Steve Beckett

Sr Technical Sales Specialist, Liquid Handling Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Steve Beckett’s presentation on “Best Practices for Improved Pipetting Ergonomics” will draw on his decades of expertise in the product management of ergonomic pipetting systems. He has been pivotal in increasing the adoption of electronic pipettes, enhancing pipetting consistency and throughput, while minimising the exposure to harmful pipetting forces.

Steve has been part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific Liquid Handling team in the UK and Ireland since 2012, and his current role is Sr Technical Sales Specialist, Liquid Handling Solutions. In this role, Steve brings Thermo Fisher colleagues together with key customer technical and purchasing teams to provide training and support on pipetting techniques and help solve pipette-related RSI problems through education and adoption of ergonomic pipetting practices and solutions.

In this informative presentation, Steve will guide you through essential strategies to enhance your pipetting technique and ensure a safer, more ergonomic work environment.

Title: Best Practices For Improved Pipetting Ergonomics.

William Clarke

Senior Assessment Manager, Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB).

William’s presentation, titled “The Process for Accreditation to ISO 20387 with INAB” will cover an introduction to INAB, the benefits of accreditation, and the steps involved in applying for accreditation. 

William is a Senior Assessment Manager at the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB), where he plays a crucial role in assessing standards such as ISO 17025 (Testing Laboratories), ISO 15189 (Medical Testing Laboratories), ISO 20387 (Biobanking), and ISO 17020 (Inspection Bodies).

As the policy lead for ISO 15189 and ISO 20387, William acts as the main point of contact for healthcare authorities and stakeholders in Ireland. William represents INAB in European forums, including the EA Healthcare and Biobanking Working Group. His extensive experience also includes collaborating with European colleagues on policy and guideline updates.

Title: The Process for Accreditation to ISO 20387 with INAB.

John Cobb

Group Microbiologist, PMT (GB) Limited.

John will present ” Introducing a Rapid Method for Bioburden Monitoring of Water”. John has a wealth of experience in environmental monitoring and  has been involved in introducing real-time and rapid microbiology methods for the bioburden monitoring of air and water as a replacement for traditional agar-based methods.

With a background in GMP and over 30 years of experience, John has been part of a working group that first looked into irradiating culture media for the Pharmaceutical Industry and has been involved in the design, build, and manufacture of a number of ranges of active air samplers.

Title: Introducing a Rapid Method for Bioburden Monitoring of Water.

Steve Cole

Technical Sales Specialist Centrifugation, Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Steve will present the critical topic of centrifuge and rotor safety, ergonomics, and best practices. His presentation enhances laboratory safety and ensures best practices when working with centrifuges. From small bench-top general-purpose and clinical centrifuges to large-capacity blood banking models, as well as super-speed and ultracentrifuges, Steve’s in-depth knowledge will empower you with the tools needed for safe centrifuge operation, reducing the risk of accidents and equipment damage in your lab.

Steve has an extensive career in laboratory equipment, consumables, chemicals, and cell culture plasticware sales dating back to 1990, Steve brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.

Title: Centrifuge and Rotor Safety.

Julie Egan

Quality Manager, Children’s Health Ireland.

Julie’s talk is titled “The Journey to  ISO 15189:2022 Accreditation – Department of Clinical Genetics Laboratory”  and will outline the journey the Department of Clinical Genetics Laboratory has taken to achieve accreditation to ISO 15189 ‘Medical Laboratories — Requirements for Quality and Competence’. Julie will delve into the challenges encountered and the laboratory approach required for accreditation

Julie is the Quality Manager at the Department of Clinical Genetics Laboratory, Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin. Julie worked as a Senior Clinical Embryologist (Assisted Human Reproduction) for over a decade before moving to Quality Management. She holds an MSc in Animal Science, a graduate Diploma in Quality & Risk Management, and a Higher Diploma in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Manufacturing. The Department of Clinical Genetics Laboratory is the first Irish medical laboratory accredited to the revised ISO 15189:2022 standards. 

Title: The Journey to ISO 15189:2022 Accreditation – Department of Clinical Genetics Laboratory.

Antti Leino

Director at Lifecycle Consultancy Services.

Antti is an internationally educated and highly motivated professional, with over fifteen years of experience across consulting, engineering, and international business. With a robust educational foundation and an MBA, Antti has built a versatile career working in dynamic environments, delivering clinical laboratory projects across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and North and South America.

Throughout his career, Antti has demonstrated a strong capability for navigating complex projects, excelling in business case development, procurement delivery, and process-based design for laboratories. His diverse professional experience has equipped him with the confidence and expertise to work effectively in fast-paced, multicultural settings, ensuring the successful delivery of innovative and strategic solutions.

Title: Navigating Procurement Challenges in Laboratories: Consultancy Support for Projects where local Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are key suppliers.

Dulan Liyanage

Market Development Representative, My Green Lab / Impact Laboratories.

Dulan Liyanage, a prominent advocate for sustainability in laboratory environments from My Green Lab and Impact Laboratories, will be one of our featured speakers at this year’s MSC Expo! Throughout his career, Dulan has been at the forefront of driving sustainability in academic labs and now focuses on guiding manufacturers to enhance the sustainability of lab products through the ACT Ecolabel program.

My Green Lab, a non-profit organisation, is on a mission to foster a global culture of sustainability in the scientific community. As the world leader in establishing internationally recognised sustainability standards for laboratories and lab products, My Green Lab is transforming the way science is conducted. They offer certification programs, educational resources, and advocacy initiatives designed to help labs reduce their environmental footprint and adopt more sustainable practices.

Dulan will discuss the growing need for third-party-verified sustainability in lab products and share insights on how the ACT Ecolabel can help reduce the environmental impact of lab procurement.

Title: My Green Lab: What is a Green Lab Product?

Dubhaltach Mac Lochlainn

Head of NSAI, National Metrology Laboratory.

Dubhaltach will offer an overview of the measurement infrastructure at both national and international levels and highlight the various services provided by NML. He will also address common calibration queries, with a particular focus on the requirements of ISO 17025 and other quality management standards.

Dubhaltach, with over 25 years of experience in measurement and calibration, specialising in temperature and humidity measurement, was recently appointed as the head of the National Metrology Laboratory.

Title: How to Measure with Confidence.

Ross McCarthy

Managing Director, Keystone Procurement

Ross McCarthy is the Managing Director of Keystone Procurement, a leading procurement advisory firm that works with public, private, and non-profit organisations to streamline their procurement, sourcing, and tendering processes. Under his leadership, Keystone Procurement also provides specialised training for buyers and suppliers, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate all aspects of tendering effectively.

In addition to his role at Keystone Procurement, Ross has been deeply involved in advocacy and representation for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). He is a former Chair and current National Council Member of the Irish SME Association (ISME), an organisation dedicated to supporting the growth and success of SMEs across Ireland. On the European stage, he serves as Vice President of SMEUnited, an influential organisation representing over 20 million SMEs across the EU in Brussels, championing their interests in European policy-making.

Title: Procurement of specialised equipment: the role of market research and engagement in driving successful outcomes.

Jack O’ Grady

Senior Programme Manager, My Green Lab.

Jack is the Senior Programmes Manager at the International Non-Profit Organisation, My Green Lab. He is based out of Limerick, Ireland, from where he supports laboratories globally involved in the My Green Lab Certification Programme. His responsibilities also involve the administrative work and management of both the International Freezer Challenge, My Green Lab Ambassador Programme and lead generation for My Green Lab.

Jack holds a First Class Honours Degree in Nutrition & Health Science, which he earned from Munster Technological University in 2019. His academic background, combined with his passion for environmental sustainability, informs his approach to promoting greener solutions in scientific research.

Title: My Green Lab Certification: A Journey towards Sustainable Science.

Dr Kieran Ryan

Head of Knowledge Transfer, Atlantic Technological University.

Dr Kieran Ryan’s presentation will discuss academic-industry collaboration, drawing on experiences from Ireland and abroad. Dr ryan will also present how companies interested in collaborating with universities can start and the work by agencies like Knowledge Transfer Ireland in simplifying the process.

Dr Ryan has held various roles at the University of Galway, including Commercialisation Executive in Lifesciences and Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager. He has been pivotal in identifying and protecting intellectual property, managing stakeholder relationships, licensing technologies, and steering research toward market needs while supporting start-up ventures. Previously, as Manager of the Regenerative Medicine Institute, he oversaw strategic development, grant management, and stakeholder engagement. His expertise includes technology transfer, business development, research commercialisation, and expanding research infrastructure.

Title: Industry-Academic Collaboration.