The goal of the VCRS is to increase the knowledge of respiratory physiology and pathophysiology of domestic animals, for the benefit of both the human and veterinary biomedical communities. In order to accomplish this goal, scientists must be trained in the correct use of these models and techniques. To that end, the VCRS recently has added a workshop (including laboratory demonstrations) to the beginning of each VCRS symposia.

This year’s workshop will highlight: (1) approaches for detecting air or environmental contaminants and (2) methods for assessing the potential adverse respiratory health impact of exposure. Tours of human and animal inhalation exposure facilities will be included.

7:30 – 8:00 AM Registration and coffee.

Morning Sessions

8:00-8:45 AM "An introduction to air pollution monitoring methods”
Speaker, Davyda Hammond, PhD, USEPA, ORD, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC.

8:45 – 9:30 AM “Introduction to modeling pollutant exposures and assessing at risk populations” Speaker, Lisa Baxter, ScD, USEPA, ORD, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC.

9:30 – 10:15 AM “Evaluation of airways inflammation and immune response elements in humans and animals” Speaker, John Lay, DVM PhD, Center for Environmental Medicine Asthma and Lung Biology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Coffee Break

10:30 – 11:15 AM “Understanding the impact of molds on indoor air quality and possible links to health effects” Speaker, Marsha Ward, PhD, USEPA, ORD, National Heath and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC.

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM “Understanding key steps in linking point source air pollutants (e.g., steel mill emissions) to health effects” Speaker, Jan Dye, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM), USEPA, ORD, National Heath and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC.

12:15 – 1:00 PM Transportation and Box Lunch – included with registration.

Afternoon Sessions

Dry “Wet” Lab Tours – See examples of how air pollutants are generated or monitored including gases, particulate matter (PM), and surrogates of real-world pollutants.

1:00 - 5:00 PM – Tours of EPA exposure and inhalation research facilities in Chapel Hill and Research Triangle Park, NC

Dr. Nathalie Kirschvink (Belgium) demonstrates the technique of whole body plethysmography in unrestrained cats at the Pulmonary Function Workshop, 25th Symposium of the Veterinary Comparative Respiratory Society, Purdue University, October 2007.