Links for Lab Managers
Below are links to associations, vendors, and publications that have been helpful to the community of laboratory managers.
This page is a work in progress based on feedback from our members and readers. Please check back for updates that reflect your comments.
Standards Organizations
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
NIST is an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department's Technology Administration. It provides measurement, standards, and information services for industry and science. Standard Reference Materials Program, Building 202, Room 204, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD 20899 (301/975-6776) FAX (301/948-3730)
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
ASTM International is one of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world—a trusted source for technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services. Known for their high technical quality and market relevancy, ASTM International standards have an important role in the information infrastructure that guides design, manufacturing and trade in the global economy.
American Society for Testing and Materials 100 Barr Harbor, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959 (610.832.9585) Fax (610.832.9555)
- American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA)
Established in 1978 as a non-profit, public service, membership society, A2LA is dedicated to the formal recognition of competent testing and calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers and reference material producers.
American Association for Laboratory Accreditation, 5301 Buckleytown Pk, Ste. 350, Frederick, MD 21704-8307 (301/662-3248) FAX (301/662-2974).
Associations and Professional Organizations
- Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC)
The UK’s leading independent provider of analytical and diagnostic services, LGC offers chemical, biochemical and forensic analysis, DNA testing and genetic screening, research, method validation, consultancy and analytical outsourcing. LGC also distributes reference standards and ATCC biomaterials throughout Europe.
LGC’s services are designed to help organisations produce high quality data on which to base scientific and commercial decisions, providing a quantifiable basis for strategic decision making. Supports CITAC (Co-Operation on International Traceability in Analytical Chemistry).
Valid Analytical Measurements (VAM) Manager’s Guide, Queens Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LY, United Kingdom (44 (0)020-8943-7393) FAX (-2767), info@lgc.co.uk
- American Council of Independent Laboratories (ACIL)
ACIL is the trade association representing independent, commercial scientific and engineering firms. Its members are professional services firms engaged in testing, product certification, consulting, and research and development. The association was founded in 1937 as the American Council of Commercial Laboratories.
1629 K Street, N. W. Suite 400, Washington D. C. 20006 (202/887-5872) FAX (202/887-0021)
- Analytical Abstracts, Royal Society of Chemistry
The RSC is the largest organisation in Europe for advancing the chemical sciences. Supported by a network of 45,000 members worldwide and an internationally acclaimed publishing business, our activities span education and training, conferences and science policy, and the promotion of the chemical sciences to the public.
Thomas Graham House, Science Park, Cambridge CB4 0WF, UK (44 [0] 1223 4323390) marketing@rsc.org
- AOAC International
As the “Association of Analytical Communities,” AOAC International is committed to be a proactive, worldwide provider and facilitator in the development, use, and harmonization of validated analytical methods and laboratory quality assurance programs and services.
AOAC also provides a number of key publications, hosts technical meetings and conferences, and offers training courses in the areas of laboratory management, quality assurance, accreditation, statistics, and measurement uncertainty.
AOAC was founded in 1884 as the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists, under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to adopt uniform methods of analysis for fertilizers.
In 1991, the name of the Association was changed to AOAC International, eliminating reference to a specific scientific discipline or profession, and reflecting the expanding international membership and focus of AOAC as the “Association of Analytical Communities.”
AOAC International, 481 N. Frederick Ave, Suite 500, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 (301/9247077) FAX(-7089) aoac@aoac.org
- Center for Process Analytical Chemistry (CPAC)
The Center for Process Analytical Chemistry was established in 1984 as a NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center with the goal of developing process analytical technology (PAT) involving sampling, real time analysis, and advanced mathematics known as chemometrics. CPAC has sponsor members from both industry and government organizations that span many industry groups and show the wide interest in real time analysis and the data that it generates. CPAC is multidisciplinary, involving faculty from Arts and Sciences (chemistry, applied physics, forestry, and food sciences), Engineering (chemical, electrical, mechanical, material, and bio), and Health Sciences (genetics).
CPAC, University of Washington;BG-10;P.O. Box 351700; Seattle, WA 98195-1700; phone (206) 685-2326, Fax (206) 543-6506
- Situational Leadership Studies
The Center for Leadership Studies was established in the mid 1960s by Dr. Paul Hersey. Dr. Hersey’s pivotal research around influence and behavior led to the development of the Situational Leadership Model. Over the last four decades, this model has become the basis of the most prevalent leadership system in the world.
With a focus on specific task and behavior, Situational Leadership is applicable in any culture or group. A network of talented professionals around the world represents the Center for Leadership Studies. Training materials are available in multiple languages.
Center for Leadership Studies, 230 W. Third Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025 (760/741-6595) or (800/330-2840)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Small Business Ombudsman (SBO)
Established in 1982, the Office of the Small Business Ombudsman serves as an effective conduit for small businesses to access EPA and facilitates communications between the small business community and the Agency. The Office reviews and resolves disputes with EPA and works with EPA personnel to increase their understanding of small businesses in the development and enforcement of environmental regulations. The Office of Small Business Ombudsman is managed by EPA’s Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation.
Publishes Environmental Management Guide for Small Laboratories EPA 233-B-98-001, July 1998, Phone 202/260-0490- Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF)
The Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities is an international society dedicated to advancing core and research biotechnology laboratories through research, communication, and education.
ABRF 2019 Galisteo Street, Bldg. I Santa Fe, NM 87505 Phone: 505 983-8102 Fax: 505 989-1073 abrf@abrf.org
- Society for Applied Spectroscopy (SAS)
Calendar, information regarding the society, its journal, Applied Spectroscopy, related spectroscopy events, publications and membership payment over secure server connection from Frederick, MD.
- Eurachem
Network of organizations aiming at a system for the international traceability of chemical measurements, providing newsletters back to 1996, forthcoming events, liaison groups with links to national sites in Europe.
- International Association of Environmental Analytical Chemistry (IAEAC)
IAEAC focuses on processes related to sample handling and detection of pesticides using biosensors and LC/MS.
- Association of Managers in Magnetic Resonance Laboratories
International organization of over 350 managers of instrumentation laboratories providing NMR and EPR services.
- American Chemical Society’s Division of Analytical Chemistry
Meetings, publications, awards, fellowships and professional opportunities. Educational information and links to graduate programs worldwide, from the American Chemical Society, hosted at DUQ, Pittsburgh, PA.
Their website containts an archive of newsletters in PDF format.
- Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy
The Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy is a Pennsylvania not-for-profit, educational corporation organized by the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh (SSP) and the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP). Since 1950 we have produced “PITTCON,” the world’s premier Conference and Exposition devoted to laboratory science.
- Attracts 20,000 to 30,000 attendees from industry, academia and government from 80 countries worldwide
- Attracts over 1,200 exhibiting companies
- Includes over 2,000 technical papers and presentations
- Contributes an estimated $60 million to the economy of the host city during conference week
- Profits are used to promote science and science education
- Conference proceeds fund programs of the SSP, SACP and The Pittsburgh Conference in the greater Pittsburgh area, the host city and throughout the United States
- Managed by a committee of volunteers including the President and Board of Directors
Periodicals and Newsletters
- LIMS/Letter
The LIMS/Letter is a newsletter that highlights Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) issues in particular, and laboratory data management topics in general. It keeps you up-to-date on new technology trends, provides interviews with industry gurus, offers case application articles about how other organizations have dealt with various LIMS challenges, and more. The printed version includes a calendar of LIMS-related events and new product news for those subscribers who are not yet on-line.
With the encouragement and support of the LIMS Institute, this quarterly newsletter was launched in 1994 to deliver LIMS and lab data management news that's immediately relevant and useful in your day-to-day work. You'll benefit from access to a wide range of LIMS information in an objective, in-depth format as well as the right phone and fax numbers to call for more details.
Subscriptions: LIMS/Letter, P.O. Box 935, Kenwood, CA 95452 USA, Tel: (707) 526-6885, Fax: at (707) 526-6889.
Dr. Helen Gillespie, 1075 Hay Court, Milpitas, CA 95035 (408/263-4439) FAX (-4487) LIMSletter@aol.com
Books
- Environmental Management Guide for Small Laboratories
Published by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of the Small Business Ombudsman (SBO), it is available as a PDF download EPA 233-B-98-001, July 1998, Phone 202/260-0490
- Laboratory Design, Construction, and Renovation: Participants, Process, and Product
This book provides guidance on effective approaches for building laboratory facilities in the chemical and biochemical sciences. It contains both basic and laboratory-specific information.
ISBN: 0309066336 (paperback) National Academies Press, 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Box 285, Washington D.C. 20055 copyright 2000. (800/624-3313 or 888-624-8373)
Education
- Master of Science in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Science
Northwestern University The School of Continuing Studies, in collaboration with the Northwestern University Chemistry Department, offers a Master of Science in Quality Assurance and Regulatory Science. The food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries are facing an increasingly complex regulatory and compliance environment. This part-time, evening graduate program is designed to provide working professionals in the industry with the tools they need to be leaders in quality assurance and regulatory affairs.