The Animal Resources Center (ARC) is a unit of the BSD which provides animal care to all of the UChicago campus, including to researchers in the Social Sciences Division, Physical Sciences Divisions, and the Pritzker Institute for Molecular Engineering. Its mission is to assist investigators with their animal research while ensuring appropriate care of all laboratory animals. Within the ARC is a team of six elite research technicians known as the Special Services Technicians (SST) led by Kristen Brockway. We wish to highlight crucial roles BSD staff play in our division, so we asked Kristen to tell us about her work and a little about herself.
What is an SST? What do they do?
We work primarily with rodents and support the BSD researchers in the ARC facilities. Half of our operation is dedicated to caring for breeding colonies by pairing breeding mice, weaning their offspring, identifying mice with unique IDs, collecting tissue for genotyping, and being in frequent communication with the labs about these important mice. The majority of our days are filled with technical requests and experimental assistance. We can be hired to perform injections, collect blood, administer oral gavage, etc. From small, one-time blood requests to months-long daily injections, we are here to help ensure the rodent research is conducted to the highest standards.
How did you train to become an SST?
I grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago and attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I received my BS in Animal Sciences with a concentration of Science, Biotechnology, and Pre-Vet Medicine. During college, I briefly worked as a vet tech in a local animal hospital. I always wanted a career with animals and after learning about animal research opportunities in college, I decided to pursue that avenue.
How long have you been at the University?
In 2021, our whole Special Services Program became University of Chicago employees, but before that I spent 13 years in animal care with Charles River Laboratories here at the University. [Note: Animal husbandry at UChicago is contracted out to CRL, so much animal care work is done by CRL employees who work closely with ARC university faculty and staff to run the overall animal program.] During this time, I held many positions: Animal Care Technician, Gnotobiotics Technician, Special Services Technician, Assistant Facility Supervisor, Special Services Supervisor. I have experienced an array of facilities, species, and have worked with so many wonderful people over the years.
What is the best part of your job?
I love that every day is different. I often get to learn new skills and meet new people. I like helping researchers get their work published and seeing the end results. I truly work with the best team of people and we manage to make every day at the office fun!
How do you explain to people outside of work what you do?
I tell people that I work with doctors and scientists to help them with their research on medicines and treatments for people and animals.
What’s a fun fact about you that is not work related?
I love spending time outdoors and am an avid camping enthusiast. My husband, children, and I spend all of our vacations hiking, fishing, and tent camping in state and national parks across the U.S.
