Jen Bennetch is the Director of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Michigan State University, which oversees all animal care and use across a diverse research and teaching portfolio - including biomedical, agricultural, wildlife, and field studies - at multiple campus and off-campus locations. She received her B.A. from Rutgers University and her M.S. in Management and Research Administration from Emmanuel University. She is certified as a Certified Professional in IACUC Administration (CPIA) and serves as an AAALAC Ad Hoc Consultant.

Jen brings over 17 years of experience in IACUC and animal care and use program administration, including 14 years in high-biocontainment research environments. Her background includes extensive research compliance and oversight experience, having also managed the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) Committee, Safety Committee, and Special Immunizations Committee. Across these roles, she focused on developing and implementing strategies to strengthen biosafety, biosecurity, and risk mitigation across complex research settings.

In partnership with the Attending Veterinarian and the IACUC, Jen provides leadership for MSU’s animal care and use program. She fosters an environment of engagement, support, and service to the research and teaching community while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements governing the ethical use of animals in research and teaching. Her responsibilities include interpreting and implementing animal welfare laws and regulations, maintaining AAALAC accreditation, USDA registration, and PHS Assurance, and advancing continuous improvement in the animal care and use program.

Jen is active in professional organizations including the IACUC Administrators Association, PRIM&R, and the Big Ten Academic Alliance.