Welcome to the Academy of Surgical Research!
As President of the Academy of Surgical Research (ASR), it is both an honor and a privilege to welcome you to our community.
For more than four decades, ASR has brought together individuals who share a passion for advancing surgical research and improving outcomes through education, innovation, and collaboration. Our members include surgeons, veterinary professionals, technicians, anesthetists, researchers, students, educators, and industry scientists from academic institutions, contract research organizations, and the medical device and pharmaceutical industries.
While our backgrounds may differ, we are united by a common purpose: to advance the science and practice of surgical research while supporting the people who make that work possible.
My own journey with ASR began more than two decades ago as a new member seeking knowledge and guidance. What I found was far more than a professional organization. I found mentors who invested in my growth, colleagues who became lifelong friends, and a community that challenged and inspired me throughout my career. Those experiences shaped not only the professional I have become, but also the leader I strive to be today.
One of the greatest strengths of ASR is its commitment to developing and supporting surgical research professionals at every stage of their careers. Whether you are just entering the field or are an experienced leader, there is a place for you here. I encourage you to explore all that the Academy has to offer:
• Advance your career through our professional certifications, including the Surgical Research Anesthetist (SRA), Surgical Research Technologist (SRT), and Surgical Research Specialist (SRS) credentials.
• Stay informed through cutting-edge scientific publications in our journal, Surgeries.
• Connect with experienced professionals, mentors, and subject matter experts who can support your professional growth.
• Explore grants, scholarships, educational resources, and training opportunities designed to foster career development and excellence in surgical research.
For our members, additional benefits include:
• Reduced registration fees for the Annual Meeting.
• Access to member resources, webinars, presentations, and educational content.
• Networking opportunities with colleagues across academia, industry, and contract research organizations.
• Practical insights and technical expertise shared through our Surgical Savvy newsletter and member communications.
As we look toward the future, I encourage each of you to become actively engaged. Share your research, present your ideas, volunteer your expertise, and help mentor the next generation of surgical research professionals. The strength of ASR has always come from its members and our collective commitment to advancing the field.
Together, we will continue to promote excellence in surgical research, foster meaningful professional connections, and inspire the innovations that ultimately improve patient care and scientific discovery.
Please join us for the 43rd Annual Meeting at the Wyndham in Atlanta, Georgia on September 29 – October 1, 2027. Until then, stay connected by following us on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Thank you for being part of the Academy of Surgical Research. I look forward to serving you and working alongside you in the years ahead.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Darcy Gagne
President, Academy of Surgical Research
Overview
Founded in 1982, the Academy of Surgical Research promotes the advancement of professional and academic standards, education and research in the arts and sciences of experimental surgery. The Academy interfaces with medical and scientific organizations, and governmental agencies in establishing and reviewing ethics, theories, practices and research pertaining to surgery and promotion of the results for clinical application.
Mission
The Academy of Surgical Research fosters interdisciplinary transfer of ideas and theories by offering a common platform through which the reporting of valid surgical research efforts is a reality.
The Academy of Surgical Research was founded to:
- Encourage, foster, promote, and advance professional and academic standards, education, research, and development in the arts and sciences of experimental surgery.
- Promote, initiate, support, and accomplish academic and practical educational programs, cooperative research, and development in experimental surgery in the public interest.
- Promote humane use and treatment of experimental animals and prevent their use when other means can bring about the same scientific results.
- Cooperate with medical organizations, other scientific organizations, government agencies, and other interested parties in establishing, reviewing, and evaluating ethics, theories, practices, and research pertaining to surgical research and promotion of the product of surgical research for clinical application.
- Encourage the advancement of the field of surgery in all aspects, including research, education, and critical promotion of research products for clinical applications.
Bylaws
The ASR is a corporation registered in the State of Minnesota, USA. The principal office may be located inside or outside the state of Minnesota. The ASR may have such other offices, either within or without the State of Minnesota, as the Board of Directors may determine necessary or desirable. The ASR shall have and continuously maintain in the State of Minnesota, a registered office and a registered agent. The registered office and the registered agent may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
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Board of Directors
Staff
Academy of Surgical Research Education Foundation
The mission of the ASR Education Foundation shall be to advance the profession of surgical research through supported educational activities. Continuing education awards shall be made in a non-discriminatory basis to selected individuals working in the surgical research field.
Founding Members
Association Solutions, Inc.
Colonial Medical Supply
Data Sciences International
Kent Scientific Corporation
Jan Bernal
John Cody Resendez
Lomir Biomedical
MPI Research
Paul & Erlinda Kirkman
Primate Products
Randy Pielemeier
WIL Research
Grants & Scholarships
Foundation Grant
The Foundation Grant is available to current Academy members. The recipient is awarded a one year ASR Annual Dues and/or ASR Annual Meeting Registration. The number of award recipients per year is dependent on available funds, the number of applicants, and is at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Submission deadline for ASR Annual Dues is December 31st and June 30th for the Annual Meeting Registration Fee. The committee will announce grant award recipient(s) no later than January 15th and July 15 th of each year.
- Complete the application located here.
- Include a letter of recommendation from your manager or supervisor. This letter should detail your experience in surgical research, and any other information which would support your application for support from the Academy’s Foundation.
- Grant decisions will be based on flexible criteria to include: Academy membership, grant application content, relevance of the applicant’s profession to the Foundation’s mission, personal motivation and financial need. Individuals in the early stages of their career who are active Academy members will be given preferential consideration.
- If you are chosen for a grant, you may need to pay initially and then be reimbursed for the amount of the grant awarded.
Ken MacLeod Memorial Scholarship
The Ken MacLeod Memorial Scholarship is open to both Academy members and non-members. Up to two scholarships are awarded annually to be used in support of sitting for one of the ASR certification exams.
Submission deadline is June 30th for the ASR Certification Exam Fee. The committee will announce scholarship award recipient(s) no later than July 15th of each year.
- Complete the application located here.
- Include a letter of recommendation from your manager or supervisor. This letter should detail your experience in surgical research, and any other information which would support your application for support from the Ken MacLeod Memorial Scholarship.
- Scholarship decisions will be based on flexible criteria to include: scholarship application content, relevance of the applicant’s profession to the scholarship mission, personal motivation and financial need.
- If you are chosen for a scholarship, you may need to pay initially and then be reimbursed for the amount of the scholarship awarded.
Randy Pielemeier Memorial Scholarship
The Randy Pielemeier Memorial Scholarship provides travel assistance, and meeting registration for a member to attend the annual Academy of Surgical Research (ASR) meeting.
Randy Pielemeier worked in surgical research for over 30 years and was very active within the Academy of Surgical Research. During his tenure with the Academy, he served as Director at Large on the Board of Directors as well as Chairman of the Program and Membership Committees. He received several ASR awards, including the Barry Sauer Award for the highest score on the SRS exam (2000), and the Andreas Von Recum Award for outstanding contributions to the Academy and the field of investigative surgery (2013). Randy had an encyclopedic knowledge of surgery and enjoyed collaborating with peers in the field. He frequently presented at ASR annual meetings and was an adamant supporter of ASR as a platform for sharing knowledge and fellowship with the surgical research community.
This scholarship is funded by Charles River Laboratories, Inc. in Mattawan, Michigan. They pledge to support a Memorial Scholarship with the Academy of Surgical Research in memory of Randall Pielemeier, a novel and tenured, Surgical Research Specialist at its Mattawan, Michigan facility. The Randall Pielemeier Memorial Scholarship supports an individual who adopts the essence of Randy’s innate ability to seek innovative animal research surgical solutions. The scholarship is open to any members who are in good standing with the Academy. Financial need and/or activity in the Academy will be evaluated and positively noted. The scholarship will fund travel within the United States, to and from the host city and hotel during the meeting. The scholarship winner will be required to prepare and present on an anesthesia or surgical research topic during the annual meeting.
Applicant will submit their application to the board for review. The BOD will select and present one scholarship from all applicants.
Award Amount: Up to $1,500 in travel reimbursement plus meeting registration depending on location.
Scholarship decisions will be based on flexible criteria to include scholarship application content, relevance of the applicant’s profession to the scholarship mission, personal motivation, and financial need.
- Complete the application located here.
- Be a current Academy of Surgical Research member.
- Currently working in the field of surgical research focusing on either surgery or anesthesia.
- Letter(s) of support from applicants’ management and peers, which include background and your impact on your area of focus within surgical research.
- Submit a 350 word or more essay on the impact this scholarship would have: including background, financial need, and involvement with ASR.
- Submit an abstract for a fifteen to twenty-minute presentation during the annual meeting. This can cover any areas in experimental surgery from anesthesia to model development.
- Attend the Business/Awards luncheon at the Annual Meeting to personally accept the award.
Foundation Grant
2017: Ashleigh Bone, SRS, RLATg, MLAS, BA
2016 (First Year): Stacy Ly, SRS, RLATG
Ken MacLeod Memorial Scholarship
2017: N/A
2016 (First Year): Nina C. Bishop, B.S., RLATG
Corporate Partner Program
The Corporate Partner Program is a way for companies in the surgical research world to show their support and leadership in maintaining the highest levels of surgical research.
From a practical standpoint, participation in the program gives Corporate Partners access to ASR members and their expertise, specifically working with various surgical research tools and technologies in a variety of animal models. Being an ASR Corporate Partner shows your dedication to being a leader in the surgical research field.
