Smithers Viscient expands North American operations

Smithers Viscient, a global contract research organization (CRO), has announced the expansion of North American operations in two locations. In Massachusetts, an 11,500 sq. ft. footprint expansion is underway at the Wareham laboratory site, and operations have been established in the San Joaquin valley in Fresno, California. These expansions enable Smithers Viscient to meet increasing customer demand for environmental testing by offering services at a higher volume and in additional geographies.

The Smithers Viscient Wareham, Massachusetts laboratory expansion, scheduled for completion in 2015 with further renovations forthcoming, will enable enhancement of existing operations by increasing capacity of Environmental Fate and Ecotoxicology services. The company has hired new department directors to support the growth of these services. Dr. Monica Metea has joined as Director of Environmental Fate and Metabolism and she brings expertise in departmental management, scientific and regulatory consultation, study direction, client relations, and GLP compliance. Ms. Heather Grove has joined as Director of Ecotoxicology and she brings expertise in departmental management, process improvement, quality, client relations, site logistics, and plant operations.

The Smithers Viscient Fresno, California facility will allow further expansion of field trials for higher-tiered pollinator services and residue trials. Smithers Viscient currently supports field trials across the United States and Canada and this facility will provide both capacity and convenience to clients. To lead this effort, Mr. Robert Parkes has joined Smithers Viscient as Senior Study Director at the California location, where he will supervise the research activities of a team of biologists and technicians. Mr. Parkes has nearly 20 years of experience in California’s Central Valley and west coast agriculture with extensive experience in higher-tiered pollinator services. He will lead efforts to further develop methods and techniques to more efficiently and effectively collect residue samples of pollinator matrices.

“As Smithers Viscient continues to grow our company footprint, staff, and service portfolio, Heather, Monica, and Robert bring many decades of scientific expertise and leadership to our laboratories, and they will be important contributors in helping our clients achieve success,” stated Dr. Darren Warren, Vice President of North American Operations.