[DCHAS-L] Join Us at the Next CHASWebTalks - October 22, 2026

Dear CHAS Members,

You are invited to attend CHASWebTalks, a CHAS WebSeries bringing two talks from each National ACS meeting to you.  The next CHASWebTalks will be on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 12 pm Eastern, 11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific.  We will have two presentations from the Fall 2026 National ACS Meeting in Chicago, IL. 

Register now for the October 22nd CHASWebTalks (you must register to be sent to link to the zoom meeting):

https://CHASWebTalksOct22.eventbrite.com 

We are pleased to host: 

Angelina Harley

Angelina Harley has been a Formulation Scientist in Bioproduct Research and Development at Eli Lilly since 2024. She obtained her B.S. degree in genetics from Clemson University, where she worked under Dr. Jessica Larsen studying the encapsulation of Cas9 using polymer-based nanoparticles.

Abstract

Advancing Safety Through Prevention in Biologic Drug Product Development.

Biological parenteral drug substances and drug products present unique occupational safety challenges. The development and manufacture of these materials can present environmental and community safety considerations that extend beyond the laboratory walls, particularly as biologics pipelines scale and diversify. This presentation examines the unique safety risks encountered in pharmaceutical R&D laboratories and pilot-scale manufacturing environments during biologic parenteral development. Occupational exposure banding strategies for novel biologic compounds are discussed as a practical framework for laboratory hazard control rooted in prevention-first principles. This presentation provides a structure for recognizing and mitigating hazards specific to biologic parenteral materials, applicable to laboratory scientists, engineers, and educators working across pharmaceutical development and community safety.

and 

Prof. Craig Merlic

Dr. Craig Merlic is a Distinguished Research Professor in the UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. His chemical research has focused on applications of transition metal organometallic chemistry to organic synthesis and extends from catalysis to synthesis of new chemotherapeutic agents. His most recent work examined copper, iridium and palladium catalyzed cross coupling reactions. His current professional focus is actively promoting research safety at UCLA, the University of California system and universities across the nation. At the University of California system-wide level, he is the Executive Director of the UC Center for Laboratory Safety (https://cls.ucla.edu). During 2022 and 2023 he served as a federal commissioner and Vice Chair of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Safety Commission under the US Department of Commerce (https://www.nist.gov/director/nist-safety-commission).

Abstract

Avoiding the next fire: Lessons learned from incidents with high hazard reagents

Small errors while working with high hazard regents can have profound consequences. This presentation will report on a number of serious incidents that occurred to researchers while handling high hazard regents. By examining contributing and proximate causes for these incidents, specific recommendations are made to guide work with explosive, pyrophoric, and reactive chemical compounds. The guidance is applicable not only to researchers, but also to principal investigators and EH&S professionals.

Contact Monica Hensley (monica.nyansa**At_Symbol_Here**gmail.com) with any questions. We appreciate you sharing this new web series with your respective networks