Frances Weis-Garcia, Ph.D.
President-Elect, Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities
Head, Bi-Instiutional Antibody and Bioresource Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and The Rockefeller University
Title: Know Thy ABRF: Facilitating Discoveries Through Core and Research Biotechnology Laboratories

Frances Weis-Garcia is the president-elect for the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF) and the director of the Bi-Instiutional Antibody and Bioresource Core Facility which support researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and The Rockefeller University. She received her Masters from the University of Massachusetts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, PhD from Weill Cornell Graduate School of Biomedical Science, in the laboratory of Joan Massague and conducted her post-doctoral work at The Rockefeller University in the laboratory of Michel Nussenzweig. The core facility she heads focuses primarily on the development of custom monoclonal antibodies, but also produces monoclonal antibodies in vitro, purifies and modifies them. Recently, the facility has been charged with distributing cell lines developed at the two institutions. As a member of the ABRF executive board, she ensures association serves the greater non-profit biotechnology community, central of which are core facilities. These efforts include, but are not limited to: facilitating research studies which evaluate the reproducibility of techniques/workflows, establish standards and best practices across cores; promoting networking opportunities; providing career development venues; organizing educational venues; working with regional chapters; and supporting FASEB's efforts as an active member society.