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Abstracts of Seminars

July 29 - Aug 1, 1996
"HOT! Topics"

An Alternative to Chemical Disposal--Reuse
Ellen Hanley, U. of California-Berkeley
As the organic and inorganic divisions of any chemistry department have grown, so have the large variety of commercially available chemicals stored in labs of individual research groups. Over time, these chemicals decompose, lose their labels, become useless, sometimes become increasingly hazardous, and then must be disposed of by increasingly expensive means. A chemical reuse facility has been set up at UC Berkeley with the purpose of: 1.) Providing a safe storage area for all chemicals that the original purchaser will not comsume in 3-6 months' time. 2.) Minimizing the volume of hazardous waste that results from over-purchased and incomplete use of chemicals, by facilitating the sharing of chemicals. 3.) Minimizing the multiple purchase and storage of the same chemical by several researchers. The success of the facility has been phenomenal. The how and why of this success will be discussed.
Budgeting: The Razek System
Dr. Joseph Razek
Successful organizations are those that set goals and make plans for achieving those goals. This is the process of planning. In this session, we will discuss the process of planning commonly known an the "budgetary process." Dr. Razek will explain how over the years he has developed his system that utilizes a series of budgets that are integrated to make a master budget. Expect lots of handouts.
CSMM--Is It for Me? A Panel Discussion
Marge Musterman
A short presentation on the process of becoming a certified scientific materials manager followed by a panel discussion consisting of members of the committee and an elite group of certified scientific materials managers. The panel will discuss reasons for certification and benefits to their careers. Questions and comments from the floor will be encouraged.
Don't Be Left Behind on the Information Superhighway
Philip A. Waite, Denison University
Have you ever surfed the Internet and wondered, "How do they do that?" Or you thought, "Wouldn't it be neat to be able to create a WWW site?" WELL YOU CAN!! This seminar contains a step-by-step approach to creating WWW Home Pages. After a brief introduction to the Internet, servers and browsers, a detailed description of HTML, graphics, and links will prepare you for creation of your own home page.
Environmentally Sensitive Lab Purchasing: Oxymoron or Not?
Dee McManus, U. of Minnesota
With regulations coming from local governmental units, as well as state and federal agencies, can labs be environmentally sensitive and still perform their protocols using hazardous wastes and solvents? Lab Services (as a technical procurement group in Purchasing Services working with the University distribution center) and two cross-discipline lab advisory groups have developed an ad hoc program. This program not only identifies the environmentally sensitive products, but makes them available, and educates the research community on their uses. The types of products that have been addressed are detergents, scintillation cocktails, thermometers, cleaners, solvents reduction ideas, and waste management products. Material for handouts will include products, sources, applications,and list pricing. In addition, information will be available about the UMN Chemical Prime Vendor contract, where small packaging and tracking of hazardous chemical purchases are available. Ideas will be shared on how to expand the interest of environmentally sensitive products, through vendor shows, etc. By sharing ideas, the author hopes to stimulate other institutions' interest in establishing similar programs.
Everything You Wanted to Know About Molecular Biology, But Were Afraid to Ask
Joe Vespe
A brief trip through the history of molecular biology. Topics covered are: DNA made easy, the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), restriction enzymes hybridization, nucleic acid synthesis and gel electrophoresis. The lecture will demystify the technology and demonstrate how each of the techniques interrelates in modern research. No previous scientific training is required.
How to Procure Technical Equipment
Matt Gedge
This seminar will be a discussion of the various methods by which highly specialized, technical equipment may be procured. We will emphasize the preparation of bid specifications that get you what you need while maintaining an open, competitive atmosphere. We will also discuss various techniques to involve the supplier community in an appropriate fashion and make the best use of "local knowledge" (faculty members!).
Incompatibility--CHEMICALS
Jody Dowdell
This presentation will begin with a brief introduction to storage incompatibilities and will refer the individuals to outlined steps to determine incompatibilities. First, basic hazards (flammables, oxidizers, reactives, corrosives, and health hazards) will be defined based upon OSHA's definitions. This will be followed by some basic chemistry and descriptions of hazardous substances. The individuals will receive a brief overview of an ANSI label and MSDS to assess basic hazards. Specific incompatibilities and storage considerations will be described. Several examples will be provided. Special considerations such as multiple incompatibilities and specific incompatibilities referencing section 10 of the MSDS will be mentioned. Specific hazards rating systems and Fisher's storage code system will be introduced. Finally, conflicts and special considerations for a storage code system will be discussed.
Interviewing--Is It an Art or Science?
Gary McMillen
The job interview is the cornerstone that shapes the structure and movement of your organization. Nothing you do at work is more important than making a good hiring decision. In this relaxed training session, you will learn to elicit genuine responses that lead to identifying the behavioral, as will as the technical characteristics of the individual.
Inventory Management in a Chemical Environment
Graig Makens
Inventory management software can be a tool to more effectively use existing resources, lower cost, improve safety & compliance, and minimize waste disposal costs. But, is there an inventory management program for you? This presentation will focus on the benefits of using inventory management software in a stockroom or laboratory environment. Several of the available inventory management software programs will be discussed as well as the peripheral equipment (bar code printer, scanners, etc.). Finally, the presentation will look into the future of new developments and trends in chemical inventory management.
Laboratory Fume Hoods and Ventilation Safety
Chris L. Andrews
This seminar presents issues in laboratory fume hood ventilation and safety. The basics of safe airflow ventilation, as they apply to laboratory fume hoods, are discussed. Laboratory fume hoods are defined by airflow type and by use. Decisions to be made during the selection process are considered. Topics include energy conservation, cabinet under-structures, explosion proof needs, perchloric acid, radioactive materials, codes and standards, and exhaust systems design basics.
Purchasing And Storerooms: To Interact or Not to Interact--That is the Question...
Matthew Gedge and Debbie Pusateri, LSU Medical Center
This interactive session is a continuation of the dialogue begun by Aarianne Osberg at last year's meeting. Both purchasing and the storeroom serve the same basic goal, to please the customer. This discussion will compare the varying roles of purchasing and the storeroom and how we at LSU Medical Center work together to best serve the customer in the most convenient, cost saving manner. NAOSMM members are asked to come ready to discuss their joys and sorrows in this highly group-based session.
Safety: Make the Best of a Bad Experience
Glen Thornley, Utah State University
In the business of scientific materials we have all dealt with "Safety Matters." As NAOSMM members, we have taken pride in our awareness and training. Despite our best efforts, there are no guarantees. This session will review the experience of an accident. Slides will show the immediate results. A discussion will follow outlining the response of key individuals. The overall purpose of this session will be to outline the "good" that came from an unfortunate experience. A project that improves the safety of every building on our campus was a direct result.
Utilizing the Internet
Sonny Neville
The Internet provides any number of fascinatng opportunities for the two-way communication of information. We will explore two applications, one retail and one distribution, that use links to distributors off campus, on-campus data bases, and on-line ordering capabilities. The goal of these services is to increase availability of goods and services on campus for faculty, staff and students via wide-area networking utilizing the Internet.
Your Six Thinking Hats
Katherine (Katie) Goetzmann
We'll explore deliberate modes of thinking using Edward de Bono's "Six Thinking Hats." Dr. de Bono is an international authority in the field of conceptual thinking and teaching thinking as a skill. He originated the concept of lateral thinking, was a Rhodes scholar at Oxford and held faculty appointments at Oxford, Cambridge, London, and Harvard. His thinking concepts are applied by some of the world's largest corporations. (Being a Physician, he's also really into brain theory. I'll spare us that!) You will be invited to participate in simple activities to help focus thinking, become more aware of our thinking process, and learn a tangible way to translate intention into action.
Roundtable Discussion
Moderated by Jonathna Gibbons, Sphinx Pharmaceuticals Co.
How do you apply customer service criteria to an academic and corporate environment as a means of raising professional standards? 1) How do you identify your customers both internal and external? 2) How do you evaluate your customers' needs? 3) How do you evaluate whether your services are meeting your customers' needs and what written procedure is in place to monitor this process? 4) What have you done to raise your professional standards and how do you convey this to your supervisor? Be prepared to complete a short survey on the following: This informatin will be used by NAOSMM members in their respective regions to help in future negotiations.