Surgery Training and Animal Research Core (STARC)

The Department of Surgery’s Surgery Training and Animal Research Core (STARC), led by Kyha Williams, DVM, DACLAM, provides expertise and support for large animal-based investigations and training. Services provided include performing and providing technical expertise for research and training related large animal procedures.

Currently, supported species include non-human primates (various species), cattle, sheep, swine, dogs, and rabbits. The Core also supports skills and techniques courses open to fellows, visiting scholars, residents, mid-level and laboratory personnel, medical students, faculty, and college students from Duke and outside institutions both nationally and internationally. The Core has access to six dedicated operating rooms, including one operating room designed with six tables to accommodate large teaching classes, through the Duke Department of Laboratory Animal Research (DLAR)’s Vivarium. The Core owns and maintains its own equipment, including anesthesia machines, monitoring devices, instruments, ultrasound, cardio bypass equipment, C-arms, and more.

• Currently supporting research protocols, largely in the area of transplantation (including xeno-transplant) both industry and government-funded
• Support for workshops with the Surgical Education and Activities Lab (SEAL), including: 

  • Lap-Adv Suturing & Stapling/Bowel Anastomosis

  • Robot Skills (week-long)

  • Trauma Procedures

  • Vascular Anastomosis

  • Open-Adv Suturing & Stapling/Bowel Anastomosis

  • Senior Resident Labs

• Collaborations with industry partners in the area of transplant research and highlighting xeno-transplant research

• Set-up, animal handling, pre-medication, intubation, intra-operative support, monitoring, surgical assist, recovery, and post-operative monitoring of study animals for all large animal model species
• Support for classes from 1–20 trainees
• Research model development
• Budget preparation
• IACUC protocol and grant proposal writing assistance
• Flexible scheduling for time point accommodation

• Access to state-of-the art facilities, including six climate-controlled operating rooms, and a farm, through Duke’s Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR)
• DLAR veterinarians are available for animal health issues and animal welfare concerns 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
• Veterinarians are consulted regularly with regard to protocol development and the pre- and post-operative care of animals within a facility fully accredited by the Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AAALAC)

• Bradley Collins, MD
• Kyha Williams, DVM, DACLAM, Director 
• Christian Marsini, RVT, Research Tech Sr., Assistant Manager
• Erica Hall, RVT, Research Tech Sr., Surgery Behavior and Enrichment Coordinator
• Ianthia Parker, Research Tech Sr., Special Core projects coordinator, SEAL lab liaison
• Samuel Wade, B.S., RTIII
• Erika Shelton, RVT, RTIII
• Caitlin Jones, RVT, RTIII
• Jessica Lawton, RTII
• Tabatha Sanchez, RTII
• Sean Dixon, RTII

• All new studies will be required to have a pre-study meeting prior to starting any cases to discuss objectives, overall planning, booking dates, ordering animals, drugs, fund code, confirm SVR is in place where applicable, etc.
• If there are any changes to the protocol, the PI/lab manager needs to email an updated copy to surgery-starc@duke.edu so all parties involved are up to date.
• PIs need to book cases at least two weeks in advance to ensure the team is available.  
• If a fund code is not provided before the start of the case, then the case will be postponed until one is received.  
• Equipment rentals need to be placed two weeks in advance (C-Arm, Echo, Instruments, etc.), as many groups use them, to ensure they are available for the case.

To collaborate with us, please contact SLACR@dm.duke.edu.