I have been working at Chapman University since 2020. I graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, specialization in Laboratory Animals and am a Registered Laboratory Animal Technologist (RLATG) and Certified Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR). I previously worked for UC Davis, USC, and Loma Linda in the animal research facilities and have experience working with rodents, sheep, quail, and snakes in research settings. Most recently, I obtained my Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Chapman University, further developing my business and operational skills. I have a passion for my work, enjoy mentoring others interested in the industry, and am happy to share my experiences with operational efficiency with anyone in the community!

I have worked in the Laboratory Animal field at Edwards Lifesciences since July 2017. I started in Husbandry, became a Veterinary Technician, and promoted to Veterinary Technologist. I have been a licensed RVT since 2019. I earned my ALAT certification in 2018, LAT in 2019, and LATg in 2021. I am an advisor for Mt. SAC's Animal Science and Registered Veterinary Program Committee, as well as Adjunct Professor for Animal Science courses. I have been involved with SCB AALAS since 2022.

The field of animal research is so important to me because the people I love most would not be alive if it were not for the animal heroes that were part of the cure for kidney diseases and cancers. I have always loved animals, especially livestock. I grew up with my horse, cows, goats, pigs, donkeys, dogs, chickens, cats, and the occasional leopard gecko and hamster. When not working, I am usually found with my animals, or out enjoying nature. 

I received my DVM from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2007 and completed my Laboratory Animal residency at Texas A&M University in 2011. I was the Attending Veterinarian at Baylor Scott and White from 2011 to 2017 and returned to Southern California in 2017. I am a native here and grew up in the Los Feliz/Glendale area. I currently live in Redondo Beach with my son and 7 pets. I was a lab animal husbandry technician at CalTech and City of Hope, and Caltech for 8 years prior to vet school.

I currently serve as the Treasurer for SCBAALAS and bring over 13 years of experience in the laboratory animal science field. I work as the Animal Care Manager at UC Irvine, where I’m committed to promoting high standards of animal welfare and supporting research initiatives. I earned my undergraduate degree in Animal Health Science from Cal Poly Pomona and my Master’s in Biomedical Diagnostics from Arizona State University. I am a licensed Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and hold the Certified Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR) certification through AALAS. Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and creating lasting memories.

I gained a better understanding of the importance and impact of the Laboratory Animal Research field while studying at Cal Poly Pomona for the Animal Health Science major. I began working in the field as an intern at Caltech all the way back in 2016. For the 8+ years in the field, I've worked as an Animal Care Technician, a Research Assistant, and a Lab Technical Supervisor. I've held a Board Director Position in SCBAALAS since 2021. While holding my position, I have enjoyed setting up RACE approved webinars and assisting in member appreciation events.

I love learning about new types of enrichment for our animals, especially the ones innovated by technicians in the field. At home, I enjoy playing video games, movies, and long walks on the beach.

I oversee the Biosecurity team at UCLA, where I've been since 2004. My love for skiing led me to Colorado, where I pursued my education-earning a Bachelor's degree from Colorado State University and an Associate of Applied Science from Bel-Rea Institute. I'm a licensed RVT and hold LATG and CMAR certifications. Currently, I serve as Secretary for SCBAALAS and am passionate about animal welfare and supporting the lab animal science community.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two sons, caring for our ducks, chickens, and our spirited little toy fox terrier. In my free time, you'll often find me scalloping with family in Florida, or with friends in wine country.

I am currently the Facility Manager for the Biology Department at CSU San Bernardino. I’ve been working in the animal research field for over 15 years and have had the chance to work with a wide variety of species—though I’ve always had a soft spot for cold-blooded animals.

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One of the coolest projects I’ve been part of was up on White Mountain in Bishop, where we did high-altitude fieldwork. It was an unforgettable experience that combined my love for animals and the outdoors.

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These days, I help run the day-to-day operations of our research facility, making sure everything runs smoothly, animals are well cared for, and research stays on track and within guidelines. I love supporting the work our teams do and being part of a community that’s pushing science forward.

Coming Soon!

Mom of 2 who likes to take the family to visit Universal Studios Hollywood any chance we get. One of the kiddos is a Girl Scout, so we have many activities that we attend or I assist with throughout the year. In my professional life, I have 16+ years of experience in the Lab Animal Care community: starting as a Student Assistant in the Cal Poly Pomona vivarium, to a Lab Animal Tech at USC, and I’m the Animal Care Facility Specialist at Cal State Fullerton.

Coming Soon!

I found the field of laboratory animal medicine while working as an undergraduate student in a lab that studied breast cancer, using mouse models. My mentors at the University of Michigan showed me the incredible impact they were making in science and animal welfare, and I immediately applied to veterinary school! After finishing my DVM at UC Davis, I completed my lab animal residency and postdoc in Comparative Medicine at University of Washington and then moved back to my home state of California to work as the clinical veterinarian at Caltech. In 2018, I moved into the Director role at Caltech. In addition to my involvement in our local SCBAALAS Branch, I am active in the National AALAS organization, serving on the National Program Review Committee for 9 years and Chairing the National Meeting in 2025. I've also served on the National Program Abstract Review Committee for many years and have held leadership roles in the District 8 council. I'm also involved in other laboratory animal professional organizations and serve on the ASLAP/ACLAM Compensation Survey Committee. In my free time, I enjoy gardening, hiking, skiing and being a softball and volleyball mom!

I got my start in the lab animal field at Amgen in 1995 starting in the cagewash area.  I then moved to the bay area and worked for several small bio-techs working my way up through the ranks. While I was in the bay area I served on the NCB AALAS board as the program director, VP and President in my final year.  I moved back to So Cal in 2003 where I worked for Caltech for 14 years, then at City of Hope for 2 years as a facility manager for these multiple location/multiple species facilities. I have now changed hats and am working in Sales for Geneva-Scientific selling vivarium and plant growth equipment and service.

I am the Social Media Coordinator for SCB AALAS, where I support community engagement, outreach, and education within the field of laboratory animal science. I graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and a minor in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology. I am a Registered Laboratory Animal Technician (RLAT) with previous experience at Chapman University, where I supported vivarium operations and laboratory animal care. I am currently pursuing my Registered Veterinary Technician credential at Mt. San Antonio College. In addition, I work as a zookeeper, providing daily care for lemurs, tamarins, and monkeys.

I have dedicated more than 30 years to the field of Laboratory Animal Science and have been an active member of AALAS throughout my career, participating in both the SCB AALAS and Palms to Pines AALAS branches. My path in laboratory animal medicine began  during my senior year at Cal Poly Pomona, where I contributed to research involving swine models to support the development of subcutaneous islet implants for diabetic dogs. With diabetes affecting many members of my own family, I’ve seen firsthand how profoundly it shapes daily life. That personal connection, paired with my lifelong love for animals and medicine, continues to fuel my commitment to advancing research that benefits both animals and humans.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with an emphasis in Pre-Veterinary Science and a minor in Agribusiness, and a Master’s degree in Animal Science from Cal Poly Pomona. My thesis research, conducted at City of Hope, examined matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors and their potential to delay the onset of type 1 diabetes in NOD mice.  I am a licensed Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and a Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATg).

In my current role, I manage the Animal Care Facility at Cal Poly Pomona, where I oversee daily operations and support the university’s research and teaching missions. I particularly value the opportunity to mentor students and introduce them to the principles and practices of Laboratory Animal Science. In addition to my work on campus, I serve as the Executive Director for the Orange County Podiatric Medical Association.

Outside of my professional responsibilities, I stay actively involved in my children’s dance pursuits, proudly supporting them at competitions and celebrating their achievements. As a family, we’re also enthusiastic rollercoaster fans who seize every opportunity to explore theme parks and chase new thrills together.

Since 2006, I’ve been dedicated to the Laboratory Animal Science field, beginning my career as a cagewash technician and steadily advancing to my current role as Cagewash Supervisor. Along the way, I’ve gained hands-on experience as an animal care technician and earned my LAT certification in 2023. I’m currently working toward my LATg to further deepen my expertise. In 2022, I became the TBR for the Southern California Branch of AALAS, a role that has enriched my professional journey through active involvement in branch activities and committee work. Being part of the lab animal community has been both challenging and rewarding—what seems like a small world is actually a vast network of passionate professionals who understand and support one another. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, watching movies, spending quality time with my dog Dash, and sharing great meal with my hubby.

Vinnie Guarniere III received his B.A. degree in Psychology from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York in 1990 and he has been working in the lab animal science field since May 1991. He was employed by the Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) Company’s Richard L. Gelb Pharmaceutical Research Institute in Wallingford, CT for 14.5 years where he worked as a Cage Wash Technician, Animal Caretaker, a Veterinary Technician and finally as Vivarium Operations Manager for most of his tenure. He also started and ran an antibody production service core facility for all BMS sites in the United States for over 13 years and had a research paper published in Lab Animal Science during this time. In December 2005 Vinnie relocated to Burbank, CA and he joined Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) in January 2006 as the Animal Care Facility (ACF) Manager of the vivarium of The Saban Research Institute (TSRI) of CHLA. He held this position for 5.5 years until transitioning to Ancare. He joined the Ancare Corp. in August 2011 as the West Coast Sales & Customer Service Representative.

Vinnie joined the Southern California Branch of AALAS (SCBAALAS) Board of Directors (BOD) in 2015 and since that time he has held various roles ranging from Membership Chair to Branch President in 2018 to his current role of Commercial Member Liaison. In his 34+ year career Vinnie has experience with all aspects of Vivarium operations and management, and he has played an integral role in preparing for seven highly successful AAALAC site visits. He has worked diligently as a trainer, a mentor, a research & lab animal advocate and as a representative of the lab animal science field. He was an active and involved IACUC member for over 14 years and he has experience with a diverse range of laboratory animal species including standard & immunocompromised rodents and a very wide variety of USDA covered species ranging from woodchucks to non-human primates. Vinnie is AALAS certified at the Technologist level and has been a member of AALAS for over 34 years. He is an animal lover who currently has two cats & two snakes as pets, but he has had a menagerie of species throughout the years. On a personal note, he is an avid professional musician, fitness buff, motorcycle rider & licensed professional motorcycle racer who was born and raised in Connecticut. He had a great run of almost 17 years in LA and now resides in Port Saint Lucie, Florida where he enjoys the year-round sunshine & living near his family again!