BCLAS Working Groups

BCLAS has several active working groups, each with its own unique mission and area of expertise. These groups are made up of dedicated professionals from academic institutions, industry, and research organizations, who voluntarily commit their time and knowledge to strengthen and support the field of Laboratory Animal Science (LAS) in Belgium.

Each working group focuses on a specific theme, such as ethical evaluation, animal welfare, practical in vivo work, or scientific communication. Together, they form a strong foundation for collaboration, innovation, and the promotion of best practices within the community. Through these initiatives, BCLAS aims to foster continuous education, responsible animal use, knowledge exchange, and strong connections between institutions and individuals involved in LAS.

Below, you’ll find an overview of all current working groups, their missions, and their members. This structure provides insight into the diverse and dynamic work being carried out to advance the goals of BCLAS and support the broader LAS community.

WG Symposium

Mission

The Symposium working group is responsible for the organization of the annual BCLAS symposium, which aims to bring the LAS community, including BCLAS members, Experts in the field of LAS and Commercial players together to promote the dissemination of information & to provide high quality education & training on themes in line with BCLAS objectives.

This group selects the theme of the conference, draws up the program and approaches relevant speakers. In addition, this group helps to select a suitable location and develop an engaging social program. For the practical aspects, such as making appointments with the conference center and communicating with exhibitors, we work together with an external event agency.

Working Group members:

  • Katleen Hermans  (lead)
  • Stéphanie DE VLEESCHAUWER
  • KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
  • Karlijn DEBUSSCHERE
  • UGent, Ghent, Belgium
  • Julie KIEBOOMS
  • Zoetis, Zaventem, Belgium
  • Gaëlle LAPOUGE
  • ULB, Brussels, Belgium
  • Alberto PEREIRA
  • GSK, Rixensart, Belgium
  • Wendy ROOSEN
  • UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
  • Anne VERMEYLEN
  • UNamur, Namur, Belgium

BENAWB – Belgian Network for Animal Welfare Bodies

Mission

BENAWB facilitates and maintains a platform for AWBs in Belgium to learn from each other and to join forces to ensure optimal AWB functioning.

The mission of the AWB platform is to:

  • Promote networking and exchange of info between AWBs
  • Provide training to AWB members (and others)
  • Serve as a source of information (regulations, practical/technical, …)
  • Set up good practices and partner with the local authorities and national committee to help with clarification of legislation, advice on AWB member competencies, good practices in LAS, etc.

Working Group members:

  • Piet Dierckx, J&J  (lead)
  • Sophie Hernot, VUB
  • Thomas Steckler, J&J
  • Katrien Moerloose, VIB
  • Alberto Pereira, GSK
  • Liesbeth Vermeire, KU Leuven
  • Jill Witters, J&J
  • Angelo Willems, VUB
  • Fannny hontoir, Unamur
  • Kaat Neckerman, J&J

WG EC Platform

Mission

The Working Group EC Platform facilitates and maintains a platform for ECs in Belgium to learn from each other and to join forces to ensure optimal EC functioning. Guiding in this is the pursuit of ethically responsible use of animals. Animals have a value in themselves and may experience pain, suffering and distress. Therefore, society can only allow the use of animals in experiments on the basis of an ethical consideration.

The mission of the EC platform is to:

  • Promote networking and exchange of info between ECs
  • Provide education & training to EC members (and others)
  • Serve as a source of information (regulations, practical/technical, …)
  • Set up good practices and partner with the regional authorities and regional committees on laboratory animals to help with the interpretation of the legislation, advice on EC member competencies, good practices in LAS, etc
  • Strive for uniformity in project evaluation by the different ECs
  • Network with similar organizations in other countries

Working Group members:

  • Filip Mulkens (lead)
  • Thomas Steckler, J&J Innovative Medicine
  • Kris Meurrens, K.U.Leuven
  • Solveig Mouterde, UCLouvain
  • Katleen Hermans, UGent
  • Anne Vermeylen, UNamur

BCLAS Live

Mission

  • Encourage sharing experiences working with laboratory animals beyond the borders of our institutions
  • Discuss best practices and how to implement them in our daily work
  • Share stories of success and difficulties with all who are interested
  • Encourage networking opportunities and have contacts in different institutions who can help with laboratory animal related questions

The aim is to focus on the challenges and needs of day-to-day in vivo work, and offer support beyond the boundaries of our institutions.

Working Group members:

  • Stéphanie De Vleeschauwer, KU Leuven (lead)
  • Yannick Raeves, J&J Innovative Medicine (lead)
  • Tom Meeuws, J&J Innovative Medicine
  • Valentijn Vergote, KU Leuven
  • Kristel Coupet, Remynd
  • Bo Bauwens, VIB -UGent
  • Marleen Lox, KU Leuven
  • Ine Adriansen, J&J Innovative Medicine
  • Jolien Leyens, J&J Innovative Medicine
  • Silvia Pinto, KU Leuven
  • Amélie De Wilde, GSK

WG Communication

Mission

The mission of the WG communication is to communicate information regarding continuous education, animal welfare and alternative methods as well as changes in legislation towards the BCLAS members. For this, the WG will use the BCLAS website and dedicated newsletters for its communication. Furthermore, in time, communication towards external parties should also be taken up by this WG.

Working Group lead:

  • Karlijn Debusschere