EPAA Awards

EPAA Awards 2010

The EPAA Poster Award is given for a poster presented by universities or NGOs. For 2010, posters in competition had to related to the 2010 lead theme on Reduction and Refinement.  The award consists of financial support equivalent to €1500 to be used for reimbursement of expenses related to 3Rs activities (e.g., in support of research, dissemination activities or participation of the authors in relevant conferences or workshops).

A selection panel composed of EPAA representatives from the European Commission and industry has reviewed about 20 posters from academia or NGOs that were accepted for presentation at the Conference. Out of these, the panel agreed to award the poster of:

Drs Derek Fry and Michelle Hudson (FRAME)

for the poster

“Training for Reduction”

The winning poster can be viewed here

*
*      *

Out of the 13 posters presented by industry, the EPAA recognition for “best poster from industry”, to which no financial prize is attached, was granted by the selection panel to

Dr Volker Strauss et al. (BASF)

for the poster

 “Reduction through refinement: the application of metabolomics in vivo under REACH”

The poster can be viewed here

*
*      *

In the framework of its policy to promote alternative approaches to animal testing, the EPAA launched this year two awards, the EPAA Communication Price, and the EPAA Science Award.

The EPAA Communication Price, worth 3000 €, awards an article that broadens awareness of the role of safety assessment and regulatory compliance in product development and that promotes replacement, reduction and refinement approaches. As this year the EPAA’s lead theme is the unveiled potential of the 2Rs, we asked particular attention for Reduction and Refinement. The article should help inform the wider policy community and decision-makers about the opportunities and challenges, including limitations, offered by scientific and technological progress

A selection panel composed of representatives of industry, Commission services and the EPAA Mirror Group reviewed the 7 submissions and decided to award the EPAA 2010 Communication Price to

Dr. Sarah Wolfensohn

for her article

“Alternative approaches to animal testing – the challenges and limitations”

Dr Wolfensohn was the Head of Veterinary Services at the University of Oxford. She is an established expert on laboratory animal management and welfare. The award panel distinguished her article for its clear explanation of a technical topic, namely this year’s theme: the opportunities and limitations of 2Rs (Reduction and Refinement) approaches within the context of product development and safety.

These are the links to Dr Wolfensohn's article and presentation  at the Conference.

*
*      *

2010 was also the year in which the EPAA launched the EPAA Science Award.

One of the concepts identified by the EPAA to promote alternatives is the "Market Place". It is a meeting point between those who develop methods and approaches, those who approve and accept them, and those who use them or need them.

Another key idea of the EPAA was to better involve young scientists, and to draw their attention to the large potential of modern toxicology, alternative approaches and regulatory compliance.

Against this background, the EPAA Science Award, worth up to 100 000 €, is destined to a  scientist based in Europe with less than 5 years post-doctoral experience, to allow the  extension of an existing postdoctoral contract for a period of up to one-year.

The objective is to promote the transition from innovative and experimental alternative approaches towards their industrial application and regulatory acceptance.

Following a recommendation made by a panel composed of representatives of industry, Commission services and the EPAA Mirror Group, the EPAA Steering Committee decided to attribute the EPAA Science Award to

Dr. Felix Spöler

Institute of Semiconductor Electronics of the
Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule

for his project

Proofing the relevance of the Ex Vivo Eye Irritation Test (EVEIT)
as a self-contained in vitro substitute for the Draize Eye Irritation Test