QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
April 2014  Vol. 19
NEWSLAB | STAFFING REPORT | EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT | PARTICLE ARTICLES | LAB SUPPORT INDEX | SERVICE OFFERINGS

Promising Agents Burst Through 'Superbug' Defenses to Fight Antibiotic Resistance
—Science Daily

In the fight against ‘superbugs,’ scientists have discovered a class of agents that can make some of the most notorious strains vulnerable to the same antibiotics that they once handily shrugged off. The report on the promising agents called metallopolymers – large, metal-containing molecules – demonstrated that they evaded the bacteria's defensive enzymes and destroyed its protective walls, causing the bacteria to burst.

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How Much Love Should We Show for Our Temporary Workers?
—www.workforce.com

Engaging contingent workers is just as important as engaging permanent staff. Here’s why.

According to a 2012 report by Boston-based Aberdeen Group, contingent workers comprise an average of 26 percent of a company’s workforce, or more than one-quarter. A 2013 report, Rise of the Extended Workforce by Accenture, found that 20 percent to 33 percent of U.S. workers are categorized as contingent labor, including freelancers, temporary workers, independent contractors, seasonal workers and staffing-agency employees.

Organizations are likely to increasingly rely on contingent labor due to economic uncertainty, difficulty finding qualified people, the need for scarce and specific skills, the need for flexibility, and rising costs and regulatory mandates associated with the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This means that at least one­quarter – quite possibly an even higher percentage – of your workforce will have fewer reasons to stick around than the remaining three­quarters of employees. That’s a lot of people who might decide to walk out the door at any time.

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Brya Sturges
Senior Branch Leader
Lab Support Philadelphia

Brya joined our company in March 2000, and has held several roles throughout her career here. Since October 2005, she has been a dedicated member of the Lab Support Philadelphia team where she is currently the Senior Branch Leader.

Brya’s previous work experience as a Medical Technologist at a Pennsylvania hospital where she specialized in microbiology, immunology, and serology has been instrumental in speaking with candidates and clients about technical skills and instrumentation.

One of the things that Brya loves most about her job is that it allows her to meet with clients in many industries who have a wide variety of scientific and engineering staffing needs. It’s also very rewarding for her to guide and assist candidates in their career goals, and especially gratifying when professionals she’s placed eventually become clients.

A great example of Brya’s staffing finesse is also one of her favorite professional-turned-client stories: A few years ago, in a remote area of southern New Jersey that often has staffing challenges for both clients and candidates due to its location, a Lab Supervisor reached out to Brya for assistance. The company that this gentleman worked for was closing and he needed help finding a new position in the area. Brya didn’t have any existing openings with other clients that fit his skill set, so she called another client and told them about her candidate, vouching for his excellent qualifications and stressing that he could train quickly in their industry. He was subsequently hired and is still working for the company three years later. And, he is now Brya’s client.

Brya is also very active in the scientific community. She has been volunteering with Philadelphia IFT for more than six years and handles their communications, newsletters, and announcements. She also sits on their executive committee. Brya received volunteer awards from this organization in 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2013, which included National IFT recognition in 2012 and 2013.

Outside of work, Brya loves being active – spinning, yoga, and running are among her favorite activities. Most summer weekends are spent along the Jersey Shore with friends and family. She is also a huge animal lover and has three dachshunds.



Human-Like System May Improve Drug and Chemical Toxicity Screening
–LabRoots

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Climate Change May Reduce Crop Yields as Early as 2030
–IFT

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Genetic Mutations Warn of Skin Cancer Risk
–insciences organisation

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3 New Ideas For Finding Lost Planes
–Popular Science

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Upsee Harness Helps Kids Stuck in Wheelchairs Get Up on Their Feet
–medgadget

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A Bandage That Senses Tremors, Delivers Drugs, and Keeps a Record
–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:
Flavor and Fragrance
Petrochemical

Six to nine months:
Chemical
Coatings and Polymers
Personal Care Products

Nine to twelve months:
Medical Device

*This insight is based on our comprehensive March 2014 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 and contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire options.
For complete staffing solutions:



Scientific Staffing since 1985.

On Assignment is an Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V.

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