutic agents according to approved protocols and study requirements.
- Conducted daily health assessments and behavioral observations, promptly identifying abnormalities and communicating findings to veterinary and research personnel.
- Managed animal census records and colony inventories, ensuring accurate population tracking, animal accountability, and compliance with institutional requirements.
- Maintained detailed documentation related to animal care, health observations, treatments, breeding activities, facility operations, and regulatory compliance.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams consisting of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, researchers, and principal investigators to support successful execution of research studies.
- Maintained strict adherence to IACUC standards, institutional policies, biosafety procedures, and animal welfare regulations.
ANIMAL CARE ATTENDANT
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
10.2023 - 03.2025
- Supported daily operations within a large-scale comparative medicine and biomedical research program involving multiple species and diverse research models.
- Performed animal handling, restraint, identification, husbandry, and procedural preparation in support of preclinical and translational research studies.
- Managed rodent breeding colonies including breeding pair setup, colony maintenance, pup weaning, sex determination, population tracking, and maintenance of breeding records.
- Assisted veterinary and research personnel with animal procedures, protocol implementation, and research support activities while maintaining animal welfare standards.
- Conducted routine animal health observations and environmental monitoring to ensure compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.
- Managed animal census activities, maintained accurate colony records, monitored population trends, and supported facility-wide animal inventory management.
- Assisted in training and onboarding newly hired animal care personnel by demonstrating husbandry procedures, animal handling techniques, sanitation practices, documentation requirements, and facility workflows.
- Prepared research and husbandry supplies, equipment, and materials necessary to support animal care and research operations.
- Maintained accurate records related to animal care, environmental monitoring, breeding activities, census management, and facility operations.
- Collaborated effectively with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, researchers, and laboratory personnel to ensure efficient and compliant facility operations.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Sciences
University of Houston
Houston, Texas06-2028
Skills
- In Vivo Biomedical Research Support
- Rodent Breeding Colony Administration
- Animal Census Management
- Laboratory Animal Husbandry
- Animal Health Surveillance
- Multi-Species Laboratory Animal Care
- Rodent and Large Animal Handling and Restraint Techniques
- Anesthesia Monitoring
- Procedural and Surgical Support
- Veterinary Technical Support
- Regulatory Compliance
- Animal Welfare Standards
- Research Documentation and Record Management
- Personnel Training and Mentorship
- Bio-safety and Laboratory Safety Procedures
- Cross-Functional Scientific Collaboration
Certification
Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT)
Timeline
ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN
Houston Methodist Hospital
03.2025 - 02.2026
ANIMAL CARE ATTENDANT
Baylor College of Medicine
10.2023 - 03.2025
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Sciences
University of Houston