The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) Announces its Annual Life Science and Technology Awards

The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) Announces its Annual Life Science and Technology Awards

Newswise — San Diego, CA, USA — Science and technology awards were announced during SLAS2020 International Conference and Exhibition, the annual flagship event of the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening. Each year SLAS recognizes several exceptional attendees and exhibitors who represent the best of the Society’s programs and mission. The complete list of the 2020 award descriptions and winners follow:

SLAS Innovation Award

The most prestigious award of the conference, the SLAS Innovation Award, was given to Joseph De Rutte, M.S., (University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA) for his scientific podium presentation, “High-Throughput Encapsulation and Selection of Cells Based on Antibody Secretion Using Lab-on-a-Particle Technology.” The SLAS Innovation Award recognizes one exceptional and innovative podium presentation during the conference. The winning presentation exceeds a benchmark or milestone in screening or the lead discovery process or demonstrates an advanced and integrated use of mature technologies. The award includes a $10,000 cash prize disbursed after the winner submits a scientific manuscript (original research or a related review paper) for peer-reviewed publication in SLAS Discovery or SLAS Technology, the scientific journals of SLAS. 

2020 New Product Award Winners

The New Product Award is given to companies showcasing new products that are commercially available within 90 days pre- and post-conference. Products are evaluated by a judging panel who look at a variety of qualifications before and at the conference. Winning products are granted use of the New Product Award designation for a year and the award is promoted through SLAS. This year’s winners were:

Bioelectronica (Reno, NV, USA)

Hypercell

V&P Scientific, Inc. (San Diego, CA, USA)

SpinVessel

2020 SLAS Ignite Award

Correlia Biosystems (Berkeley, CA, USA) was named this year’s 2020 SLAS Ignite Award winner from among the 16 companies participating in Innovation AveNEW, a specially designated area on the exhibition floor highlighting start-ups and emerging companies. Judging is based on the overall marketing plan, market presence and potential, funding prospects, plan for growth and the existence of a balanced company leadership, as well as a brief presentation made at the conference. For their win, Correlia Biosystems receives a $5,000 cash prize.

SLAS2020 Student Poster Competition

The SLAS2020 Student Poster Competition Award winners were chosen out of more than 300 poster abstract submissions and were judged on various content and design themes. The SLAS Student Poster Award recognizes the innovative research by students, graduate students, post-doctoral associates and junior faculty (less than four years in first academic appointment) who are chosen to present a poster during the SLAS International Conference and Exhibition. This year’s winners are:

Choon Leng So, School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland A High-Throughput Assessment of Calcium Signaling in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells Expressing the Genetically Encoded Calcium Indicator GCaMP6m and Cultured in Different Matrix Stiffness Shingo Honda, The University of Tokyo An Air-Sealed Multi-Dimensional (MD) Digital Assay for Detection of Inhibitor-Resistant Influenza Virus Sunil Singh, University of Akron A High-Throughput Organotypic Breast Tumor Model Elucidates Dynamic Remodeling of Tumor Microenvironment

Tony B. Academic Travel Awards

Finally, SLAS distributed 53 Tony B. Academic Travel Awards to students, graduate students, post-doctoral researchers and junior faculty from 12 different countries chosen for their original scientific research. Winning submissions are selected by a panel of judges and evaluated on the relevance of the research to the conference program, statement of value of the conference and overall scientific merit. Each winner has a chance to present their research at the meeting and receives roundtrip travel, shared hotel accommodations and full conference registration.

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The SLAS International Conference and Exhibition is an annual event showcasing the world’s leading life sciences and technology products, services and education. This year, 6,000 scientists, academicians, technology providers and business leaders attended the annual conference in San Diego, CA, USA, for an innovative educational program focused on life sciences discovery and technology. The Exhibition portion of the conference hosted a record-breaking 337 life sciences technology companies from around the world.

SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international community of 16,000 professionals and students dedicated to life sciences discovery and technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building.

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