Sheera joined the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance in February 2016 to implement a post-approval monitoring compliance program for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), the Institutional Review Board (IRB), and the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC.) She was promoted to Assistant Director in 2018. Sheera earned her Master’s degree in Laboratory Animal Science from Drexel University. She is an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-accredited Graduate Veterinary Technologist, and a Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R)-Certified Professional IACUC Administrator. Sheera has worked in the field of veterinary medicine since 1997, specializing in emergency medicine and anesthesia since 2003. She has served on an IACUC since 2002, and has specialized in animal research and compliance since 2007. Sheera is the recipient of the 2020 Dr. Robert A. Roosa Regulatory Compliance Award, the 2012 Bio-Serv Enhancement and Improvement of Animal Welfare Award, and the 2007-2009 Drexel University Academic Achievement Award. She is an adjunct professor and has served as the IACUC Chair at Camden County College since 2012. She is a member of the National Honors Society and professional organizations including the Delaware Valley Branch of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (DVB AALAS), National AALAS, PRIM&R, National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR), New Jersey Association for Biomedical Research (NJABR), New Jersey Veterinary Technicians and Assistants (NJVTA), IACUC Administrators Association (IACUCAA), and the Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research (PSBR.) Sheera is active in public outreach that involves educating the public on the humane use of animals in research and the important role of the IACUC.

Stuart Leland has taken a new role within RIA as the Director of Special Projects. Stuart will be leading the implementation of the new Conflict of Interest system on the InfoEd platform. He will also be responsible for providing administrative support to the Human Remains Oversight Board.

Stu and Sheera will be working together to ensure a smooth transition within the RIA department.