Abstract
Mark F. Russo, Ph.D., Executive Editor
For those interested in laboratory automation, the beginning of each new year typically brings with it a roar of new ideas and opportunities thanks to the annual ALA LabAutomation conference. Thousands converge in the California sunshine to listen and learn from experts, exchange ideas with colleagues, and explore what's new in laboratory technology and instrumentation. It's a busy week, one that's filled with motivating experiences, meaningful knowledge, and important contacts. But ALA does not begin or end there—JALA maintains this valuable flow of information throughout the entire year.
JALA keeps ALA members in touch with insightful thought-leaders who voluntarily share their knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm through comprehensive technical reports, interesting scientific briefs, educational JALA tutorials, technology reviews, and more. It's at ALA events such as LabAutomation and ALA LabFusion that the ALA continuum of knowledge assumes a three-dimensional shape, and JALA literally comes to life.
We encourage you to watch for JALA—“live and in person”—at ALA LabAutomation 2004 in San Jose, February 1 to 5. Seek out the authors whose work interested you; speak with them and toast them at the JALA Author's Reception. Look for members of the JALA Editorial Board and tell them what you liked best about the issues you read this year and what you'd like to read more about in future issues. Attend our JALA Author's Workshop and find out how you can become a JALA author and why it's important that you do.
Whether in print in JALA or in person at LabAutomation or ALA LabFusion, JALA remains the premier scientific journal in the field of laboratory automation because of the active participation of its knowledgeable authors, expert peer reviewers, and enthusiastic readers. As 2003 comes to a close, I offer thanks and appreciation to the many ALA members who contributed and continue to contribute to JALA's success.
Sincerely,
