By Hansjörg Haas, Ph.D.
July 27, 2021
In-person learning always has been an SLAS strength. Our knowledgeable community takes pride in sharing what they know with others interested in expanding their technical abilities. And, time and again, those in charge of teaching others learn a lesson or two themselves through meaningful Q&A sessions, hallway conversations and additional follow up with colleagues.
In-person learning always has been an SLAS strength. Our knowledgeable community takes pride in sharing what they know with others interested in expanding their technical abilities. And, time and again, those in charge of teaching others learn a lesson or two themselves through meaningful Q&A sessions, hallway conversations and additional follow up with colleagues.
Since March 2020, in-person learning as we knew it had to take a break. SLAS found innovative ways to continue to teach, share, collaborate. But, now, we’re tipping our toes back into the water with a series of hybrid symposia. As our event disclosure states, “SLAS is committed to providing a safe meeting space, high-quality education and meaningful networking opportunities for all attendees, whether in person or on a virtual platform, as circumstances warrant. We look forward to convening in person but will do so only if we can provide a safe and appropriate meeting venue … “
Here is what we have cued up for the end of 2021!
SLAS 2021 Americas Sample Management Hybrid Symposium
September 9-10
La Jolla, CA, USA
Topics include emerging technologies and applications, pandemic challenges and solutions, the business of sample management (including outsourcing and mergers and acquisitions) and where is sample management going? Keynote speaker is Rob Handfield, Ph.D., executive director of supply chain resource cooperative and Bank of America University Distinguished Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management at the Poole College of Management, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
SLAS 2021 European Sample Management Hybrid Symposium
October 4-5
Berlin, Germany
Topics include supply chain management, biomolecule and alternative therapeutic sample collection processes, blockchain and the use of robots in sample management. Keynote speaker is Agnes Bombrun Sauer, Ph.D., head of ingredients research - Fragrance S&T, at Givaudan in Zurich, Switzerland.
SLAS 2021 Building Biology in 3D Hybrid Symposium
October 26-27
Jupiter, FL, USA
Topics include current and near-future enabling technologies, applications of such systems in high-throughput screening, advances in imaging and analysis of data generated and the expansion into novel model systems. Keynote speaker is Randy D. Blakely, Ph.D., executive director, FAU Brain Institute, professor of biomedical science at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
SLAS 2021 AI-Powered Drug Discovery Hybrid Symposium
November 8-9
London, United Kingdom
Topics include ethics, artificial intelligence for automated discovery, generative models, machine learning in drug discovery and clinical validations of AI in next-generation medicine. Keynote speaker is Daniel Ting, Ph.D., associate professor in ophthalmology at Duke-National University Singapore Medical School, vitreo-retinal surgeon at the Singapore National Eye Centre and head of AI and digital innovation in Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI).
If your institution is allowing travel, try to attend an SLAS symposium or two. We have spread them geographically to accommodate as much of the community and their core interests as possible. You can be confident that presenters will be top notch, collaboration time productive and appropriate safety measures in place. We all miss face-to-face time together – let’s hope Fall 2021 marks our return to this more energetic existence.
Also be on the lookout for additional information on the September 21-22 webinar, Biologics as Drug Therapy with Terrence Kenakin, Ph.D., UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Like all SLAS webinars, you will be able to participate live or on demand. Stay tuned!
