In terms of laboratory classification, level four is the highest, where the most dangerous infectious domestic animal and human diseases are studied. These facilities provide countries with the ability to diagnose, manage and research infectious diseases safely, elevating humankind’s ability to improve health and sustain our way of life. Below, Les shares about his career in this exciting and ever-evolving field.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has called you THE global expert on high containment labs. What does that mean?
First, it’s quite rewarding to be called an expert by a client. I feel that compliment has been achieved by dedicating my career to designing high containment labs that are both functional and inspire great science.
To become experts, we have dedicated ourselves to learning. With each new client, our team distinguishes the mission, whether it’s diagnostics, research, vaccine development or testing, then applies best practices from our past projects from around the world and across other industries. For us, the mindset is evolution over innovation. There’s zero tolerance for failure in this type of facility; designs can only get better.