Dr. Duran-Struuck discusses the passion, inspiration and support that guide him as a lab animal veterinarian, researcher and mentor in subfields of biomedical research.

What has inspired you to work with animals in biomedical research?

First, I was inspired by the breadth of animal species that laboratory veterinarians care for on a daily basis. Any relatively large institution is like a little zoo: we see exotic species we would never treat in private practice. Second, we are advocates for research animals. This responsibility is paramount. Veterinarians help ensure that animal participants are well cared for and that their lives matter. Third, the need to be proficient in clinical medicine, research, animal husbandry, facility management and operations, and regulatory affairs makes this field extraordinarily challenging and engaging. Fourth, interacting with professionals from other disciplines broadens our medical and scientific knowledge daily. In turn, we educate our colleagues about nonhuman species. This symbiosis can lead to life-long professional friendships and is the cornerstone of true comparative medicine.

How did your education prepare you for a career with animals?

I pursued several postdoctoral fellowships and a PhD focused in transplant immunology. As veterinarians we are trained to work with multiple species and to view the animal (or human) as a whole individual; this arms us with special tools like lateral thinking, which comes naturally to veterinarians. We can gather information targeted for a dog, cat or horse and apply it to another species, always maintaining a sound rationale. Lateral thinking has proven invaluable in my research and allows me to answer experimental questions by aligning data from less obvious sources.

The hardest part for me was animal use. It is imperative for me to ensure that all studies have impeccable experimental design. As I gained experience and a reputation in the field of transplant immunology, I was able to provide advice to colleagues, which further promoted the principles of 'reduction' and 'refinement' of animal use in our research. Furthermore, in my own studies, my veterinary training helped me fine-tune the welfare of my animal research subjects.

I have been lucky to align myself with superb veterinarians, scientists, students and technicians, and to have wonderful family and friends. Their support and mentorship has had a monumental impact. Surrounding myself with compassionate, generous and disciplined mentors, identifying what to focus on during difficult periods of my life and practicing patience, even when little is left, has helped me achieve my goals. As a veterinary scientist, protecting the well-being of research animals has been centric and key to my ethical perspective. This in turn benefits the outcomes of my experiments. Overall and most importantly, I try to always maintain optimism and enthusiasm.

What aspects of your work do you find most gratifying?

There are so many! My passion remains in animal well-being, education and transplant immunobiology. Teaching students, residents, physicians and technicians is extremely rewarding, especially as I watch students blossom into their careers. Communication is not as easy as I thought—every person learns differently— but I learned how to effectively teach and communicate by observing my mentors. Finally, having the time every day to read an immunology article and think about problems that can help patients in the clinic, whether human or animal, provides me with a fresh breath of air.

How do you manage the challenges that you encounter in your work?

My approach is to tirelessly be open and never give up. Because there are many problems, one must be able to learn to prioritize and enjoy looking for solutions. These may not come quickly at first, so patience is key. Do not rush at the first solution that comes to mind, yet do not be afraid to make decisions as long as they have a sound rationale. Consult and ask for help from your network, and above all never be afraid to say “I do not know.”

How do you balance teaching, research and veterinary responsibilities and prepare students for a career in research with laboratory animals?

My responsibilities are all complementary and act in synergy. I teach biomedical researchers the value of animal life, the regulations involved, and that using animals is a privilege, not a right. I teach veterinarians experimental design and rigor. And I help them understand why scientists, often facing budget limitations, make decisions that may appear counterintuitive.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in laboratory animal science?

Have passion, patience and a sense of humor.