05 December 2017

The Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS) is pleased to announce the appointment Dr Vincent Lal as the new Manager Laboratory Services. With his expertise in Environmental and Analytical Toxicology and passion in improving human health and wellbeing, Dr Lal will focus on improving the IAS laboratory services.  This includes adopting the latest developments in laboratory analysis, reviewing results turn-around time, and staff training and development.

Having recently returned from the University of Queensland upon the completion of his PhD on Human Health Risk Assessment, Dr Lal is not new to IAS.  He first joined IAS in 2007 as a Graduate Assistant where he completed his MSc in Monitoring for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Fiji’s environment under the guidance of the former IAS Director, Professor Bill Aalbersberg. Dr Lal was also a recipient of the 2017 Greg Urwin Award which enabled him to gain specialist skills from experts in the field of Environmental Toxicology and Health Sciences and contribute to building networks and further knowledge on issues related to cancer and human health risks affecting the Pacific region.

Dr Lal added that returning to IAS has come full circle for him, as this is where his interest and passion in the field of POPs began and he hopes to further IAS involvement and research in this field and others. In addition, he hopes to inspire a culture of continuous learning amongst the Laboratory staff members and support their quest to further develop their academic qualifications and aspirations.  Dr Johann Poinapen, Director IAS said that Dr Lal’s appointment is timely as he will be contributing to the POPs projects where IAS is the leading implementing organisation in the Pacific region while bringing new energy and ideas to the IAS Laboratory services.