We invite you to join Animal Alliance on April 24 at 1PM ET for this timely live panel event on World Day for Animals in Labs.
“If we don’t test on animals, how will we advance medical discoveries and develop new pharmaceuticals?” A question we hear often — and exactly what this panel aims to address.
This virtual panel brings together leading experts to explore the growing field of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) — innovative scientific tools and techniques that are transforming how research and testing are conducted without relying on animals.
The session will combine expert-led discussion with live audience Q&A, offering attendees a grounded and accessible introduction to a field that is rapidly developing in Canada and globally.
This session will explore:
- What NAMs are and why momentum is building now
- Key NAM categories and integrated approaches
- Real-world examples of NAMs in practice
- How NAMs are evaluated and accepted by regulators in Canada and internationally
- Validation bottlenecks, regulatory risk aversion, data sharing, and workforce development and what a realistic roadmap looks like
Meet the Panelists
Dr. Lorna Ewart, PhD — Chief Scientific Officer, Emulate, Inc.
Dr. Lorna Ewart is Chief Scientific Officer at Emulate, where she leads the biological sciences division and plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s scientific vision across academia, industry, and regulatory agencies.
With more than two decades of experience in pharmaceutical R&D, Dr. Ewart has been a driving force in advancing bioscience and drug safety innovation in human-relevant models for drug development and translational research. Prior to joining Emulate, she founded Veroli Consulting Limited, serving as an independent scientific consultant working with academics, biotechnology companies, and pharmaceutical companies on Organ-Chips and organoids.
She is a classically trained pharmacologist, holds her Ph.D. from the William Harvey Research Institute in London, has authored over 35 publications, and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Biology and British Pharmacological Society.
Dr. Tara Barton-Maclaren, PhD — Senior Research Manager, Prioritization and Emerging Science Division, Health Canada
Dr. Barton-Maclaren is a leader in translational research, bridging innovations in modern toxicology and human health risk assessment for the protection of Canadians against the risks posed by chemicals.
As Research Manager of the Emerging Approaches Unit at Health Canada, Dr. Barton-Maclaren currently serves as the focal point for developing approaches and strategies that integrate emerging data and novel methodologies for the assessment of chemicals in the Canadian marketplace.
In support of the global transition to 21st Century Toxicology and risk assessment modernization, she contributes to initiatives under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) promoting international alignment. She also engages in scientific collaborations with thought leaders nationally and internationally in computational toxicology, Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA), and New Approach Methodologies (NAM) to accelerate the acceptance of advances in science for regulatory decision-making.
Troy Seidle — Member of Animal Alliance’s Advisory Group on Humane Science, President of the Animal Alliance of Canada Fund
Troy Seidle is an internationally recognized leader in animal-free science advocacy and regulatory transformation, working at the intersection of innovation, policy development and global systems change.
His career has centered on transforming how government, industry and academia approach biomedical and safety science—helping drive a shift from animal models toward modern scientific approaches grounded in human biology.
Today, Troy serves as board president of the Animal Alliance of Canada Fund and founding president of the Troy Seidle Foundation, a private philanthropic initiative focused on strategic development, targeted grant making and cross-sector partnerships. His current work builds on nearly two decades as vice president of research and toxicology at Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society International), where he established a global centre of expertise in animal-free science.
Troy has also served on high-level committees at the OECD, European Commission, the US Environmental Protection Agency, Health Canada and the New Zealand Ministry of Health.
Who should attend:
- Members of the public interested in human-relevant science
- Legal, academic, medical, and research professionals
- Animal welfare and advocacy organizations
- Students and educators
- Anyone seeking a clear, evidence-based explanation of new approach methodologies
Can’t make it to the live event? No problem. Register anyway and you’ll receive a full recording of the webinar along with any resources shared during the session so you can stay informed and ready to advocate for animals in Canada.
