Abstract
“This special issue of JALA is a testament to the power of the close connection maintained between ALA activities.”
Biochemist Ida Rolf once said, “An effective human being is a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.” The same can be said for organizations like the Association for Laboratory Automation—of which, JALA is one of several mission-critical components that work on behalf of members.
The ALA continuum of educational programs and events reflects the interests and priorities of lab automation specialists from coast to coast and around the globe. In turn, it also represents the collective effort of many individual experts—volunteers whose talent, expertise, insight, energy, and enthusiasm fuel the ever changing and evolving dynamics of this growing organization. Collectively, ALA members, conference attendees, exhibitors, committees, and member-elected leaders maintain the momentum and focus that keep the organization pertinent and drive it forward.
Everything ALA offers has a certain degree of value in and of itself. Every individual issue of JALA, every short course, every conference session, and every single exhibit booth is capable of generating the kind of information, ideas and answers that can result in tangible, on-the-job breakthroughs for the professionals who participate in them. But the key to even greater success is the connectivity between these opportunities.
JALA does not exist in a vacuum. It is supported by a solid foundation of active ALA members who participate in the planning and preparation of each issue. In 2003, the JALA volunteer team totaled 25 editorial board members, two scientific advisors, 79 peer reviewers, and 224 contributing authors—many of whom also contributed to the design and delivery of other ALA programs and events like LabAutomation and ALA LabFusion. In combination, ALA's educational line-up creates a full complement, a “whole” that is indeed much more valuable than the sum of its individual parts.
This special issue of JALA is a testament to the power of the close connection maintained between ALA activities. The short technical briefs featured are all based on posters presented at LabAutomation2004 in San Jose. They represent the work of more than 70 different lab automation specialists, some of whom are just beginning their careers, others with more than 20 years of hands-on experience. Their vision and voices come together through ALA and reach out to the scientific community through its channels of education. They contribute to the foundation of insight and understanding that the ALA is constructing constantly. They shape a unique professional network; and they enrich the thoughts, knowledge bases and career paths of those who take advantage of their membership in this pertinent and important organization.
Sincerely,
