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U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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  5. Office of the Chief Scientist
  6. Office of Science and Laboratory Advancement
  1. Office of the Chief Scientist

Office of Science and Laboratory Advancement Also referred to as: OSLA

Vision 

Advance regulatory laboratory science through collaboration, application of quality principles and innovative data solutions while supporting a framework of operational risk management.  

Mission 

OSLA’s mission is to provide excellence in regulatory laboratory science by maintaining quality, safe operations, as well as designing data-driven solutions, enabling scientific dialogue, and creating intra-agency connectivity that promotes synergistic agency impact. 

Functions 

  • Identifies and advises the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) on applied research priorities for OCS regulatory testing and specialty labs that align with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) risk-informed analytical needs, in collaboration with FDA Centers and Offices, including the Human Foods Program.  
  • Coordinates with the Office of Analytical Regulatory Laboratories (OARL), Office of Specialty Labs and Enforcement Support (OSLES), and FDA Centers and Offices, including the Human Foods Program, on laboratory science activities to facilitate a cohesive approach to public health protection by cultivating scientific connectivity and fostering analytical cross-collaboration for synergistic FDA-wide operational efficiency.  
  • Convenes and leads scientific meetings and collaborative forums for OCS labs to foster unity and crosstalk.  
  • Establishes and manages a safety program for FDA’s inspections and investigations program and regulatory testing laboratory operations.  
  • Designs data solutions to extract key information from voluminous laboratory data to assist decision-making. 
  • Reviews scientific publications related to OARL and OSLES activities prior to submission.  
  • Conducts technical reviews of scientific equipment requests from regulatory testing laboratories to advise on strategic funding prioritization. 

Resources 



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