Einstein Remembers Community Member Wendyann Ocasio
The Einstein research community was deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Wendyann Ocasio on July 7, 2021. Wendyann was a member of the local Bronx community who served on our Institutional Animal Care Use Committee (IACUC). She was just 52.
A lifelong native of the Bronx, Wendyann joined the Einstein IACUC in June 2018; at the invitation of Linda Jelicks, animal compliance coordinator in Einstein's Institute for Animal Studies. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is a federally mandated committee charged with overseeing the care and well-being of animals used for research and educational purposes. Its members are responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with ethical and legal standards for the use of animals in research and they serve as a dean’s advisory committee on the operation of the College of Medicine's Institute for Animal Studies (IAS).
Wendyann was a community representative who served on the committee along with faculty representatives from Einstein basic science departments, the IAS director, and two staff who are nonscientists, nor involved in research using animal—all of whom are appointed by the dean. In her role, she attended monthly full-committee meetings and review-subcommittee meetings, assisted with laboratory inspections, and participated in our 2021 AAALAC site visit concerning accreditation of our IAS.
"Regulations require that there be at least one community member who is specifically included to provide a non-scientist, non-affiliate view of the value of the science being pursued in the animal studies," explained Ms. Jelicks. She recalled, "The AAALAC site visitors were very impressed with Wendyann’s commitment to participate fully in the IACUC activities."
"Wendyann participated fully in all of the IACUC 's activities, and she was a strong community advocate for the value of responsible and humane animal-based research," recalled Dr. Larry Herbst, director of the IAS. "Her dedication and presence will be missed."
In addition to her volunteer work at Einstein, Wendyann was an active volunteer in her parish church, Church of the Holy Rosary-Nativity of our Blessed Lady, and with the Sierra Club of Bronx and Westchester. Non-scientist. She graduated from Harry S. Truman High School, after which she earned an associate degree from Bronx Community College and a bachelor's degree from Hunter College. She worked at Beth Abraham Health Service until her early retirement in 2010.
She will be remembered by many for her kindness and willingness to serve others. She is survived by her brother, Angelo Ocasio, and her fiancé, Lou Cabrera. Our Einstein family extends its deepest condolences to both Angelo and Lou.
Editor's Note: If you would like to leave a remembrance of Wendyann Ocasio, please visit our In Memoriam page.
Posted on: Tuesday, July 27, 2021