1. Please tell us about yourself. What brought you to your current position?

With over 36 years of laboratory experience, I have spent the majority of my career working with specialty analytical instruments, like HRGC-MS, GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS/MS, LC-HG-AFS, and qPCR. I’m an experienced independent consultant who partners with engineering firms, third-party laboratories, and accreditation bodies to help them operate better and comply with industry regulations, including ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, CGMPTNI NELAC, CA-ELAP, and DoD/DOE QSM programs.

I have a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of California at Davis. And I have held technical director, laboratory director, division manager, general manager, and president positions with contract labs. I’m a strategic leader who ties quality with people, efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

2. What is your favorite part of the work you’ve done in this field?

As a scientist, I am always looking for the best way to achieve reliable and defensible data of known quality. This presentation helps navigate related questions on when, what, and how to validate or verify an analytical procedure to achieve testing objectives effectively.

3. What is your talk about?

My talk covers three important topics:

  • What elements are required for a validation?
  • What elements are required for a verification?
  • How do I choose the analytical scheme best-suited for my product or sample type?

This session will equip you with new tools to discuss with your lab what type of deliverables you will need for your compliance or investigatory requirements.

4. Why do you think it’s important to discuss this topic with our audience?

Most product manufacturers and researchers are looking for customized analytical methods that work best for their products. There is a time when validation is needed and a time when verification is needed, but it could be challenging to decide when to apply what. The principles discussed in the talk are important in nearly all analytical testing scenarios and help you make informed decisions.

Michael Flournoy is a strategic leader who ties quality with people, efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Michael’s latest role was as an independent consultant and partnered with engineering firms, independent laboratories, and accreditation bodies to help them operate better and comply with industry regulations. Michael graduated from the University of California at Davis with a Bachelor’s in chemical engineering. He has over 36 years of laboratory experience and has spent the majority of his working experience with specialty analytical instrumentation like HRGC-MS, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS/MS, and LC-HG-AFS. Michael also loves working with people and believes in the age-old adage “Teamwork makes the dream work.”

Register today for free to attend Michael’s and other insightful webinars at the 2025 Outsource! Week.