From the President
T. Arthur Chang, Ph.D., HCLD/ELD/CC(ABB)

Dear CRB Members,

Year 2020 has been unprecedented and probably one of the most challenging times for many of us, both personally and professionally. The COVID-19 pandemic and its global impact have generated dramatic changes to our work as well as daily life. Confronted with such a unique crisis, we laboratory scientists and technologists are resilient people as we always have been. Our CRB members have continued to provide top quality patient services since clinics re-opened, and many developed innovative ways to communicate and collaborate with colleagues during lockdowns and travel restrictions. I am confident that our professional community will stay strong during these uncertain times. I also want to emphasize that CRB relies on your participation and feedback as the keys to the association’s success. Please feel free to send over questions, comments, and suggestions to the leadership and committee chairs.

This year Dara Berger and the Meeting Committee have assembled a fantastic syllabus for the upcoming 2021 CRB Symposium, with invited experts in technology, management, and ethics. While the pandemic will remain a deciding factor on meeting platform, AAB and CRB will ensure the top educational experience be delivered through on-site and/or virtual settings. Stay tuned for updates on the conference!

In this issue of the CRB Newsletter, Melanie Clemmer and the Credentialing and Membership Committee summarized the COVID survey outcomes from our ART laboratory professionals community. Eva Schenkman and the Legislative Committee discussed the current status of relevant legislation throughout the nation. Salustiano Ribeiro and the Publications Committee recruited three excellent articles including: reflection on IVF practice in the time of pandemic, how to develop a comprehensive training program in the laboratory, and how artificial intelligence will shape the practice of ART. We would like to encourage CRB members to submit manuscripts, commentaries, content ideas and suggestions for future newsletters.

Click on individual committees for updates from the chairmen.

• Credentialing and Membership Committee - Melanie Clemmer, Ph.D., HCLD(ABB)
• Legislative Committee - Eva Schenkman, M.Sc., TS(ABB), CLT(NYS)
• Meeting Committee - Dara S. Berger, Ph.D., HCLD/TS(ABB)
• Publications Committee - Salu Ribeiro, MS, TS(ABB), ELS/ALS(AAB)

On behalf of CRB Board and Committees, I wish everyone a great holiday season. Stay safe and healthy! Once the pandemic calms down, we shall meet in person soon at future CRB Symposia.

T. Arthur Chang, PhD, HCLD/ELD/CC(ABB)
CRB President