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NAVS’ Executive Director, Kenneth Kandaras, J.D., is retiring at the end of 2024 after 25 years of service with NAVS, the most recent six years as Executive Director. We are beyond grateful for the work he has done to lead us into a future where science can be done humanely to benefit all. Before his departure, we wanted to share some of his thoughts and experiences about the past 25 years, the present state of NAVS, and the future of our fight for animal-free research.

What were the biggest challenges you faced as executive director, and how did you approach them?

The first challenge stemmed from a familiar and troubling dilemma: how could well-educated researchers so strongly rely on animal testing to evaluate drug safety and efficacy when these tests failed 90% of the time? The inefficiency of animal-based research is staggering—drug development consumes years, billions of dollars, and the time and talent of countless scientists. I often wondered: if I owned an expensive car that failed to reach its destination 90 percent of the time, would I continue investing in that same car, or would I look for a better alternative? Fortunately, in this scenario, advanced technologies using human-derived tissues—the “new car”—were emerging. Yet the research community resisted adopting these alternatives, doubling down on their reliance on animal testing.

NAVS recognized this dilemma, but the resistance to change was intensifying, underscoring the need to ramp up our efforts to influence the field and advocate for scientifically sound, humane, non-animal research models.

The second major challenge was the deeply ingrained belief in the education community that animal dissection is essential to teaching biology. Even as humane, non-animal dissection models advanced, many educators continued to hold up animal dissection as the gold standard for science education, often disregarding compelling evidence that non-animal models provide equal or greater educational value. The ecological cost of capturing animals for dissection and the environmental burden of disposal were often ignored, along with the possibility that mandatory dissection could deter students from pursuing life sciences. Despite this resistance, NAVS felt compelled to advocate for humane, science-backed alternatives in classrooms across the country.

The third formidable challenge was the scientific community’s reluctance to confront the ethical implications of using non-human primates in research. Despite mounting evidence and ethical concerns, the community largely sidestepped this discussion, reinforcing NAVS’ commitment to raise awareness and push for a more ethical approach.

The fourth challenge was the lack of transparency in animal research. Key questions about the extent, purpose, and outcomes of animal use in research were often left unanswered or shrouded in difficult-to-access data. Questions about how many animals are used, the results of these studies, the allocation and returns of research funding, and the extent of non-animal research funding were frequently met with outdated or incomplete information.

We approached these challenges mindful of NAVS’ foundational belief that human health and environmental well-being need not come at the expense of animals. Together, our team focused on advancing programs that furthered our mission. Recognizing that NAVS’ true power lies in education and advocacy, we tackled each area strategically:

• Promoting New Approach Methodologies (NAMs): To address scientists’ reliance on animal testing, we educated our supporters and the public on the emergence of a revolutionary movement that is creating non-animal methods of research. Aptly called New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), scientists are developing approaches to research that are animal-free. Two approaches in particular have gathered momentum. Microphysiological Systems (MPS) take microscopic samples of human body parts (e.g., liver, brain, or skin cells) and, using bioengineering technology, make them into miniaturized body organs. These devices are also called “organs-on-a-chip” because the finished product looks similar to a computer chip. Once created, the researcher introduces a compound into the miniaturized organ and observes the results that transpires in the interaction. The comparison between animal testing and MPS devices is straightforward. The animal requires injection of a compound followed by evisceration of the animal to observe how the organ responded. By contrast, the MPS device can be injected with the compound and the reaction of the miniature organ observed. In the former, the animal is likely killed, in the latter no harm resulted to the human who safely donated the microscopic sample. Another new approach methodology is computer analysis. Utilizing powerful computers and available data on human responses to diverse chemicals allows scientists to predict how proposed chemical compounds might affect humans. In total, NAMs are the wave of the future. 
• Funding Future Scientists: Since founding the International Foundation for Ethical Research (IFER) in 1985, NAVS has funded post-graduate students dedicated to animal-free research. Recently, we increased these grants, allowing IFER to support more fellows. Through our participation as a Special Award Organization at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), NAVS provides awards to students whose research does not use animals, fostering a new generation of scientists committed to humane research.
• Promoting Humane Dissection Alternatives: Our BioLEAP program makes humane dissection models accessible to teachers, offering grants and a curriculum supplement that introduces students to ethical responsibilities in research. Through BioLEAP, we’re building a foundation of ethically conscious students and educators.
• Advancing Ethical Discussions on Non-Human Primate Research: NAVS has catalyzed dialogue on primate research ethics, including supporting a forthcoming benchmark publication from Cambridge University Press. The book, entitled The Three Pillars of Ethical Research with Nonhuman Primates – A Work Developed in Collaboration with the National Anti-Vivisection Society, will provide a foundation for future ethical discussions in this complex area.
• Rehoming Animals Used in Research: We have expanded our support for sanctuaries that provide permanent homes for animals previously used in research. Through NAVS’ Animal Sanctuary Assistance Program (ASAP), we provide funds and resources to sanctuaries in need across the country.
• Increasing Transparency in Research: We undertook an extensive inventory of dog-based research aimed at identifying opportunities where dogs might be replaced by non-animal research tools. Further, we recently published our Laboratory Animal Care Audit, a painstaking analysis of USDA records of violations found in laboratories that use animals. Further still, we will soon issue a report on deficiencies found in Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs), the internal oversight committees charged by research institutions with ensuring that animal research protocols comply with applicable rules.

Through these efforts, NAVS continues to shift educational and research communities toward humane science, building a future where animal-free research is the standard.

How have you seen NAVS’ mission and its work evolve?

While its mission remains the  same, NAVS  has evolved to meet the demands of the 21st century information age. From an overarching standpoint, the environment that we are in is ever more complex and fast moving.

The promise of ridding the research community of animal testing lies in the research community’s transition to NAMs. In turn, the transition relies upon the complex marriage of improvements in science and technology and broad-based advocacy, like that pursued by NAVS. To be a responsible advocate, NAVS must stay abreast of fast-moving events in the worlds of  regulators, research scientists, key industries, lawmakers, and funding organizations. The volume of online sources and information has no equal in history.

The boon to productivity is equally significant. Teleconferencing has greatly increased the opportunity to organize virtual meetings and collaborate with cohort organizations, not to mention the ease with which NAVS can mobilize supporters to address needed actions through email and social media. And the BioLEAP website can put teachers all over the world in touch with humane dissection models and materials that provide an ethical compass for biology research.

Lastly, working remotely, both hybrid and full-time, is a feature of our workspace. This has allowed us to broaden our staff and to develop work skills that sharpen preparation and dialogue.

Though our mission has not changed,  the world we inhabit is bigger, spins faster, and demands constant attention to stay on course.

How has the landscape of animal advocacy changed since you arrived at NAVS, and what role has NAVS played in bringing about that change?

The landscape of animal advocacy has grown immensely, encompassing legal issues, factory farming, environmental concerns, puppy mills, and animal-free diets, alongside NAVS’ long-held stance against animal exploitation in research and education. NAVS’ mission, articulated in 1929, remains foundational to this movement. While it’s difficult to measure NAVS’ precise influence on the animal advocacy landscape,  our commitment to humane science has helped pave the way for a future where animal-free science is within reach.

Looking forward, what advice would you give to those who will carry on this work?

NAVS’ mission is unassailable. Achieving it requires steadfast commitment, resilience, and creativity, but humane science will ultimately triumph over outdated practices. Like past societal movements, NAVS must build broad public support and engage key decision-makers. Our advocacy and education are crucial for expanding the reach of NAMs and combating animal dissection. While our programs are praiseworthy, we must continue to innovate and broaden our impact, reminding the world that every year millions of animals are used in labs and classrooms. To those who follow I would say this: stay committed to the mission  and provide all of the stakeholders involved in our movement the necessary facts and reasons that support a transition to animal-free research and education. Education and advocacy are the tools of our movement.

What would you say to supporters and donors who have stood by NAVS, and how do you hope they will continue to support the mission?

To our supporters and donors, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. NAVS would not be here today without your commitment and generosity. I hope our work has earned your trust and confidence. Moreover, today the world stands at the best point in history for those who envision a world without animal exploitation in research and education. This is so because the emergence of NAMs is a watershed development. Before the advent of current day NAMs, animal researchers could argue that even a 90 percent failure rate was acceptable when no other test tools were at hand. While NAMs are not currently a “plug and play” research tool for every manner of research, they are not novelty gadgets fashioned in a garage. Worldwide, researchers are staking their careers and research aims on honing the data derived from NAMs-based studies. Though resistance remains, animal-based science will  gradually give way to NAMs. NAVS’ mission is to accelerate the arrival of a future where humane, science-backed alternatives prevail.