SBS, ALA merger awaits membership approval

Members to Vote on Uniting as Sections of the New

"Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening"

For the past 18 months, the Society for Biomolecular Sciences (SBS) and the Association for Laboratory Automation (ALA) have been strategizing a merger to unite their complementary missions within the context of one inclusive organization -- the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS). The SBS-ALA merger awaits membership approval via a proxy voting process. If approved, SLAS will become the premier international community dedicated to advancing scientific research and discovery through laboratory technology.

"SBS and ALA are facing one of the most important steps forward in the evolution of our organizations. Despite serving uniquely different scientific niches, our members have very similar educational interests and member service priorities. The SLAS merger will capitalize on both to provide increased opportunities for success," says Jeff Paslay, Ph.D., SBS President. "We highly encourage our members to vote yes for the merger."

With member approval, SBS and ALA will unite as individual sections of SLAS, each retaining its individual identity and specialized educational focus. While they will also retain their individual missions as sections, they will collectively address the overall SLAS mission -- to provide forums for education and information exchange to encourage the study of and improve the science and practice of laboratory automation and screening. In addition, both SBS and ALA will benefit from the expanded scope, international influence, and enhanced program and service offerings that the unified umbrella organization, SLAS, will be able to provide.

"Our organizations have such complementary missions that coming together on a broader level will expand our global reach and influence," says Malcolm Crook, Ph.D., ALA President. "Through the alliance we can leverage each other's strengths to achieve international significance and attract new members who offer increased diversity of knowledge and experience."