This month’s presentation will be by Mr. Dave Shumway, P.E., Principal/Sr. Mechanical Engineer of AMC Engineers, Inc. on the BSL-3 Virology Laboratory located in Fairbanks, Alaska.

A new $32 million state virology laboratory in Fairbanks is helping health officials track disease in Alaska.  Herpes, HIV, rabies and most recently, swine flu, are among diseases scientists at the lab at the University of Alaska Fairbanks have helped identify.  The lab is the most modern in Alaska, said manager Terry Schmidt.  At 29,000 square feet, the lab is about twice the size of the old laboratory.  Automated molecular extractors, worth $65,000 each, rip apart viruses and isolate genetic material.

A new necropsy room has a ventilation system so scientists no longer have to tolerate the stench of a decomposing dog head.  A complex air handling system, capable of filtering out bacteria and viruses, occupies the building's entire top floor. 

The lab also has a special room where all who enter must have FBI clearance.  The room lets scientists study diseases such as smallpox, labeled by the World Health Organization as one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity.  Smallpox was eradicated in the late 1970s, but samples were kept and it emerged as a bioterrorism concern in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks.  "The fire department can't even get in here," Schmidt said of the secured room.

Social Time: 5:30pm
Dinner/Meeting: 6:00pm
Presentation: 7:00pm
Location: Westmark Hotel - Dowtown, Anchorage

Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at noon.  If you RSVP your cost will be $25.00.  If you do not, your cost will be $30.00 at the door.  If you RSVP, and do not show up, you will be charged $25.00.  We have to cover cost and RSVP’s are very important. If you RSVP for this event, and find that you cannot attend, please let Ruth know as soon as possible and we will try to work with you.

Please RSVP to Ruth Armstrong, Vice President – Programs.