January 30 - February 3, 2027
San Diego, CA, USA
January 30 - February 3, 2027
San Diego, CA, USA
This course provides an overview of current standards, industry best practices, and emerging trends in sample management across the drug discovery and development lifecycle. Participants will explore the foundational principles of compound management, including strategies for maintaining sample integrity, measuring quality, and ensuring long-term usability.
Recognizing the growing importance of biologics in modern drug discovery, the course will also address best practices for the management of biological reagents, and clinical sample management. Key considerations for preserving sample quality, regulatory compliance, chain of custody, and data integrity will be discussed.
As technology continues to transform laboratory operations, the course will examine the role of automation, digitalization, and data-driven workflows in improving efficiency, scalability, and sample stewardship. Particular emphasis will be placed on change management strategies that enable successful adoption of new technologies and sustainable operational transformation.
Participants will leave with practical insights into current challenges, future directions, and proven approaches for building and maintaining high-quality sample management programs.
Susan Crimmin, Ph.D.
Sue Crimmin, Ph.D., is currently running her own consulting firm focusing on drug discovery, sample management, logistics, automation and new technology. She has been an active volunteer with SLAS for many years, including a 3-year term as an SLAS Board Member, and recently retired form her role as VP of Discovery Supply at GlaxoSmithKline. She is a recognized industry expert in sample management, automation and has worked in areas of automation, sample management, HTS and IT. Crimin holds a Ph.D. in microbial biochemistry and is a trained Lean Sigma facilitator.
Katheryn Shea
Azenta Life Sciences
Kathi Shea is the Vice President and General Manager of Sample and Repository Services at Azenta Life Sciences. She is a former President of the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) and served on the Advisory Working Group that developed the College of American Pathologists Biorepository Accreditation Program. She has over 30 years of experience leading biorepository programs and advising on the design of biorepositories, quality systems, and optimal methods for collection, preservation and annotation of biospecimen collections.