In continuation of IR-4’s 60th year celebration, we are highlighting some of IR-4’s extraordinary team members. Today, meet Jane Forder—Lead Quality Assurance Auditor for IR-4’s Northeast and North Central Regions. Jane was kind enough to take the time to share a glimpse into her pivotal role on IR-4’s Quality Assurance (QA) team. Get to know Jane and her work below.
If there was a title for IR-4’s most frequent flier, Jane Forder would no doubt earn the superlative. As Lead Quality Assurance Auditor for IR-4’s Northeast and North Central Regions, Jane frequently hops from research site to research site—by car and by plane—auditing field trials and guiding researchers on successful implementation of Good Laboratory Practices.
At the National Education Conference in February of 2023, Jane was presented the Meritorious Service Award from IR-4’s Northeast Region in recognition of the extra miles she travels, literally and figuratively, on behalf of IR-4’s mission. Marylee Ross—Regional Field Coordinator for the Northeast Region—presented the honor, and gave enthusiastic remarks on Jane’s work:
“Jane Forder has helped us in the Northeast earn bragging rights for exemplary Good Laboratory Practices compliance and training. She has also taken care of Quality Assurance requirements in the North Central Region as well as at Headquarters. She even steps up to the plate to conduct audits in the Southern Region when the need arises. She never complains about being sent all over the country or about having to adjust her schedule to accommodate the ever-changing and quirky schedules in the field. We love our QA officer!”
From the Tox Lab to QA
A skilled background in lab research led Jane to her career at IR-4, where she has devoted over two decades of service. Jane earned her bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University (the former headquarters of IR-4), where she studied economics and biology. After graduation, Jane was hired by a contract lab as a report writer. A few years later, she was offered a more hands-on position as a lab technician in a reproductive toxicology lab for Exxon Biomedical Sciences. Jane recalls this as one of her most fun and fascinating positions. Eventually, she transitioned into a quality assurance auditor role with Exxon—a niche that opened doors and led her to IR-4.
Forder’s IR-4 Career
Jane began her IR-4 career auditing reports and data books remotely while based at Rutgers University (home of IR-4 Headquarters at the time). In 2016, she took on additional responsibilities when she began traveling for part of the year to perform field audits for IR-4’s Northeast Region. Of the transition Jane reflected, “I loved the people at Rutgers, but I jumped at the chance to be able to do the field audits…initially, I was just in the Northeast region from Maryland to Maine. And then, after [IR-4 Headquarters] moved to North Carolina, Jerry [Baron] asked if I would do the North Central as well.”
As a Lead Quality Assurance Auditor, Jane helps train field researchers on Good Lab Practices (GLP)—federally-mandated guidelines for research put in place by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). She helps ensure that GLP guidelines are being followed in the field through audits that she conducts across the Northeast and North Central Regions. IR-4’s GLP compliance, under the guidance of Quality Assurance Unit team members like Jane, ensures that data is accurate, replicable and defendable.
Jane enjoys that her current role offers a variety of learning experiences and environments, as well as the chance to interact with IR-4’s researchers at land-grant university field research sites across the two regions under her purview. “They’re great people,” said Jane. “ I just really enjoy working with the field researchers…I’m itching to get out into the field.”
A Day in the Field
Jane’s typical day in the field involves an early morning wakeup before traveling to her designated field site. Upon arrival, Jane meets the researchers she will be working with, and then observes applications or harvests for the researchers’ targeted field trials. This work requires careful listening, keen observation, a helpful attitude, and being diligently detail-oriented to ensure applications or harvests are following IR-4 protocols and meeting GLP guidelines.
While observing, Jane notes details such as application method, calibration, sample containers, buffer areas and sample storage, helping to ensure compliance along the way. Just as it is for growers, the weather is a major player in Jane’s daily plans, often forcing her to shift her schedule in order to get to the field at the optimal time for applications. It demands flexibility, organization, and lots of changes made to best-laid plans. Following applications, Jane leaves the field site and writes her own report on what she has observed. When Jane isn’t in the field, she’s auditing reports and books—especially in the winter months.
“I want to make sure that the data and reports are as clear as could be. When we submit our reports to the EPA, we want to make sure that the data is credible and that what happened can be recreated…and so that these lower-risk pesticides get approved for use by the growers from the EPA,” explained Jane.
Life Beyond the Field
Anyone who knows Jane can attest to her personable, funny and energetic nature. Her personality provides a helpful balance in her line of work; being audited can be an intimidating prospect for researchers—especially those who are just learning the ropes. Part of what makes Jane so valuable to the IR-4 team—in addition to her skill and expertise—is her ability to put others at ease. Jane and the rest of the Quality Assurance team hope that fostering a positive relationship between auditors and researchers will keep the lines of communication open, inviting questions and catching mistakes before they become costly to correct. The Quality Assurance team prioritizes being present for new researchers’ first applications—not to police mistakes, but to provide support and training.
Jane’s passion for connecting with people and being out in the field shines through every layer of life. In her free time, Jane loves spending time in nature, hiking, gardening and traveling. She fell in love with Puerto Rico while on field audits there and it is now a favorite vacation spot. Jane also enjoys trying foods from different cultures, gardening (for herself and with friends), and visiting her two adult children whenever she gets the chance.
60 Years of IR-4
To close our conversation, we asked Jane what IR-4’s 60th-year milestone means to her: “It means that we have staying power—we get registrations for specialty crops for farmers, so there’s clearly value in what we do and other folks see it too.” She added, “It is an absolute pleasure to work with such dedicated RFC’s, FRD’s and fellow QAers. They are a joy to work with and are one of the main reasons IR-4 is so successful.”
IR-4 applauds the Quality Assurance Unit and team members like Jane; it’s the people of IR-4 who ensure our staying power by continuing to hold our work to the highest standards and provide outstanding value to our stakeholders.