In January 2026, I completed a two-week placement at Inotiv under the supervision of Project Manager Kelly Anderson. Inotiv is an animal breeding facility in England that supports preclinical research across academia and industry. The site houses animals of different health statuses, including specific pathogen-free (SPF), specific and opportunistic pathogen-free (SOPF), and conventional, across varying levels of biosecurity.
During my time there, I worked alongside a range of teams, including project managers, project coordinators, the breeding team, sales, and site management. This gave me a clear view of the coordination required to deliver animals to clients with precise specifications and strict timelines.
One of the most valuable parts of the experience was understanding the level of planning and responsibility involved in breeding operations. From scheduling matings to maintaining housing conditions and ensuring biosecurity, each step directly supports reliable and ethical research.
I also gained insight into the importance of biosecurity systems and animal welfare, as well as the application of the 3Rs principles (replacement, reduction, refinement) in daily operations.
Overall, this placement gave me a new appreciation for the infrastructure and teamwork that underpin preclinical research, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to see this side of science first-hand.