HFL Sport Science has announced that Professor Richard Sams, Ph.D., has been named as the inaugural director of its new laboratory facilities in Lexington, Kentucky
. HFL had previously been selected by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to perform drug testing and analysis from February 2011 at the new facility.
Professor Sams is currently the program director for the Florida Racing Laboratory of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida.
Professor Sams is a leader in the field of equine drug testing that brings over 30 years experience in developing and validating new testing methods as well as studying pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs and other substances in racehorses and other animals. He has held his current position at the University of Florida since 2006. Prior to 2006, he was professor and director of the Analytical Toxicology Laboratory of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the Ohio State University, a position he had held since 1978.
“We are truly delighted that HFL has been able to secure such an experienced and well-respected laboratory director," said KHRC Executive Director Lisa Underwood. "He will do an excellent job of driving the drug testing program for Kentucky. We are excited to continue our relationship with Professor Sams. We also hope he will be interested in pursuing research projects as part of his equine program. ”
“Professor Sams is an outstanding addition to the HFL team, and the best possible candidate to lead HFL’s new laboratory in the United States," said HFL Sport Science CEO Dr. David Hall. "HFL looks forward to building upon Professor Sams’ excellent reputation and offering state-of-the-art services to the racing community in the United States.”