Research Animal Resources (RAR) is excited to announce the recipients of the 2025 Exemplary Service Award and the inaugural Caring Hands Award.
Exemplary Service Award: Cedric Long
Lab Attendant, Minneapolis Cage Wash Team
This award, nominated by principal investigators, lab staff, and their peers, recognizes an outstanding RAR employee who provides exemplary service to the department, the animals, and the research community.
Cedric, who was selected from nine nominees, has been with RAR since 2022 and serves as a lab attendant on the small Minneapolis facilities cage wash team. A nominator noted that Cedric's “reliability, dedication, and commitment is evident in his exceptional attendance and punctuality. He consistently steps up to handle essential and demanding tasks no matter how small or how big the task. He is always focused on the needs of the facility. He serves as a role model for the Minneapolis Cage Wash Team. By offering support to everyone without exception, he directly fosters a culture of respect, equity, and mutual support.”
Thank you, Cedric, for being part of the team and showing your exemplary service to the mission, vision and values of RAR.
Caring Hands Award: Trisha McDonald
Lab Animal Care Technician
New for 2025, the inaugural Caring Hands Award recognizes an RAR employee who upholds the mission while going above and beyond to ensure the health and well-being of the animals while under their care..
Trisha McDonald, who was selected from six nominees, has been with RAR since 2022 and serves as a lab animal care technician. She goes above and beyond daily to provide excellent care for post-op large animals. By working directly with veterinary and lab staff, she ensures every animal has a proper housing setup upon their return for recovery. This is just one example of the dedicated work she does to provide top-notch care. She brings innovative ideas to her team and encourages others to increase their level of care when she can. She is recognized as being "one of the most empathetic people when it comes to the animals in her care.”
Thank you Trisha for being part of the team and being an example of how the mission, vision, and values show through the care you provide to the animals.
An additional thank you goes to all those who were nominated and to those who recognized RAR staff members for their outstanding achievements by nominating them for the awards.