Advisors

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Our advisors are a diverse group of experts in science, law, ethics, and advocacy, each bringing unique expertise to support PNARS’ mission of advancing New Approach Methodologies (NAM). Their collective knowledge guides our work in promoting human-relevant, non-animal research methods.

Maneesha Deckha

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Maneesha Deckha is Professor and Lansdowne Chair in Law at the University of Victoria in British Columbia where she directs the Animals and Society Research Initiative (ASRI). Professor Deckha is the recipient of multiple grants for her work on animal law theory and reform, including transitioning away from animal-based farming and food systems as well as animal-based science research. In Spring 2024 she was a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Zurich and a Senior Fellow at the Collegium Helveticum, ETH Zurich. Professor Deckha is a graduate of McGill University, the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, and Columbia Law School. Her work analyzes the gendered, culture, racialized, and species dimensions of law. She has published in law reviews, social science and humanities journals, and edited collections. She is the author of Animals as Legal Beings: Contesting Anthropocentric Legal Orders and director of the open access documentary series A Deeper Kindness: Youth Activism in Animal Law.

Dr. Zheng Tan

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With both an MD and PhD, Zheng is currently Executive Research Coordinator in Eye Care Centre at Vancouver General Hospital. Her work specializes in human-based disease modeling in the study of atopic diseases. She developed a human-derived lymph node model, integrated into an organ-on-a-chip platform which more accurately replicates disease progression. A long-time animal advocate raising awareness in raptor protection, her main areas of interest are reducing/replacing animal usage in scientific research. She won the 2024 LUSH Prize Award in the young researcher category and is a 2026 judge for that competition. You can see her PNARS webpage here.

Dr. Andre Menache

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European Veterinary Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law, Andre is a Member of European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine. He holds degrees in zoology and veterinary medicine BSc(Hons) BVSc MRCVS EBVS®. His main areas of interest include animal experimentation and regulatory toxicology. He is also France’s InterNICHE contact.

Dr. Olivier Berreville

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Holding a PhD in Biology from Dalhousie University, Olivier was the Scientific Advisor for Canadians for Ethical Treatment of Farmed Animals and the Vice-President of the B.C. Foundation for Non-Animal Research. He has been the Canadian contact for InterNICHE since 2003, assisting life science students learn in their chosen field without harming animals.

Myriam Brulot

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Born in France, Myriam Brulot has been a practicing lawyer in the area of Aboriginal Law since 1995, specializing in Specific Claims brought against Canada for its breach of historical lawful obligations to First Nations in British Columbia. Since moving to Vancouver in 1994, she has campaigned for animal rights including as a Director of the Vancouver Humane Society, and with a particular focus on the enforcement of the Province’s anti-cruelty legislation.

Ericka Ceballos

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With over four decades of animal welfare, 33 years of animal conservation and 30 of environmental experience, Ericka has founded and co-founded animal NGOs in Canada, Mexico and Poland, as well as being Director of other animal welfare NGOs. She is currently the Founder and CEO of CATCA Environmental and Wildlife Society and of International Aid For Animals Foundation. Ericka has wide experience at CITES, IWC, CMS and other high-end intergovernmental meetings as well as scientific meetings. She is the only International Wildlife Trade Expert doing a formal monitoring of the e-commerce of protected wildlife in the American continent, Africa and Asia. The results of her investigations are distributed at UNEP level and all her reports are at the Interpol Database.

Anna Pippus

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A long-time animal advocate, holding degrees in law and psychology, Anna with Dr. Ray Greek, has co-authored a paper published in BMC Medical Ethics The Nuremberg Code subverts human health and safety by requiring animal modeling arguing that legal requirements for animal testing have long been scientifically outdated, thus compromising human health and safety.

Dr. Maidie Hilmo

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A PhD scholar from the University of Victoria, Maidie has published widely on medieval illustrated manuscripts as well as Canadian art and literature. “Into the Jaws of the Beast: From the Movie back to Early English Art and Its Mythical Context, ” is the subject she is currently exploring to trace the origins of the man vs. nature motif that still holds wide currency in today’s culture. Maidie has been active for decades in animal rights issues, especially those concerning the use of animals in laboratories, an outdated approach that has perpetuated a binary mode of thought that is cruel, wasteful, and non-productive. She urges, instead, that it is time that the practices of the “dark ages” be replaced by ethical non-animal methods that are scientifically advanced and benefit all creatures on this fragile planet.

Dr. Ranjana Basu

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Holding a BSc in Biology, an MSW in Social Work, and a Doctorate in Social Science, Ranjana has been active in both human and animal rights for over 40 years. She has written a book on Elder Abuse as well as one on Supporting Caregiving Families which formed the basis for the Cowichan Family Caregivers Support Society which she co-founded and ran from 2000-2014. Her doctoral thesis Linking Animals, Social Justice and Social Work suggests a new path for social work practice. In 2023, she co-organized with UVic’s Animals & Society Research Initiative (ASRI), Victoria’s first Multispecies Families on the Streets Symposium culminating with the final report Multispecies Families on the Streets.