Laboratory Business Operations
The Center for Analytical Chemistry’s (CAC) Business Operation program, LBO, supports the branch by providing guidance and support in several key areas, including human resources, personnel management and training, acquisitions for laboratory equipment and supplies, contracting for CAC vendors, budget management for the branch, and ensuring the facilities and CAC complex are in proper working order.
Nucleus Team
The Nucleus Team at the Center for Analytical Chemistry is comprised of a centralized group of skilled and diverse technicians trained to support multiple sections of the Food Safety and Environmental Safety laboratories. Nucleus staff perform a variety of critical functions, including sample receiving, preparation, extraction, and analysis, as well as ensuring chain of custody is maintained. Team members also input client sample information, tracking, and other pertinent data into a Laboratory Information Management System, which allows the laboratories to automate workflow, integrate instruments, and manage samples. Finally, the Nucleus Team verifies critical supplies are fit for function, such as laboratory pipettes, balances, temperature control devices, and extraction media.
Research and Development Team
The Research and Development (R&D) Team at the Center for Analytical Chemistry provides analytical an applied research and development services and leadership as a reference laboratory in method development. The team performs a variety of method development services for enforcement and monitoring activities of emerging compounds of interest for the protection of human health, food system, and the environment. Method development includes development of a new approach in testing for a wide variety of matrices, including, but not limited to, fresh produce, food, air, surface water, ground and drinking water, soil, animal feed, and fertilizing materials. This is accomplished through the use of modernized and state-of-the-art technology and by utilizing improvement, validation, and transfer of existing testing methodologies as needed. The capabilities of the team provide regulatory, enforcement, and monitoring programs the opportunity to creatively solve human health and food and environmental issues by using customized methods which meet and exceed analytical testing challenges while surpassing the limitations of analyzing and testing chemicals in complex matrices.
