Wilkerson Named Director of Laboratory Animal Resource Center
James Wilkerson, DVM, JD, has been appointed as director of the UCSF Laboratory Animal Resource Center (LARC) within the Office of Research of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost.
Wilkerson succeeds Clifford Roberts, DVM, who has served as director of LARC and as interim associate vice chancellor of research (AVCR). Roberts has provided more than 10 years of excellent service to UCSF in these roles, and he will continue to support the AVCR, the AVC for Ethics and Compliance, and LARC. Roberts also provides advisory support to UC Office of the President and the ten-campus UC system on veterinary care, policy and facility issues.
Wilkerson will be responsible for oversight of all animal care and use activities, including veterinary medicine and husbandry services, training for investigators and staff in the proper use and handling of animals, working closely with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to promote compliance with all federal, state, and university laws, regulations and policies regarding the use of animals in biomedical research and teaching.
Wilkerson will also serve as UCSF’s attending veterinarian and reports to Susanne Hildebrand-Zanki, associate vice chancellor for research. Wilkerson will support UCSF’s academic missions to perform high-quality research, teaching and health care while promoting the highest standards for animal care and welfare.
Wilkerson has been at LARC and UCSF for more than ten years, four of which he served as interim director of LARC. He was a key part of the team that worked to develop full accreditation for the UCSF animal care program with the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care. Wilkerson is a licensed veterinarian and a lawyer, and is a diplomate in the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine.