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NCSLI New York City Section Meeting

The NYC section will be offering a 1-day meeting on May 12 offering four presentations covering various topics pertaining to Temperature (transitioning from mercury to alternative thermometers), Liquid Handling (pipetting techniques and ergonomics), Humidity (new concept in the calibration of humidity chambers) and Weighing (avoiding errors and proper techniques). This event is suggested for dedicated laboratory personnel, technicians, instructors, laboratory supervisors and quality professionals. This meeting provides an opportunity to learn, network and share ideas.

Meeting Speakers:

Topic: Transitioning from Mercury Thermometers to Alternative Thermometers
Speaker: Dawn Cross, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Abstract: Over the last 9 years, NIST has actively participated in several national and international phase-out efforts to identify alternative thermometers for a broad range of measurement applications. The use of mercury thermometers has been virtually eliminated in routine hospital use, but a wide variety of regulations and test methods in the petroleum, concrete, and pharmaceuticals, to name a few, continue to specify mercury-in-glass thermometers. NIST will continue to support our stakeholders by providing technical and scientific support to find suitable alternative thermometers that meet their measurement needs. Several U.S. government, state agencies, and international organizations are driving the removal of mercury thermometers as a means to reduce mercury in the environment.

Learning Objectives:

1. What Thermometer type will best suite your needs
2. General Issues with Replace Mercury-in-Glass Thermometers
3. Examples of Subtle Device/Readout

Bio: Mrs. Dawn Cross has worked at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the Thermometry Group since 1994. Mrs. Cross is responsible for the Industrial Thermometer Calibration Laboratory (ITCL) calibration of industrial platinum resistance thermometers, thermocouples, thermistors, and liquid-in-glass thermometers over the range of -196 °C to 550 °C. As part of her responsibility for the ITCL, Mrs. Cross maintains the NIST quality system documentation and measurement assurance to maintain compliance with the NIST QMs and ISO/IEC 17025. Mrs. Cross started being a NVLAP assessor in 2005 for NIST and 2008 for outside laboratories. Education, Skills, and Proficiencies High School Graduate (1980); Continuing education courses at Montgomery College, MD. Mrs. Cross has taught courses at the Measurement Science Conference, March 2010, 2011, 2013 and will be teaching in 2015 covering SPRT's, LiG's, PRT's, Thermistors, Assessing Labs. Assessor training received from Pi Group, NVLAP, and PMD Quality Manager.

Topic: Pipetting Academy™
Speaker: Melissa Winters, Sartorius Corporation

Abstract: Pipetting is an everyday task in most laboratories; however, proper technique and avoiding ergonomic risks are pivotal for achieving good results. This seminar, presented in two modules (Pipetting Techniques and Ergonomics) will give you the background knowledge and practical insights to work efficiently and safely for the best pipetting results. A certificate of completion will also be handed out at the end of the seminar.

Learning Objectives:

1. Know what your pipette is capable of and when to use which pipetting technique
2. Be able to instruct your co-workers on ergonomic pipetting postures and solutions

Bio: Melissa Winters graduated from Simmons College in Boston, MA with a degree in Biology. After graduation, Ms. Winters worked as an HPLC Applications Scientist for Sepracor and then as a Staff Scientist for Epic Therapeutics while attending graduate school for Immunology at Boston University Medical School. After 5 years in the lab, Ms. Winters moved into a sales position with Dionex and also held sales positions with Bio-Rad and Buchi until beginning her career at Sartorius in 2011, where she started as a Laboratory Sales Rep, then a Sales Specialist for Liquid Handling & Lab Filtration and now holds the position of Manager of the Field Marketing group in North America.

Topic: New Concept in the Calibration of Climatic Chambers (Specifically Humidity Chambers)
Speaker: Jun Bautista, Masy BioServices

Abstract: This presentation will touch upon chamber calibration related topics with special emphasis on humidity chambers in terms of the most recent updates, proposed changes, recommended practices, and compliance to the mandates and conformance to established local and international standards and guidelines. Highlighted during this presentation will be the measurement uncertainties that may necessarily be considered when calibrating climatic chambers. I will also be demonstrating the concept of 0% RH as a reference (not a measurement) point and the rationale behind its usage. As a bonus, we will be exhibiting new concepts in climatic chamber design and manufacturing that support the measurement uncertainty elements in climatic chamber calibrations.

Learning Objectives:

1. Climatic Chambers (Humidity Chambers) Design Concepts, 2 Pressure Generator vs. Vapor Mixing
2. Calibration Methods
3. Measurement Uncertainties in the Calibration and Certification of Humidity Chambers
4. Future Look and Features of Humidity Chambers and the Market Demands and Challenges

Bio: Dr. Cesar "Jun" Bautista has over 35 years of combined experience in metrology, 16 years of which are Biotech, Bio-Pharmaceutical, and Biomedical Device related. He has over 20 years of USAF PMEL experience, 6 years of combined experience as Sr. Director of Operations & Corporate Metrology, Regional Manager and Senior Vice-President of several third party calibration companies, one of which he co-founded. Jun is currently the Sr. Director, of Laboratory Operations for Masy BioServices, one of the East Coast's premier metrology services provider. Jun Bautista holds a B.S. Management Engineering, M.A. Public Administration, M.S. Systems Management, MBA from Harvard Business School and a PhD in Biomedical Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Topic: How to Avoid Influencing Factors in the Weighing Process
Speaker: Jennifer Camarda, Sartorius Corporation

Abstract: This presentation highlights the prerequisites needed for accurate measurements and identifies influencing factors that can cause errors in the weighing process. These include factors from balance specifications, environmental influences and numerous effects from vessels, samples and users. This presentation also details the proper place to setup a balance within a laboratory and the best operating practices in order to minimize these influencing factors to promote accurate weighing.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify influencing factors that can cause weighing errors
2. Learn how to avoid or prevent these influencing factors to promote accurate weighing

Bio: Jennifer Camarda graduated with a degree in Chemistry from Hofstra University. Ms. Camarda has over 18 years of experience working in the laboratory instrumentation field, with positions that included research chemist, technical applications specialist, product manager, and is currently a weighing sales specialist for nearly 5 years at Sartorius Corporation with the responsibility of supporting the premium balance and mass comparator product lines. Ms. Camarda is also an active member of the ASTM E41 committee and the American Chemical Society.

Sponsors

Sartorius Corporation


  Thursday, May 12, 2016

8:00 AM
  
8:30 AM  
  
Registration & Continental Breakfast 

8:30 AM

9:00 AM 

Introduction and NCSLI Updates; Marcus McNeely
 
9:00 AM

10:30 AM
 
Transitioning from Mercury Thermometers to Alternative Thermometers; Dawn Cross, NIST

10:30 AM

11:00 AM 

Break

11:00 AM

12:00 PM

Pipetting Academy™, Melissa Winters, Sartorius Corporation

12:00 PM

1:00 PM 

Lunch 

1:00 PM

2:00 PM 

New Concept in the Calibration of Climatic Chambers (Specifically Humidity Chambers), Jun Bautista, Masy BioServices

2:00 PM

2:30 PM

Break 

2:30 PM

3:15 PM 

How to Avoid Influencing Factors in the Weighing Process, Jennifer Camarda, Sartorius Corporation

3:15 PM

4:00 PM 

Q&A's / Group Picture / Wrap-up 

4:00 PM  
Adjourn 

If hotel accommodations are necessary, please contact %20jennifer.camarda [at] sartorius.com (Jennifer Camarda) for more information.

Created March 31, 2016, Updated May 13, 2016