Some might say the year "winds down" in December. In my experience, that's not really the case. We do tend to pause a bit, but then we take a deep breath, forge ahead and finish setting our goals for the next year. And, I can assure you, there is no winding down at SLAS!
It takes the talent and scientific know-how of nearly 1,000 volunteers each year to publish SLAS’s two scientific journals, SLAS Discovery and SLAS Technology. This includes authors, reviewers, Editorial Board members and editors – all with the goal of presenting the very best in peer-reviewed research for our specialized audience.
Imagine it is a couple months after attending the SLAS International Conference and Exhibition. You’ve remembered a particularly impactful podium presentation you attended there, and you listen to it once again on APPLIED, the SLAS Online Learning Center. The ideas brought forward continue to intrigue you. You wish you were back at the conference so you could discuss these ideas with fellow participants.
Learning is a lifelong endeavor – one of the most important pieces of advice my father shared with me and, in turn, I have shared with my boys as they embark on the post-college careers. The constant pursuit of knowledge is one of the main reasons we participate in professional groups like SLAS.
As I was thinking about what to write for this month’s column, I went back to take a look at some of the answers I prepared for the SLAS Electronic Laboratory Neighborhood e-zine when first joining the SLAS Board of Directors in 2017. A network of like-minded scientists; share their experiences; leverage their collective knowledge; bridging technology and science; and stay current on new scientific and technology developments were among the phrases I used for what SLAS is and why it’s important to me. All that was only in my first couple of answers!
As part of its mission, SLAS seeks to leverage life sciences technology and discovery for scientific advancement. The Society wants to energize talented individuals and connect them with others to do great things. Since its beginnings, a huge part of that endeavor has been to integrate newer, younger professionals into all SLAS does, especially at its conferences.
No doubt, there have been times in your career where the thought of adding just one more thing seems like it would make your days, weeks and months simply unmanageable. But, then, you add it anyway, and you discover that it was certainly worth it.
Building on the success of the inaugural event last year, I am really looking forward to the 2019 SLAS Europe Conference and Exhibition, June 26-28, in Barcelona, Spain. There is so much exciting and innovating research happening across Europe, and I could not think of a more perfect setting than Barcelona in June to enjoy some science mixed with a little sun (fingers crossed) and sangria!
How do YOU find the information you need to accomplish daily tasks? While I suspect answers are varied, no doubt finding and consulting reputable sources is high on the list. SLAS is making that 'finding and consulting' even easier for members of our community as we strive to deliver more information in a variety of ways.
Greetings to the remarkable SLAS community; it is my honor to serve as your 2019 president! Having just participated in SLAS2019, I was amazed at the knowledgeable, well-connected and multi-disciplinary assembly of professionals committed to the shared success of one another. Fundamental to our combined success is our ability to engage others with diverse perspectives and varied professional disciplines so that we can listen to and learn from each other. This has been key to SLAS since its founding and is at the forefront of SLAS plans for the year ahead.
