Dr Geoff Dandie

Geoff holds a B.Sc. (Hons) and a Ph.D. (Medicine) from Monash University and over 40 years of experience working in a variety of roles that all revolve around research using animals, Animal Ethics Committees and the essential work they do.

Initially, this was as a medical research scientist during 25 years working on a range of research projects looking at immune regulation, cardiovascular surgery, carcinogenesis, periodontal surgery and paediatric immunology.  The use of animal models and all the associated AEC processes were an integral aspect of all that work, which resulted in a close working relationship with each relevant AEC that then led on to my being drafted onto the AEC as a Category B member.

Membership of one or more AEC remained a constant aspect of my work for the remaining 28 years, transitioning from Category B membership, through AEC chair to Category C membership and eventually Category E membership with progressive career changes.

Geoff’s research career ended as a result of being appointed as the CEO of ANZCCART (Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching Ltd.).  In this role, he became a resource for anyone working on, with or as a member of an AEC and needing advice or guidance about the scientific use of animals, AEC operations for the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (The Code).  As a part of this role, Geoff was responsible for organizing and running an annual conference that focussed on AEC Operations and the Code that grew into a regular source of training and support for AEC members across Australia and New Zealand.  During this time, the Code recommended (and now mandated) independent, external triennial review of AEC operations and institutional animal ethics came into force and Geoff took on an active role in the process, chairing over thirty review panels and undertaking a number of individual reviews around Australia over the past 18 years.

Since finishing up after 15 years with ANZCCART, Geoff has been working for the past two years in research administration as an Associate Director of Research Infrastructure at a research-intensive University in NSW.  A major part of this role has involved oversight of a number of animal facilities and the Animal Services Unit, including supervision of the construction and commissioning of a new $38M facility.  Transferring operations from an aging facility into a brand-new, purpose-built facility was an opportunity to review and update all unit policies and procedures as well as the culture of the team, all of which has helped to result in a top-class team working in a world-class facility.

Geoff has provided advice and guidance on ethics and integrity within the animal research sector for more than 20 years.  He has also performed leadership roles within national and regional advisory bodies and used his knowledge and experience in the sector to encourage and facilitate the development of processes, resources and training for AEC members in Australia and New Zealand.

INVITED SPEAKER PRESENTATIONS:
Dandie, G.W. (1992 – 1997) The Ethical Use of Animals in Australian Medical Research. Invited lecture delivered annually to students at Hobart’s 8 Matriculation Colleges. This lecture was designed to give students an insight to the regulations associated with animal experimentation as a part of their Medical Ethics option in year 12 Advanced Biology course.

Dandie, G.W. (2017) Experimental Pathology Using Animal Models of Disease. Invited Speaker presentation at the annual conference of the Molecular and Experimental Pathology Society of Australasia held in Sydney December 2017

PUBLICATIONS:
Dandie, G.W. (2006). Report on the International Consensus Meeting on Carbon Dioxide Euthanasia of Laboratory Animals. ANZCCART News 19(2): 1 – 7.

Dandie, G.W. (2008) (Ed) Proceedings of the 2007 ANZCCART Conference “Getting it Right” 10 – 12 July, 2007. Melbourne, Australia.

Dandie, G.W. (2008). NHMRC Animal Welfare guidelines to promote the wellbeing of animals used for scientific purposes. ANZCCART News 21(2): 2.

Dandie, G.W. (2008). (Ed) Proceeding of the 2006 ANZCCART Conference “Responsibilities – the 4th R”. 3 – 5 September, 2006. Canberra, Australia.

Dandie, G.W. (2009). 2009 – A year of animal welfare milestones. ANZCCART News 22(1): 1 – 2.

Dandie, G.W. (2009). (Ed) Proceedings of the ANZCCART Conference 2009 “AEC – Best Practice” held 28th to 30th July in Port Douglas Queensland, Australia.

Dandie, G.W. (2010) Honorary Life Memberships of ANZCCART awarded. ANZCCART News 23(2): 1 – 2.

Dandie, G.W. (2010) ANZCCART AEC Member award ANZCCART News 23(2): 3.

Dandie, G.W. (2011) ANZCCART Honours lifetime achievements. ANZCCART News 24(2): 1 – 4.

Dandie, G.W. (2011) ANZCCART 2011 AEC Member of the year announced. ANZCCART News 24(2): 5.

Dandie, G.W. (2011) Serving on an Animal Ethics Committee – A Hospital Pass or a Valued Distinction? In: Science with feeling: animals and people. Proceedings of the ANZCCART Conference held in Rotorua, New Zealand, 26 June – 28 June 2011. Pp. 35 – 40.

Dandie, G.W. (2011). Developing Alternatives. ANZCCART News 24(3): 2 – 5.

Dandie, G.W. (2011). Disaster management in animal facilities. ANZCCART News 24(4): 1- 5.

Dandie, G.W. (2012). ANZCCART to mark its 25th Anniversary. ANZCCART News 25(1): 1.

Dandie, G.W. (2012). The Role of an AEC in 2012: An exercise in compliance or an ethical review? ANZCCART News 25(1): 3 – 5.

Dandie, G.W. (2013). Is it Finally Time to do the Maths? ANZCCART News 26(1): 1 – 3.

Dandie, G.W. (2013). What if Extinction is Not Forever? [Editorial] ANZCCART News 26(2): 5 – 7.

Dandie, G.W. (2013) The Code Has a New Name. ANZCCART News 26(2): 1 – 3.

Dandie, G.W. (2013). Animal Welfare Decision Faces Legal Challenge. ANZCCART News 26(3): 1 – 3.

Dandie, G.W.[Editor] (2014) Can We Do Better? Proceedings of the 2013 ANZCCART Conference held in Sydney Australia 23rd – 25th July 2013 (160 pages).

Dandie, G.W. (2014) Animal Welfare: Cuts Across the Board. ANZCCART News 27(2): 4.

Dandie, G.W. (2014) Testing Drugs in Animal Models. ANZCCART News 27(4): 2 – 3.

Dandie, G.W. (2014) Can We Further Refine Humane Killing with CO2? ANZCCART News 27(4): 3 – 4.

Dandie, G.W. (2015) Experimental Design: Balancing Statistics with Biology. ANZCCART News 28(1): 1 – 3.

Dandie, G.W. (2015) Pilot Study Design. ANZCCART News 28(2): 3 – 4.

Dandie, G.W. (2015) The Question of Enrichment. ANZCCART News 28(3): 1 – 3.

Dandie, G.W. (2015) Research Models: Is Animal Experimentation the Gold Standard? In: Animal Ethics – The Gold Standard. Proceedings of the 2015 ANZCCART Conference held on the Qld Gold Coast 21 – 23 July 2015.

Dandie, G.W. [Editor] (2015) Animal Ethics – The Gold Standard. Proceedings of the 2015 ANZCCART Conference held on the Qld Gold Coast 21 – 23 July 2015.

Dandie, G.W. [Editor] (2016) Warning About Radio-Collar Design. ANZCCART News 29(1): 1-3.

Dandie, G.W. (2016) ANZCCART Guidelines for the Humane Killing of Cane Toads. ANZCCART News 29(2): 1 – 6. (Also published as an ANZCCART Fact Sheet in 2016).

Dandie, G.W. (2017) The 3Rs – Is it a question of perspective? ANZCCART News 30(1): 1 – 7.

Dandie, G.W. (2017) Moves to tighten research statistical parameters and their potential ramifications for animal use. ANZCCART News 30(2): 1 – 4.

Dandie, G.W. (2017) ANZCCART Formally endorses ARRIVE and PREPARE Guidelines. ANZCCART News 30(3): 1 – 6.

Dandie, G.W. [Editor] (2017) Man or Mouse. Proceedings of 2016 ANZCCART Conference held in Melbourne 19th – 21st July, 2016.

Dandie, G.W. [Editor] (2018) Keeping it Relevant. Proceedings of the 2018 ANZCCART Conference held in Canberra 24th – 26th July, 2018.

Dandie, G.W. [Editor] (2019) Breaking Down Laboratory Walls. Proceedings of the 2019 ANZCCART Conference held in Hobart, Tasmania 23rd – 25th July, 2019.