Quarterly NEWSLETTER
July 2013 VOL. 16

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H7N9 Influenza: History of Similar Viruses Gives Cause for Concern
—Science Daily

The H7N9 avian flu strain that emerged in China earlier this year has subsided for now, but it would be a mistake to be reassured by this apparent lull in infections. The virus has several highly unusual traits that paint a disquieting picture of a pathogen that may yet lead to a pandemic, according to lead scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. David Morens, Jeffery Taubenberger, and Anthony Fauci, in a paper published in mBio®, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, describe the history of H7 viruses in animal and human disease and point out that H7 influenza has a tendency to become established in bird, horse, and swine populations and may spillover repeatedly into humans.

“The evidence as a whole is complex and the implications of past outbreaks for predicting the future course of the current H7N9 epizootic [an epidemic among animals] are uncertain,” write the authors.

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Temporary Hiring Expected to Reach a Six-Year High
—CareerBuilder

As market demands for skilled labor increase, more companies are turning to staffing and recruiting companies and temporary workers to help meet increased market demands. Forty percent of employers plan to hire temporary and contract workers in 2013, up four percent since last year and up 12 percent since 2009.

Among these employers, 42 percent plan to transition some temporary workers into full-time, permanent employees in the next 12 months. While companies remain cautiously optimistic about the economic recovery, temporary workers provide an opportunity to meet their labor demands while being attentive to budgeting plans.

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Catherine McCarthy
Senior Branch Leader
Lab Support

Catherine is a seasoned Staffing Consultant at Lab Support, having been with us since January 2001 – about twelve and a half years! She currently is Senior Branch Leader in Chicago, and recruits for our Chicago and Michigan territories.

Catherine has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, and got her first job through a staffing agency, working in an environmental lab testing soil and water samples. This experience led to landing her dream job at a premier lab where she ran HPLCs. She left that position after a few years and found her next dream job at Lab Support as an Account Manager where she ran a Full Desk, fulfilling both Recruiter and Account Executive roles. Through this career path, Catherine has gained a more complete understanding of both the candidate and client experience, which has been beneficial in her current role.

As Senior Branch Leader, Catherine oversees Lab Support’s Chicago branch. She works hard to ensure that the Chicago team provides the best customer service possible – communicating and working together to get things done. She’s proud of the growth they’ve seen during her tenure and how many professionals they’ve successfully placed.

Day-to-day, Catherine works with clients and candidates in a recruiting capacity. She enjoys helping candidates as they begin their career as well as helping higher-level candidates as they advance in their career. It’s especially gratifying for Catherine to see candidates she placed as technicians move up to management roles.

Outside of work, Catherine enjoys spending time with her husband and six-year-old son. She also enjoys reading and gardening.

A Dramatic Finish for Solar Impulse, the Solar-Powered Plane that Flew Across the U.S.
–Popular Science
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What is Farm Runoff Doing to the Water? Scientists Wade In
–NPR
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Probiotics May ‘Counter Obesity and Diabetes’:
NIH Study
–NUTRA Ingredients
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Low-voltage ‘Troll’ Zaps Salt Out of Seawater
–Futurity
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A Rudimentary Liver is Grown from Stem Cells
–MIT Technology Review
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The following Industries expect to have an increase in projects that may result in additional contract staff* within the time frames below:

Four to six months:
Environmental
Food and Beverage
Pharmaceutical

Six to nine months:
Biotechnology
Chemical
Medical Device

Nine to twelve months:
Coatings and Polymers
Petrochemical

*This insight is based on our comprehensive June 2013 survey of contract staffing buyers. The full report is titled, "Lab Support Index." The above results are from the report and are related to buyers' strategies for managing staffing resources.

Through our dedicated divisions, On Assignment (NYSE: ASGN) has the ability to provide a complete range of staffing solutions to meet the needs of most areas within life sciences.

Our Lab Support division fills short- and long-term, contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire science and engineering positions. While our Sharpstream division offers international executive and middle management retained search services. Through our clinical research division, Valesta, we provide recruitment solutions that include functional outsourcing as well as contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire options.

For complete staffing solutions: