Abstract
The Association for Laboratory Automation (ALA) resides at the foundation of academic, industrial, and government innovation. At the heart of these breakthroughs, the Journal of the Association for Laboratory Automation (JALA) serves as a premier medium for the promotion and communication of some of the most significant advances of our time. Because of JALA's unique position in the ever-evolving landscape of research and development, particularly at the core of a diverse set of fields, its future as a leading scientific publication is brighter than ever before. Thanks to the leadership and vision of Doug Gurevitch in his role as the executive editor, coupled with the outstanding teamwork of the JALA Editorial Board and publication team, JALA is poised to impact both existing fields of inquiry, and play a key role in communicating advances that create new fields of innovation.
There has never been a more important time for the intersection of the many disciplines powered by laboratory automation to address the major challenges that face our generation. Every day, advancements are being made at the forefront of biology, engineering, medicine, and beyond that are redefining the technologies that drive discovery. The innate multidisciplinary backbone of JALA speaks to the dynamic audience that comprises the integrative field of laboratory automation that is continually evolving and impacting new corners of innovation. As such, JALA provides a unique viewpoint of how technologies are developed at the fundamental/basic/translational domains (academia and government), and how they are applied in the marketplace and used in practice (industry).
To build on the years of strong JALA growth that have preceded this new chapter in the journal's future, it is of paramount importance to note that JALA is your publication, and its continued success is dependent on the dynamic and cutting-edge contributions of the outstanding authors, reviewers, and editorial board members that have sustained its rich history and role as an invaluable resource. As such, the realization of the dynamic vision for this publication will be born from the direct involvement of the community that it serves.
The achievements of our contributors serve as the lifeblood of JALA's role as a beacon on laboratory automation breakthroughs. With this in mind, the “JALA Spirit of Mentorship” serves as the foundation of the JALA publishing program, where the publication of top-quality articles will be driven by a responsive, structured, and proactive peer-review system. Reader and reviewer feedback will be an essential part of our service to the laboratory automation community, and as such, please feel welcome to communicate actively with our outstanding JALA Managing Editor Nan Hallock (
It is a privilege serving as the Editor-in-Chief of JALA, and I'd like to express my gratitude to the ALA Board of Directors and JALA Editorial Board members for giving me the opportunity to take part in the exciting challenges before us. Together as a team, we will be a part of the bright future that laboratory automation will play in defining a new generation of scientific breakthroughs.
Sincerely,
