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SoBran Team Delivers Five Educational Sessions At 34th NCAB / AALAS Seminar

Experts in Research Lab Operations Share Best Practices

FAIRFAX, Va., Sept. 11, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SoBran, Inc. proudly announces that its team of lab operations experts has been tapped to deliver five sessions at the National Capital Area Branch of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science's 34th Seminar "From Cageside to Bedside: Why We Do What We Do." On September 17 and 18, at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, MD., SoBran's team will address several of the industry's hottest topics, drawing on real-world experiences in establishing and managing world-class research lab operations.

 * Efficient Cagewash Operations in the Animal Facility: Javier
   Chavez, program manager and quality assurance specialist at the
   National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD.  This
   presentation will address the most common issues and concerns for
   cagewash operational management including training, equipment
   failure, maintenance and safety. Mr. Chavez has more than 15 years
   of experience in the field and is responsible for the training and
   oversight of over 100 research technicians and several NIH
   research facilities.
 * Where did those mice go?: Lawrence Faucette, an ASCP-certified
   senior histologist with more than 25 years of experience working
   in a variety of clinical surgical pathology, forensic pathology,
   and research pathology settings.  Mr. Faucette will present a
   seminar on technologies used in processing mouse tissues and types
   of data required to provide effective histology support in the
   animal research setting.
 * Rodent Genetics and Nomenclature: Diana Lancaster, senior trainer
   at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease at the
   C.W. Bill Young Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious
   Disease in Bethesda will assist in presenting a lecture on rodent
   genetics and nomenclature and their importance in providing
   quality animal husbandry and veterinary technical support. Ms.
   Lancaster has 10 years of experience working in the laboratory
   animal care field with the past two years focused on training.
 * Managing Generation Y: Debbie Yount, director of human resources,
   and Jeff Bollen, manager of resources for the Biomedical Services
   Division.  This presentation will focus on integrating the more
   than 76 million members of "Generation Y" into the workforce and
   key factors to keep in mind when managing Gen-Yers.
 * What's Your Diagnosis?: Alfonso Gozalo, DVM, MS, DACLAM will be
   presenting a case for the lecture series titled "What's Your
   Diagnosis?"  Dr. Gozalo is a facility veterinarian for SoBran Inc.
   He has 23 years of experience, 21 of those in laboratory animal
    medicine working predominantly with infectious disease research.
 * QA/QC of an Animal Biosafety Level (ABSL) 3 suite: Sarah Rovezzi,
   BS, LATG, a biosafety assurance specialist, will be discussing
   practices and tips for efficiently performing effective QA/QC of
   an ABSL3 suite, as part of the seminar's biocontainment block.  Ms.
   Rovezzi has more than 10 years experience, with the last three
   years specific to lab animal management at ABSL2/3 to include
   participation in the commissioning and ramp up of facilities.
 * Animal BioSafety Level 3 Workshop: James Magrath LATG, a SoBran
   deputy program manager, will be conducting an ABSL3 workshop
   consisting of both classroom and hands-on demonstrations in a mock
   ABSL3 suite, focusing on the ABSL environment and safety
   requirements.  Mr. Magrath will also be presenting a personal
   protective equipment (PPE) fashion show as an innovative approach
   to discuss the variety of PPE and materials used in ABSL1-4
   applications.

SoBran's offerings include facility operation and management, vivarium services, AALAS certification training, and advanced safety program design. The company provides state-of-the-art veterinary and husbandry support for major research institutions, including the National Institute of Health (NIH), and functions within the strictest environments, environmental regulations, and training requirements. The company will also have a corporate booth at the seminar for further educational and networking opportunities.

"The NCAB is an excellent opportunity for the region's laboratory animal science professionals to meet and exchange ideas. We all have much to learn and SoBran is gratified to be involved in such a substantive fashion," said Melissa Williams a senior company executive and Program Chair for the 2008 seminar. SoBran's Program Co-Chair, Stephanie Strahan, was instrumental in putting together this year's NCAB program.

About SoBran, Inc.

SoBran is a rapidly growing technical and professional services company, serving government and industry since 1987. We partner with customers to solve problems affecting critical missions in biomedical research, biotechnology, preclinical research, defense, homeland security, environmental protection, and national energy policy. ISO 9001:2000 certified, SoBran brings process orientation and rigorous quality standards to all our projects. We offer services through the GSA IT, PES and LOGWORLD schedules and several GWAC contract vehicles. Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, SoBran has major offices in Fairfax, VA, Burtonsville, MD, and Jacksonville, FL, with additional field offices providing direct support for federal and commercial clients.

For more information, including opportunities to join the SoBran team, please visit the career section at www.sobran-inc.com.

CONTACT:  SoBran
          Nikki Dull
          (301) 476-9077
          ndull@sobran-inc.com

          Corporate Ink 
          SoBran Media Contact
          Michael McDonough 
          (617) 969-9192
          mmcdonough@corporateink.com