Contact: Maridith Geuder
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A Mississippi State alumnus who has headed a major industry research program since 1988 is the university's new director of animal resources and attending veterinarian.
Dr. Lucy H. Senter, formerly of West Chester, Ohio, will ensure university compliance with standards and procedures relating to laboratory animal welfare in all research and teaching programs. The Starkville native and 1986 graduate of MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine succeeds Dr. John Harkness, who retired earlier this year after serving in the position since 1984.
Formal approval of the appointment is expected at a future state College Board meeting.
A diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Senter has held a variety of leadership positions with Ethicon EndoSurgery Inc., a Johnson and Johnson company that develops advanced surgical instruments and medical devices. Under her direction, the organization consistently was cited by the U. S. Department of Agriculture as a center of excellence for animal care.
"We are extremely pleased to have a Mississippi State University-educated veterinarian return to head a significant regulatory program for the university," said Colin Scanes, MSU vice president for research and graduate studies. "Dr. Senter is an extremely capable professional who will continue Mississippi State's commitment to the highest standards of animal care and welfare."
Mississippi State is one of two Mississippi universities accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International, a nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs.
Senter will administer MSU's animal care and use programs subject to the regulations of the AALAC, and governing federal and state agencies.
Prior to entering the MSU veterinary medicine doctoral program, she completed a bachelor's degree in biology from Agnes Scott College and a master's in laboratory animal medicine from the University of Missouri.
During her career, Senter has earned a "black belt" certificate in the Six Sigma Process Excellence Program, a corporate management development curriculum, and been honored with several Johnson and Johnson achievement awards.
She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Industrial Veterinarians and American Association of Laboratory Animal Science, among others.