Philadelphia Chapter
Event Schedule
May 11, 2023
Click here now to register for free for our upcoming annual vendor show.
For more details on the event, please visit: Philly Exhibition Information 2023.
You can contact us at PhillyLRIG@gmail.com with any questions in the meantime.
About
Mission
The LRIG Philadelphia Chapter serves the Delaware Valley, with a membership consisting of individuals from the area’s pharmaceutical and biotechnical industries and also from the many academic institutions in the region. Each year we typically hold a Technology Exhibition to showcase the latest in laboratory instrumentation, automation, software, reagents and consumables. We also host an annual Scientific Meeting in which we strive to present topics ranging from cutting-edge biotechnologies to thought-provoking challenges in today’s life sciences. Both meetings provide a wonderful networking opportunity for area scientists and engineers to connect and share ideas. We are continually looking to broaden our scope, and we encourage suggestions for future meeting themes.
History
Tony Nardei was the founder of the LRIG Philadelphia Chapter in 2004. Philly LRIG was officially formed at the end of 2005 when the first Board was elected. We became incorporated in 2006 and attained 501c(6) status in 2011. Board positions are held for two years and we are supported by a steering committee of 8-10 members. Over the past seven years the topics for our scientific meetings have included Cell-Based Enabling Technologies, Informatics and Assay Technologies, High Throughput Electrophysiology and Imaging, Drug Discovery in the Academic Setting, the Pennsylvania Life Science Greenhouse Program, and Epigenetics. The 2012 spring Scientific Meeting, Biobanking and CROs in Drug Development, was held at PPD in Wayne, PA and included tours of their facilities. The Technology Exhibitions usually feature presentations focusing on the scientific application of vendor products.
Chapter Officers
Rodney Bednar, Chair
Dr. Rodney A. Bednar is a Drug Discovery Scientist and Industry Leader in the Biochemistry and Automation of Lead Optimization Assays, Workflows, and associated Knowledge Management. Dr. Bednar has recognized expertise in all aspects of early drug discovery and has provided leadership and critical scientific contributions—from early lead identification, through profiling, lead optimization, and mechanism of action studies—that supported the successful advancement of over a dozen drugs (including Aggrastat®) into clinical trials. Additionally, Dr. Bednar employs a unique combination of scientific, process engineering, and technology skills to maximize efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality. Dr. Bednar is known for conceiving and implementing global best practices for drug discovery.
Dr. Bednar is Professor of Biochemistry at the Pennsylvania Drug Discovery Institute. Dr. Bednar held various positions of increasing responsibility at Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), the research center of Merck & Co., Inc., including Senior Investigator and Director. He worked within Merck’s Basic Research Departments of In Vitro Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry, Pain Research, Molecular Pharmacology, Pharmacology, In Vitro Pharmacology, and Biological Chemistry. Dr. Bednar maintained an adjunct faculty position at SUNY Stony Book, where he held joints appoints as an Assistant Professor of Pharmacological Sciences in the Medical School and an Assistant Professor of Chemistry in the School of Arts and Sciences.
Jean Husten, Treasuer
Jean Husten received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Oklahoma, and then did a post-doc in the Department of Neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. After that, Jean took a position in the amyloid group at Cephalon, focusing on discovering inhibitors of the amyloid precursor protein processing enzymes. After a few years, she moved to the Lead Discovery and Profiling Department where she was responsible for maintaining the compound libraries plated for HTS. Within the group Jean also developed and implemented assays for HTS for a variety of targets. Following Teva’s acquisition of Cephalon, Jean joined the Global Bioassays and Technology group and is now leading the Protein Science group. Her group develops and runs binding assays on the Biacore and also develops and runs ADA assays for immunogenicity assessment.
Jean has been involved with LRIG Philadelphia since its incorporation, serving on the board in various roles.
History of LRIG Philly Board Positions