Goodbye, Anastasia! Looking back on two years at the 3RCU

After two years as a student assistant at the 3Rs Centre Utrecht, it is time to say goodbye to Anastasia Kondratyeva. Although we will certainly miss having her on the team, we are excited to see her move on to the next stage of her career. Throughout her time at the 3RCU, Anastasia contributed to numerous projects that promoted the implementation of the 3Rs and animal-free innovations, from communication and outreach to stakeholder engagement and educational initiatives. We are proud of everything we have accomplished together and wish her the very best as she takes the next step in her career. To mark this occasion, we asked Anastasia to reflect on her journey at the 3RCU, the experiences that shaped her, and what she will take with her into the future.

Looking back on your time at the 3Rs Centre Utrecht, what are you most proud of?

"One of the projects I am most proud of is the expansion of what was previously known as the Gels & Sera Working Group. When I joined the 3RCU, the group mainly focused on replacing fetal calf serum (FCS) and basement membrane extract (BME) in cell culture. Together with Melissa van Velthoven and Jeffrey Bajramovic, we saw an opportunity to broaden its scope to include a wider range of animal-derived products used in research. This ultimately led to the rebranding and expansion of the group into what is now the ReALiSe Working Group."

"What makes me especially proud is not only how the working group has grown, but also the community that has formed around it. We have brought together a network of enthusiastic researchers from the Netherlands and increasingly from abroad, all eager to share knowledge, exchange experiences, and help each other implement animal-free alternatives." 

What has been one of the biggest challenges during your time at the 3RCU?

"One of the biggest challenges has been learning how to communicate complex scientific topics in a way that is both accurate and accessible. The 3Rs cover a wide range of disciplines and involve many different stakeholders, from researchers and students to policymakers and industry partners. Finding the right balance between scientific detail and clear communication is not always easy, but it has been one of the most valuable skills I've developed during my time at the 3RCU."

During your time at the 3RCU, what moment made you think, "This work really matters"?

"Those moments came whenever researchers reached out to share how the 3RCU had helped them implement the 3Rs in their own work. Seeing that our resources and support could make a real difference in someone's daily research made me realize that this work truly has an impact."

"One example that stands out is the development of the 3RCU Escape Room, which was inspired by one of the success stories that emerged through our Suppo³Rt Desk. We have since organised the escape room for researchers from many different backgrounds, and it has been incredibly rewarding to see how engaged participants become. Many were surprised to learn about topics such as invisible animal use or the regulations surrounding animal experiments—subjects that are often not covered during scientific training. What I found especially inspiring was that these sessions rarely ended when the game was over. They often sparked discussions about how researchers could transition towards animal-free models, where to find suitable alternatives, or how to use resources such as the FCS-free and BME-free databases in their own research."

As you move on to the next stage of your career, what lessons or experiences from the 3RCU do you expect to carry forward?

"I am excited to continue working in the field of animal-free innovation as I start a new position as a Junior Scientist at MIMETAS. It feels like a very natural next step, as I will continue working with advanced human-relevant models."

"One of the biggest lessons I will take from the 3RCU is always to consider the impact of the research I'm doing. During my time here, I learned that the most rewarding projects are those that contribute to something bigger than the research itself and have the potential to make a difference for scientists and society. As I move into the next stage of my career, I hope to keep that in mind and continue working on research that is not only scientifically interesting but also meaningful."

A final message 

"Looking back, I am incredibly grateful to the entire 3RCU team and to all the researchers, collaborators and stakeholders I have had the opportunity to work with over the past two years. Working with so many dedicated people has made this a truly special journey, and I will always look back on my time at the 3RCU with great appreciation. Thank you for all the opportunities, support and inspiring conversations along the way. I wish the team all the best and look forward to seeing how the 3RCU continues to grow and make an impact in the years to come."