Lauren Brierley, D.V.M., M.S., joined NEOMED in June 2023 as director of the Comparative Medicine Unit. Previously, she was an attending veterinarian with a contract research organization in Northern Ohio. Dr. Brierley, who grew up in Northern New Jersey near New York City, received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from North Carolina State University. The Pulse recently invited her to introduce herself.
What led you to NEOMED?
When I first moved to Ohio, Dr. Stan Dannemiller (the person previously in my new position) invited me down to NEOMED to tour and I thought ‘what a cool place to work.’ When Stan called me to tell me he was retiring, I knew immediately that I’d be applying for the position. I wanted work in an academic research setting where more interesting biomedical research was being done. It was a great opportunity to learn new things and advance my career.
What do you hope to accomplish in your new role?
My ultimate goal is always going to be to offer the best quality of life for the NEOMED research animals while simultaneously ensuring that we are meeting research objectives and producing good science. The NEOMED animal care and use program is a great program with some fantastic researchers and an amazing animal care/support staff. I am hoping that I can further improve the Comparative Medicine Unit by expanding the support services we offer to researchers (such as training) and by finding ways to improve clinical outcomes for sick animals.
What inspired you to work in your profession?
I took a circuitous route to get to my current profession. If you asked me 15 years ago where I’d be career-wise right now, this is not a job I would have guessed for myself. I’ve always had an interest in biomedical research due to my father having medical issues growing up and I’ve always loved animals. I had some unique opportunities doing field research in undergrad that kind of steered my path away from biomedical research for a while, but the concept of One Health got me interested in veterinary medicine, which led me to my current career. Most people are surprised when they learn I am a laboratory vet and that I very much chose this (laboratory animal medicine) specialty of veterinary medicine. I love that my job involves a little bit of veterinary medicine, research, public health and teaching and that I am always learning something new. I also love that in my role I can help promote lifesaving scientific discovery while also helping to make sure that we are using animals as ethically as possible and providing them with the best care we can.
Tell us about your family. Any pets?
I have a husband, an 11-year-old son (well technically stepson), a 1-year-old daughter, and two fur kids: Rylie (boxer mix) and Nutmeg (beagle).
What is your favorite animal? Why?
Owls probably, although honestly that’s a really hard decision to make. They are incredibly powerful and have some really cool sensory physiology, but they are also really cute and fascinating to watch.
Favorite book or book you’ve been recommending lately? Why?
I am constantly listening to audiobooks from several different genres. Picking one or even two books would be near impossible. Most recently I’ve been reading historical fiction novels.
What movie have you seen more than three times? What keeps you going back?
Pretty much any Disney/Pixar movie. My husband and I both have always loved Disney, but now with the kids, they are the main thing that gets watched in our household.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A ballerina. I was lacking talent. It was apparent even from an early age that gracefulness, timing and coordination were not my strong traits.
You’ve been handed a plane ticket to anywhere in the world. Where are you going? Why?
Almost anywhere as long as it was safe. I love exploring new places. At the moment, it would probably be Italy, due to my husband’s family heritage. Then again, the last two times I’ve tried to go to Italy I’ve had to cancel my trip plans due to major events (2001 due to September 11th and 2020 due to COVID) so the universe might be trying to tell me not to go there…
What’s the latest thing you crossed off your ‘bucket list’?
Having my daughter.
What’s the latest hobby you’ve engaged in? Why?
Tabletop board games. I like that there is such a variety of games that can be played. Some are very strategic and others are just good fun. They can bring together people of all ages, cultures, interest and intellectual levels. And before you ask no, I don’t even own Monopoly. My favorite game is a little two player game called Patchwork.