Presented by our Roundtable: Tomorrow's Life Science Workforce in collaboration with Career Consortium.
Westchester Certificate:
Essential Skills in the Laboratory
August 15-16 2023, (Tuesday-Wednesday 9:30-3:30, Free of charge)
at SUNY Westchester, a collaboration with Sister to Sister International
Registration is complete.
To join our waiting list, please email: research@westchesterbiotechproject.org
This program is for anyone age 16+ with an interest in learning hands-on about the Laboratory experience.
Learning Objectives:
-Laboratory Safety
-Scientific Laboratory Notebook Practice
-Aseptic Technique
-Sustainability in the Lab
-Understanding the Drug Development Process
Please scroll down to see Curriculum Outline.
Questions? Send a note to research@westchesterbiotechproject.org
Certificate Curriculum has been created by experts in both Education and Industry. We convened specialists from Westchester Community College, Purchase College SUNY, Fordham University, New York Medical College, Mercy College, St. Vincent's Medical Center, Westchester County Association, Sapience Therapeutics, TriRadial Solutions, Centrific Technology Partners, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
My Green Lab is adapting their Ambassador Program to fit our format.
How did it all start?
It happened quite naturally. During our first session of our Roundtable: Educators and Employers (now Tomorrow’s Life Science Workforce), one leader at the table mentioned a challenge in preparing new hires for safety issues in the lab. The entire group, representing seven colleges and several companies, nodded. From that point on, we have been working on a relevant and timely curriculum with input from academic and industry labs.
We thank those involved and their organizations for helping guide the development of the Westchester Certificate. None of this, or any of our work, would be possible without the continual support and generous time committed by members of our community. Thank you!
2023 Westchester Certificate Faculty:
Safety, Laboratory Notebooks, and Aseptic Technique:
Carla Romney, D.Sc., Adjunct Research Assistant Professor of Medical Sciences and Education, Boston University
Donal Keith, M.S., Adjunct Professor, SUNY Westchester Community College
Sustainability in the Lab:
Ila Summitt, Sustainability Programs Manager, My Green Lab
Drug Development Process:
Kevin Freiert, MBA, Principal and Founder, Salem Oaks
Curriculum Outline:
Module A: Laboratory Safety
The laboratory is full of potential dangers -- from broken glass, to caustic materials, to high-temperature experimental apparatus, and more. This module will address appropriate levels of equipment knowledge and situational awareness needed to traverse the lab safely. Please note that you must pass a test regarding Laboratory Safety in order to progress to Module B.
Module B: Scientific Laboratory Notebook Practice
A thorough and searchable laboratory notebook is required for progress in research. Clear, comprehensive, and well thought out notes are absolutely essential for troubleshooting, replicating experiments, and capturing fleeting thoughts in the moment. Further, clear and organized documentation of experimental protocols, conditions and results become essential when compiling data sets for presentation, publication, or filing of intellectual property.
Module C: Aseptic Technique
Thorough understanding of sterile technique is essential in any 21st century laboratory. While technologies may change, the necessity to conduct research in a sterile manner will always stay the same. Whether working with cell or tissue cultures, diagnostics assay development, production testing, or simply making a buffer, scientists who understand best aseptic practices are able to generate reliable data from complex studies -- preventing questionable and discarded results.
Module D: Sustainability in the Lab
This module leverages new training videos produced by My Green Lab in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). These videos will address how to approach research with sustainability in mind. The responsible use of energy and water will be discussed in conjunction with strategies for waste reduction. In addition, laboratory design and operation strategies aimed at reducing the environmental impact of laboratories will also be addressed.
Module E: Understanding the Drug Development Process
Drug development requires many different disciplines that interact over long periods of time. Understanding the overall roadmap can position an employee for competitive advancement. A broad understanding of the drug development process will be given, including: the research process, clinical trial regulations and support, the approval process in the US and abroad, as well as the challenges of Market Access and Commercialization.
Presented by our Roundtable: Tomorrow's Life Science Workforce in collaboration with Career Consortium.
