LRIG Philadelphia Chapter
Non-Profit, All Volunteer; Always Free to Attend
Laboratory Research and Innovation Group | Laboratory Robotics Interest Group
About LRIG Philadelphia
Goal
Our primary educational goal is to foster communication and to facilitate the ability of our members to interact and share their questions and knowledge on areas of common interest. Historically, we have hosted Scientific Meetings and Social Meetings in addition to an annual local Technology Exhibition that showcases the latest in laboratory instrumentation, automation, software, reagents and consumables.
Our scope is wide-ranging. We are interested in all innovative & novel technologies as well as the effective reduction to practice of more established technologies that lead to increase effectiveness and efficiencies for the Laboratory Scientist.
Our members from the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, CRO, Consultant and Academic Communities in the Greater Delaware Valley Area share their knowledge and expertise with each other. We are an all-volunteer organization and our events are always FREE to attend.
Your Input is Essential
Let us hear from YOU regarding possible Future Events: Talks, Panel Discussions, Virtual Scientific Meeting, Social Events, Meeting Venues, etc.!
Do you have an expertise in a particular Technology/Process/Methodology that you would be willing to share with fellow scientist in the Greater Delaware Valley Area?
Would you like to compare notes or explore solutions to a problem with your counterparts in other local organizations? Organize presentations and/or panel discussions?
Is there an Instrument/Technology that you would like learn about or to evaluate?
Have you or someone you know published a paper or prepared a talk for an external meeting that might be of interest to some of our local members.
Do you know young local scientist that could benefit from sharing their work with other local scientist.
Would you like to help organize "Online" and "InRealLife" Meetings between members?
Would you like to help in identifying venues that we can use for future meetings?
Would you like to share your Talents, Expertise and Passions with fellow LRIG Philadelphia Members?
To effectively evolve our organization we need to hear from you, our members, on how we can best serve you! We also need you to volunteer your strength and abilities--reach out to us so we can help you do that!
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. In the past 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
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 and Vice-President 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 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. 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 led a Protein Science group within the Global Bioassays and Technology department and later within the chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) department. Jean retired in April 2022, but she maintains an avid interest in laboratory automation and novel technologies that drive scientific discovery.
Jean has been involved with LRIG Philadelphia since its incorporation, serving on the board in various roles.
Philadelphia Advisory Committee (PAC)
We welcome members to lead and champion in areas that interest them. We are looking for the next generation of leadership for the organization. Please contact us if you want to volunteer your talents and strenghts!
Contact
Use Ask-Philly our Public Question & Answer Forum
Vendor and/or Exhibitors Contact us at: PhillyLRIG@gmail.com
Contact LRIG Board at: Philly@lrig.org
Contact Rodney at Rodney.Bednar "AT" Lrig.org
Contact Sharon at Sharon.Matamoros "AT"Lrig.org