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Kathrin
Herrmann
,
PhD

Senior Associate

Contact Info

Research Interests

Refinement of science; 3Rs; humane education; critical appraisal of animal models; quality of research and testing; new approach methodologies; non-animal methods; human-relevant science; animal welfare science, ethics, and law; zoonoses; plant-based nutrition
Experiences & Accomplishments
Education
PhD
Freie Universität Berlin
2019
DVM
Freie Universität Berlin
2003
Overview
Kathrin Herrmann is a veterinarian and assistant scientist at the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. At CAAT-US as well as CAAT-Europe (based at the University of Konstanz, Germany), she coordinates the Refinement Program. During her veterinary training, which involved studies in Berlin, Germany and Zürich, Switzerland, and clinical trainings at Cornell University, USA, Massey University, NZ, and University of Pretoria, SA, Kathrin was engaged in many animal protection issues. Animal experimentation and the 3Rs have been her primary focus since she became a research fellow at the Animals Scientific Procedures Inspectorate in Berlin (2007-2017). After a 4-year residency program, Kathrin became a veterinary specialist of animal welfare and ethics in Germany in 2014. Since 2016, she is an accredited European Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law with the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine. For her PhD studies (2012-2018), supervised by Professor Paul Flecknell, she reviewed German animal research applications to determine whether all existing refinement measures were being proposed as a means of reducing animal suffering to the absolute minimum. Her other interests relate to advocating for openness and public engagement in animal experimentation and for humane education. Kathrin initiated and co-edited the in spring 2019 published book “Animal Experimentation: Working Towards a Paradigm Change” (Brill open access), which features 51 authors who review current animal use in science, present new and innovative non-animal approaches to address urgent scientific questions, and offer a roadmap towards replacement. The book is available through open access at https://brill.com/view/title/35072?lang=en
She also raises awareness of the important role veterinarians should play in animal protection, and she promotes a vegan and sustainable lifestyle. In fall/winter 2020/21, Kathrin is co-organizing and hosting a Webinar Series on Animals, Climate Change and Global Health, together with Charlotte Blattner, University of Berne, Switzerland, and Eva Meijer, University of Wageningen, The Netherlands. The series of six seminars with leading experts from around the world, has the aim of inspiring an in-depth conversation – and actions – at the nexus animals x climate change x global health. More information and free registration: https://animalsclimatehealth.com
Select Publications
Most recent publications
  • Herrmann, K., Pistollato, F. and Stephens, M. (2019). Food For Thought...Beyond the 3Rs: Expanding the use of human-relevant replacement methods in biomedical research, ALTEX - Alternatives to Animal Experimentation, 36(3), pp. 343-352. Available at: https://www.altex.org/index.php/altex/article/view/1301
  • Herrmann, K. (2019). Refinement on the way towards replacement: Are we doing what we can?. In: K. Herrmann and K. Jayne, eds. Animal Experimentation: Working Towards a Paradigm Change, Vol. 22, Leiden: Brill, pp. 3-64. Available at: https://brill.com/view/book/edcoll/9789004391192/BP000002.xml
  • Herrmann, K. and Flecknell, P.A. (2019). Retrospective review of anesthetic and analgesic regimens used in animal research proposals. Alternatives to Animal Experimentation, 36(1), pp. 65-80. Available at: https://doi.org/10.14573/altex.1804011
  • Herrmann, K. and Flecknell, P.A. (2018). Application of humane endpoints and humane killing methods in animal research applications – a retrospective review. Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, 46(6), pp. 317-333. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330502849_The_application_of_humane_endpoints_and_humane_killing_methods_in_animal_research_proposals_A_retrospective_review
  • Herrmann, K. and Flecknell, P.A. (2018). Severity classification of surgical procedures and application of health monitoring strategies in animal research proposals – a retrospective review. Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, 46(5), pp. 273-289. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329324086_Severity_classification_of_surgical_procedures_and_application_of_health_monitoring_strategies_in_animal_research_proposals_A_retrospective_review