Presented by our Roundtable: Tomorrow's Life Science Workforce in collaboration with our Career Consortium.

Westchester Certificate:
Essential Skills in the Laboratory

Tuesday, May 17 & Wednesday, May 18, 2022 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM EDT
In Person: Westchester Community College, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla, NY 10595

Learning Objectives:
-Laboratory Safety
-Scientific Laboratory Notebook Practice
-Aseptic Technique
-Sustainability in the Lab
-Understanding the Drug Development Process

Questions? Send a note to research@westchesterbiotechproject.org

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.  

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.   

How did it all start? 

It happened quite naturally. During our first session, in the spring of 2018, 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 from members of our community. Thank you! 

Presented by our Roundtable: Tomorrow's Life Science Workforce in collaboration with Career Consortium.