ARCH project kickoff in the McNamara Alumni Center's Heritage Gallery
On Monday, July 28, Research Animal Resources (RAR) officially kicked off a year-long project to implement a new animal research and vivarium management and electronic health record system, the Animal Research Care Hub (ARCH). About 40 people, including RAR leadership, ARCH implementation team members, and UMN researchers and staff, gathered in the McNamara Alumni Center's Heritage Gallery to celebrate the kickoff and learn more about the project.
ARCH, which is set to launch in fall 2026, will replace a paper-based, limited-access system with a digital, staff- and researcher-accessible platform. The new system will increase transparency, streamline workflows, enhance communication, and provide secure, centralized management of animal health records, research data, and processes. The ARCH system will be implemented in partnership with a-tune using the tick@lab animal research facility software.
ARCH is one part of a larger effort within the Research and Innovation Office (RIO) to provide much-needed resources to support the University of Minnesota's research infrastructure, including ensuring that the University's labs and facilities meet or exceed industry standards.
"Having spent my 30+-year academic career conducting animal research and directing animal facilities, I've seen firsthand the importance of high-quality facilities and efficient systems," said Kim Kirkpatrick, associate vice president for research capacity building in RIO. "This project, which will improve access to animal care information and reduce the burden on faculty, is a goal we've been building toward since I arrived at the University in 2023. I'm thrilled to see it finally launch."
In addition to RAR staff and technical teams, the project will also engage members of the research community, including faculty and lab staff, to provide feedback on the new system, validate colony data, and inform researcher needs.
RAR Executive Director Lisa Johnson sees real opportunities with this project to improve communication and collaboration between RAR staff and the research community.
"We've heard researchers' concerns, and the ARCH project is a direct response to that feedback," said Johnson. "This, combined with other improvements to our communication and processes, is a significant step toward building trust with our research community. We're grateful for the University's support and are confident these investments will elevate the quality of our care and services, and help to establish the University of Minnesota as a national leader in biomedical research."
See the ARCH project website and the ARCH kickoff presentation to learn more.