Developing the Lab on a Chip–microTAS community

Many people assign success to a variety of singular issues such as individuals, events and times. Whilst many of these may be important, something I have learned both internally at the Royal Society of Chemistry and externally is that more often than not, real success is really down to teamwork.

As an example, take the microTAS Conference – our largest and most significant community conference of the year. It would be impossible to run this meeting without the hundreds of scientists that volunteer their time to:

(a) Look at and filter the 1200 or so abstracts submitted each year.

(b) Judge the posters during the conference.

(c) Be part of either the local or organising committee that organises and arranges the conference, exhibition and associated (social) events.

(d) Be part of the scientific committee with responsibility for the plenaries and scientific sessions.

(e) Be part of the main and advisory boards that run the Chemical and Biological Microsystems Society (CBMS) and ensure consistency and provide the necessary expertise, assistance and advice to the current chair. Importantly, they also look at future bids for the meeting and ensure that they have the necessary backing and support to allow future meetings to be successful.

Furthermore, although they are not volunteers, the whole meeting is very ably, successfully and professionally supported by Preferred Meeting Management Inc. (PMMI).

As a consequence of this incredible amount of teamwork, and the fact that the conference travels to a different geographical region and country each year, a huge number of us as community members are involved in the continuing success of these meetings. Even, if we are “only” speakers, poster presenters, exhibitors, sponsors or participants.

So what is my point? Well, I have a few as follows:

Firstly, I chose the microTAS Conference as an example, because Lab on a Chip has had a very successful relationship with this conference, using it to reach out to a large part of the community through sponsorship of awards and prizes to support the up-and-coming members of our international community.

Second, that microTAS is a great example of where excellent teamwork and community buy-in has brought great success. In my mind this community spirit and almost “family” atmosphere will lead to scientific successes through both collaboration and friendly competition.

Third, it is my firm belief that it is extremely rare for any individual to achieve great success without the support of other team members. Even though the most significant prizes in science, the Nobel Prizes, are awarded to particular individuals, those individuals will often acknowledge that they are only the figureheads representing a great team that led them to their discoveries. As team leaders ourselves, we all need to remember this when accepting accolades, awards and recognition.

With this in mind, I have to acknowledge that when I announced that I was stepping down as Editor of Lab on a Chip, I received many wonderful and humbling accolades, from around the world, about my contribution to the development of the Lab on a Chip and microTAS communities. However, I am proud to recognise that I have been privileged to work with excellent teams both within the Royal Society of Chemistry and externally. For example, my many internal colleagues who are responsible for commissioning content and producing the journal twice a month; the many wonderful Editorial and Advisory Board Members, past & present, who continue to challenge us to do more and do better; the Associate Editors, Aaron Wheeler, Abe Lee, Albert van den Berg and Jianhua Qin, who do such a fantastic job fielding papers for peer review; and of course we were extremely fortunate to have two inspirational Editors-in-Chief; Andreas Manz, who not only helped develop the concept of Lab on a Chip, but with his commitment and drive helped ensure that the journal was a success right from the start; and George Whitesides, who has brought his significant experience and skills to bear on the further development and future of the journal, and indeed the entire field through his opinions and Editorials, which he has shared and continues to share with us. To all of the above, I say a heartfelt thank you for the privilege of working with you.

As I move on to develop new business opportunities for the Royal Society of Chemistry, Professor Whitesides and the rest of the Editorial Board will remain in place. I am sure my successor will be announced as soon as it is possible.

From me, I say farewell with gratitude for your tremendous support and friendship.

 

Harp Minhas

Executive Editor, Lab on a Chip

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