Engaging Researchers on Animal-Free 21st Century Science

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and Johns Hopkins University Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) host a workshop series focused on animal-free new approach methods (NAMs) in research and testing. These free online workshops feature nonanimal research and career development presentations by experts from across industry, academia, government, and policy.

Workshop No. 4, A NAMs-Focused Literature Searching Approach

Date: October 29, 2025
Time: 10 AM ET/4 PM CET via Zoom

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Workshop Summary

Workshop No. 4 will feature Rob Wright of the Welch Medical Library outlining an effective approach for identifying studies in the literature that use new approach methodologies (NAMs). This approach will be illustrated in PubMed and be applied to developing a search concept for organoids and microphysiological systems.

In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn a structured, NAMs-focused approach to searching the scientific literature. Using PubMed, Rob will demonstrate how to build a targeted search concept, with a focus on organoids and microphysiological systems (MPS). Participants will be guided through best practices in search strategy development and gain practical skills that can be transferred to other NAMs topics and databases. Whether you're new to NAMs or looking to refine your literature search techniques, this session will equip you with essential tools to find high-quality, animal-free research more effectively.

About the Speaker

Rob Wright, MLS, is a basic science informationist within the Welch Medical Library at Johns Hopkins University. He has developed searches for evidence synthesis projects with the Evidence-Based Toxicology Collaboration and the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing. He has also taught searching techniques for systematic reviews and for identifying new approach methods/methodologies in courses in the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Workshop No. 3, Exploring Brain MPS, Organoid Intelligence & Career Pathways

Workshop No. 3 featured both a scientific presentation and a career panel. Dr. Itzy Morales Pantoja presented on recent advances in brain microphysiological systems that are reshaping how we model neurological function and disease. The career panel featured representatives from academia, industry, government, and policy sharing their career journeys and discussing their current work.

Career Panel:

• Eryn Slankster-Schmierer, PhD – Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
• Annalisa Gastaldello, PhD – Joint Research Centre of the European Commission
• James J. Hickman, PhD – Hesperos
• Itzy Morales Pantoja, PhD – Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing

Workshop No. 2, Antibodies and Beyond: The Power of Animal-Free, Recombinant Antibodies

Workshop No. 2 featured Dr. Esther Wenzel, Co-Founder and COO of the biotechnology company Abcalis GmbH. Dr. Wenzel gave an interactive and informative introduction to antibodies including how they are developed, how animals play a role, and what the advantages and disadvantages of animal-free antibodies are.

Workshop No. 1, Understanding Translatability and Crafting Competitive Grant Applications

Workshop No. 1 featured Dr. Jarrod Bailey, Director of Medical Research at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, discussing how human-focused research provides greater clinical benefits, due to greater biological similarity and specificity of human-based methods and Dr. Angela Hvitved, Program Director at the Alternatives Research & Development Foundation, providing an overview of funding opportunities for nonanimal research methods and practical tips for crafting a strong proposal that is tailored to the target funding opportunity.