Massachusetts Society for Medical Research

We promote and enhance biomedical and biological research, including the humane care and use of animals, for the improved health and well-being of people, animals, and the environment.

The goal of MSMR is to foster a better understanding of biomedicine by improving basic literacy in and enthusiasm for the biological sciences among the public, the media, and future generations.

Although we are a member organization, and membership services are of utmost importance, a great part of our work is directed to the public in general.

Education is necessarily a major component in the pursuit of our mission. We teach students; we train teachers; we develop curricula that increase science literacy and promote understanding of the importance of biomedical research to our lives.

MSMR Announces the Results of Our

Laboratory Animal Care Workforce Study

Half of all biomedical research in Massachusetts relies, at some point, on laboratory animal research. Trained workers with a variety of skills are needed to provide care and perform research activities.

A trained laboratory animal care workforce is essential to assuring that Massachusetts and all of New England remain competitive and in the forefront of biomedical research nationally and internationally.

MSMR engaged the UMass Donahue Institute to survey the research community and analyze its laboratory animal care workforce training and education needs, future size, hiring and retention challenges, and the community's suggestions for strengthening the workforce.

This is the first such study ever completed in the region, and MSMR and its members will use the results of this survey to initiate a number of education projects and communications programs.

To read the Executive Summary of the Laboratory Animal Care Workforce Study, click here.

MSMR Members may read the entire report in the For Members section.

An Important Professional Development Opportunity

Investigation, Institutional Committees

and Innovation

September 25 - 26, 2008

Waltham, MA

How can IACUCs, IRBs and IBCs fulfill their responsibilities while dealing with advances in technology and research practice?

Learn from the experts and your peers in 1½ days of presentations, case studies and hands-on exercises. Academic, industry and regulatory leaders will guide sessions on topics ranging from Emerging Issues in Imaging Technology to FDA Humanitarian Use, and from BSL 4 Facilities to The Changing Paradigm for Animal Research.

For the agenda, click here.

To register, click here.

MSMR Poster Contest Winners

We are pleased to announce the following winners in our 17th Annual Student Competition.

This year, taking a cue from our What A Year! science website, we asked the competitors to create a poster that exemplified a recent advance or discovery in biomedical research. Scientific posters are one of the important methods by which researchers share results with the colleagues.

Congratulations to these winners and thanks to all students and teachers who participated.

In the Level I (grades 7 & 8) category

1st place

Not awarded

2nd place

Bridget Morris

The West Middle School

3rd place

Max Li

The West Middle School

In the Level II (grades 9 - 12) category

1st place

Elizabeth Garai

Buckingham Brown & Nichols School

2nd Place

Bella Hu

Sharon High School

3rd place (tie)

Courtney Buchanan

Norfolk County Agricultural High School

Sarah Dumas

Norfolk County Agricultural High School

Thanks to our Competition Sponsor

Wyeth Research

MSMR Supports

The Year of Science 2009

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science (COPUS), and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) are uniting to make the year 2009 a focal point for a nationwide effort to engage the American public in activities that will stimulate their interest in and appreciation of the processes and nature of science.

MSMR has joined a growing number of other science and education groups, universities, private companies, and individuals that are supporting and participating in this initiative from across the disciplinary spectrum.

You and your organization can participate. To learn more or to add your institution to the list of participating organizations, go to the Year of Science 2009 website here.

To become involved in planning MSMR's YOS2009 activities, please e-mail us here.

What A Year!

It's July and you're on vacation, but What A Year! never rests.

We're creating exciting new stories about biomedical breakthroughs. Look for the first of our new series right after Labor Day!

Visit our free student website called What A Year!

Each month you can learn about medical breakthroughs, what they might mean for future cures and treatments, and a little about the people who dedicate their lives to research. To go to What A Year! click here.

LAB Notes: Nutrition is a fun, informative 16-page introduction to nutrition and nutrition science for students in grades 7 and higher. Download it by clicking here.

Casey's Awakening - Ideal for Middle School Students Our illustrated storybook, Casey’s Awakening, takes its characters – a classroom of elementary school students – on a tour of a laboratory animal research facility. For middle school students. This is one of MSMR’s most popular educational tools, and it’s free to Massachusetts teachers participating in MSMR-sponsored programs. To learn more about Casey's Awakening, click here.