Final Day Review – WC13

The final day of WC13 may have been a half day, but it ended on a powerful note. The closing keynote speaker, Dr. Nicole Kleinstreuer, Deputy Director at the NIH, truly exemplified the spirit of innovation and resilience that has run throughout this congress.

Her talk, “Computational Intelligence and Biological Relevance: Innovating for a Safer Future,” was highly compelling. Dr. Kleinstreuer outlined transformative changes already underway at the NIH and across other agencies including the FDA and EPA. With New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) at the center of this strategy, the vision for the future is ambitious and game-changing.

Key highlights included:

• The launch of a new era for translational biology

• Creation of a standardized organoid modeling center

• Competitive rendering where animal tests are not permitted
  

Her energy, passion, and dynamism shone through in every word, bringing both clarity and momentum to the challenges and opportunities ahead.

It was no surprise, then, that Dr. Kleinstreuer was awarded a Humane World for Animals prize during the awards section—a recognition she richly deserves. Congratulations, Nicole!

This recognition carries even greater weight given the adversity she has faced. As reported by Science, she has been subjected to harassment and even death threats. The best way we could show our support was to applaud her, celebrate her award, and stand firmly by her side.

At WC13, and beyond, I stand shoulder to shoulder with colleagues worldwide in support of Nicole—and anyone working tirelessly, and often under immense pressure, to make our world safer, more ethical, and more human-relevant.

#WC13 #NAMs #3Rs