Animal Care Project Management

Michelle L. Garcia, BAAS, LVT VETERINARY RESEARCH PROFESSIONAL

TELEPHONE: 210-***-****

EMAIL: *******************@*****.***

CAREER OBJECTIVE

Seeking career advancement opportunity with a greater degree of responsibility and able to start

December 2024 (or negotiable). Capable of managing and instructing large and small teams with over 20

years of veterinary/research industry experience working in regulated research facilities with multiple

investigators, general veterinary practice research, and animal care staff.

Career experience as a Veterinary Technology Instructor and highly capable of supervising and

monitoring daily work priority scheduling, tasks coordination, and project management with emphasis on

due dates of completion. Extensive experience in authoring standard operating procedures (SOPs) and

streamlining processes for efficiency and overseeing change management to improve operations, effective

communication with leaders and junior staff.

Highly knowledgeable of federal, state and local regulations and policies pertaining to laboratory

animal health and welfare, to include working with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees and

knowledgeable of the Guide, regulations (i.e., OLAW, USDA, FDA), and compliance requirements

pertaining to the Animal Care and Use programs for optimal veterinary care and adherence to approved

research protocols and the requirements for AAALAC International accreditation. I current hold several

active state licenses with a federally checked background and security clearance.

EDUCATION & LICENSES

• Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) 2022 Texas A & M University

• Associate of Art - Liberal Studies 2009 Palo Alto College

• Associate Applied Science (AAS) in Veterinary Technology 2008 Palo Alto College

Deans Honors List, Chi Alpha Epsilon Honors Society

• State of Texas Licensures

o Life Insurance 2024 o Notary Public 2020 o Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT,

formerly RVT) 2008

Michelle L. Garcia, BAAS, LVT

CAREER & EXPERIENCE

Animal Research Technician Full-Time 05/2024 - Present Reef System Corp; Tri-Service Research

Laboratory; FT Sam Houston, TX

Veterinary research professional supporting the animal care and use program (ACUP) in a Department of

Defense (DoD) highly secured research facility that supports various academic and military researchers for

the US Air Force/Space Force, Army, and Navy utilizing various large and small animal models and

primates. Maintains project coordination and communication (verbally and in email) with investigators

and research staff and accurate data collection and documentation. Assists with necropsy; set up, collect

and properly label biological samples, clean up and properly document the procedures. Performs animal

husbandry duties as well as prepare an animal environmental enrichment schedule and provide the

environmental enrichment in accordance with all DoD, Federal and local regulations. Collects

experimental data and animal vitals, blood analyses or other tests required as part of the approved

protocol. Reviews research protocols as well as related documents to ensure they are followed as approved

by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Air Force policies. Maintains records

as well as electronic databases of animal research protocols, their progress and perform animal inventory

management functions. Perform animal health checks and facility inspections when required and alert

veterinarians of any pertinent

concerns.

Retail Sales Associate Part-Time 09/2022 - Present Cowboy Harley Davidson, Riverwalk Mall;

San Antonio, TX

Bilingual: English/Spanish. Provides excellent customer service with amicable and courteous public and

employee relations,supporting the retail sales operations. Supports administrative and personnel operations

for managing staff, as well as handling bank deposits.

Texas Works Advisor Full-Time 03/2023 - 03/2024 Texas Health and Human Service Commission;

San Antonio, TX

Interviewed clientele for federal assistance (i.e., Medicaid, etc.) and processed cases in accordance with

state and federal regulations and established procedures, guidelines, and timeframes. Evaluated data from

various electronic and other sources to enter information into a computer-based eligibility system.

Computed and authorized benefits based on eligibility determination.

Lead Veterinary Technician Instructor Full-Time 04/2020 - 01/2022 PIMA Medical Institute; San

Antonio, TX

Maintained all Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) controlled substance logs and protocols and trained co

workers and students in use of controlled substance logs including maintaining manual and electronic

records. Established and prepared instructional materials for veterinary technician coursework via the

online learning system (Blackboard), to include courses on Emergency Procedures, Anatomy &

Physiology, Exotics, Laboratory Animal including Non-Human Primates, Pharmacology, Dentistry

Techniques, Small Animal Nursing, Laboratory Procedures and Surgical procedures. Provided didactic

and hands-on laboratory instruction to students, for all veterinary tech courses.

Senior Biomedical Animal Research Associate Full-Time 052019 - 08/2020 Alaka’Ina, US Army

Institute of Surgical Research; FT Sam Houston, TX

(Promotion; Continued Duties) Provided oversight, managed, and executed studies as written by research

scientist/principal investigators (PIs) on approved protocols. Supervised a team of five technicians,

schedule procedures in timely manner, order animals and supplies required for each protocol. Provided

basic animal husbandry, environmental enrichment and perform animal health checks for rodents, rabbits,

goats, pigs and sheep within regulatory guidelines per IACUC approved protocols. Performed in vitro

procedures to include immunohistochemical and histochemical methods for assessing soft tissue, bone

injury and regeneration as well as Western Blot, RNA, DNA and bacterial assays. Performed muscle and

Michelle L. Garcia, BAAS, LVT

tissue harvesting, mount, cryofreeze and cryosection harvested samples and the fixation of samples to

slides for microscopic evaluation. Performed necropsy of small research animals: mice, rats, rabbits and

large research animals: sheep and pigs. Provided good laboratory practices in the collection,

documentation, and properly labeling biological samples, data recording results of all procedures

completed on all research animals. Continued work as animal research surgeon.

Biomedical Animal Research Associate Full-Time 05/2016 - 02/2019 Leading Edge, US Army

Institute of Surgical Research; FT Sam Houston, TX Performed in vitro procedures to include

immunohistochemical and histochemical methods for assessing soft tissue, bone injury and regeneration as

well as Western Blot, RNA, DNA and bacterial assays. Performed muscle and tissue harvesting, mount,

cryofreeze and cryosection harvested samples and the fixation of samples to slides for microscopic

evaluation. Performed necropsy of small research animals: mice, rats, rabbits and large research animals:

sheep and pigs. Provided good laboratory practices in the collection, documentation, and properly labeling

biological samples, data recording results of all procedures completed on all research animals. Ordered

supplies and equipment for surgery, laboratory procedures as well as orders from vendors for study

animals needed to complete required functions of research mission. Provided basic animal husbandry,

environmental enrichment and perform animal health checks for rodents, rabbits, goats, pigs and sheep

within regulatory guidelines per IACUC approved protocols. Created and revised standard operating

procedures, maintain and document animal enclosure sanitation, ensure proper documentation of safety

procedures being followed, and maintained. Assisted Veterinarians in various medical procedures such as

surgery preparation, equipment set up, prepare IV lines and monitors such as ECG, blood pressure and

SPO2. Maintained both gas and constant rate infusion (CRI) anesthesia for multiple animals independently

as required per approved research protocol. Collected all experimental data, to include TPR, blood

pressure, daily weight, collect blood samples for blood analyses and report any pertinent animal health

related issues to veterinarians. Performed venipuncture, intravenous and arterial catheterization, intubation

of endotracheal, nasogastric/orogastric tubes, collect samples for parasitology tests and other diagnostic

tests. Performed minor procedures to include routine dentals, wound care, suture lacerations, bandaging,

injections, assist with ultrasound, radiographs, CT, MRI as well as controlled burns on swine under

IACUC/AAALAC regulations. Maintained paper and electronic documentation of animal medical records

to comply with regulatory requirements. Reception duties: check in and check out as well as various forms

of payment collections.

• Provided oversight, managed, and executed studies as written by research scientist/principal

investigators (PIs) on approved protocols.

• Supervised a team of five technicians, schedule procedures in timely manner, order animals and

supplies required for each protocol. Provided basic animal husbandry, environmental enrichment

and perform animal health checks for rodents, rabbits, goats, pigs and sheep within regulatory

guidelines per IACUC approved protocols.

• Animal Research Surgeon: Performed minor surgical procedures including femur segmental defects,

cut downs as well as carotid, jugular and femoral catheterization, tourniquet application,

hemorrhage as well as limb cooling to various species as required by approved IACUC research

protocols.

Michelle L. Garcia, BAAS, LVT

Research Veterinary Technician Full-Time 07/2012 - 12/2015 Nationwide Children’s Hospital; San

Antonio, TX

Coordinated patient exams with military doctors and technicians. Collaborated between research director

and military personnel. Collected and ship blood samples according to state/federal regulations. Acquired

all medical records of patients in guidelines with HIPAA regulations. Provided quarterly reports of daily

progress of research study. Maintained records as well as electronic databases of animal research

protocols, their progress and perform animal inventory management functions.

Veterinary Technician Full-Time 07/2011 - 07/2012 341st Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, TX

Assisted veterinarians in various medical procedures such as surgery preparation, equipment set up,

prepare IV lines and monitors. Restrained animals for exams, testing or sample collection by Veterinarian.

Assisted with emergencies such as GDV, heat casualties, snake and spider bites. Performed dentals, basic

wound care, bandaging, injections and assisted in ultrasound and radiographs. Performed kennel

sanitation to include sterilization and disinfection of equipment along with proper dog handling, grooming

and exercising. Assisted with ultrasound, radiographs, CT, MRI, as well as rehabilitation therapy: laser,

hydro and physical therapy including wet/dry treadmill.

Veterinary Technician Full-Time 01/2011 - 07/2011 Animal Hospital of San Antonio; San Antonio,

TX

Performed minor procedures to include routine dentals, wound care, suture lacerations, bandaging,

injections. Assisted with ultrasound, radiographs.

Registered Veterinary Technician Full-Time 08/2008 - 11/2010 Emergency Pet Center, San

Antonio, TX

Assisted with veterinary medical emergencies such as GDV, HBC, dystocia, pyometra, urethral/intestinal

obstructions, neuro trauma, heat casualties and envenomation. Triaged incoming patients, place IV/U

catheters, and venipuncture. Collected blood, run labs such as CBC, blood chemistry, PT/PTT, blood typing

and various other clinical tests. Performed intravenous and arterial catheterization, intubation of

endotracheal and nasogastric tubes. Assisted with ultrasound, digital radiographs, ventilator support,

surgeries, pre & post-op, monitored anesthesia and recovery. Administered medications: Antivenin,

Reglan, Metronidazole, and with various others. Maintained flow charts, performed hourly vitals and

administered treatments to patients as required per veterinarians.

Veterinary Technician Intern Full-Time 06/2007 - 08/2007 VCA Health Associates Animal

Hospital, San Antonio, TX

Maintained kennel hygiene, enrichment, and exercise for animals according to schedule. Ensured complete

and accurate maintenance of animal medical records. Administered routine, post-operative and daily

treatments to animals. Collected bloodwork for labs, parasitic tests, and other diagnostic specimens.

Restrained animals for examinations and sample collections, to include Rabies-suspected specimens.

Administered animal vaccinations and treated animals for diseases per veterinarian's prescriptions.

Hazardous material package animal specimens for laboratory pick-ups and filled prescriptions as directed

by the veterinarian.

Michelle L. Garcia, BAAS, LVT

Animal Caregiver/Kennel Attendant Full-Time 08/2006 - 08/2007 Palo Alto College Veterinary

Technician Program, San Antonio, TX

Maintained kennel hygiene, enrichment, and exercise for animals according to schedule. Ensured complete

and accurate maintenance of animal medical records. Administered routine, post-operative and daily

treatments to animals. Collected bloodwork for labs, parasitic tests, and other diagnostic specimens.

Restrained animals for examinations and sample collections. Administered animal vaccinations and

treated animals for diseases per veterinarian's prescriptions. Hazardous material package animal specimens

for laboratory pick-ups and filled prescriptions as directed by the veterinarian.

Veterinary Technician Full-Time 09/1999 - 07/2004 341st Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, TX

DoD Military Working Dog (MWD) Handler; Assisted veterinarians in various medical procedures such

as surgery preparation, equipment set up, prepare IV lines and monitors. Restrained animals for exams,

testing or sample collections. Performed dentals, basic wound care, bandaging, injections and assisted in

ultrasound and radiographs. Performed kennel sanitation to include sterilization and disinfection of

equipment along with proper dog handling, grooming and exercising.

SKILLS

• Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy& physiology

• Software/ Equipment: Avimark, Animal Intelligence, E Vet, WDMS, as well as HESKA and

IDEXX.

• Microsoft Office Software: Word, Planner, Teams, Outlook, Excel, Access, PowerPoint,

SharePoint, OneDrive

OTHER

Certificates of Completion

• Animal Health Assistant

• MWD Handler

References

Available upon request/ interview.

Contact this candidate