Merck Holds Joint Seminar with KOFWST to Address Safe Management of Research Labs

News Release

Seoul - Korea, June 9, 2021 – Merck will hold a collaborative seminar with the Korea Federation of Women’s Science and Technology Associations (KOFWST) about ways to ensure a safe and healthy laboratory environment for pregnant scientists. The seminar will be live-streamed on the KOFWST YouTube channel, 3 pm, June 11, 2020.

“Merck is committed to supporting KOFWST in creating safe lab environments,” said Ji-Young Chung, head of Sales, Research Solutions, Merck Life Science, Korea. “We hope that this seminar, tailored for scientists who are expecting, will raise the importance of the precautions necessary for handling chemicals in the lab during pregnancy.”

The speakers include numerous experts on the topic:

• Jeong-Yeol Han, professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ilsan Beak Hospital
• Youngmi Kim, professor of Medicine, Kyunghee University
• Tayoung Koo, professor of Pharmacy, Kyunghee University
• Hyunkyung Kim, professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Korea University
• Jiyoung Chung, head of Sales at Research and Applied Solutions, Merck Life Science Korea
• JoonHyung Park, head of Commercial Marketing at Research and Applied Solutions, Merck Life Science Korea

“KOFWST has published a guidebook called Safe Lab Life for the Scientists Who are Expecting a Baby, in March 2021 to provide educational information on chemicals used in lab that pregnant scientists should be mindful of,” said Heesun Chung, chairman of KOFWST. “This is a timely seminar to promote this important topic of building a safer, conducive, and healthy lab environment for our researchers.”

In October 2020, Research and Applied Solutions of Merck Life Science Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with KOFWST to address strengthening the topic of safety in the field of science and technology. In the inaugural partnership, Merck contributed 300 custom-made lab coats for pregnant researchers to KOFWST.