The SLAS Nominating Committee is pleased to announce these three SLAS Board of Directors candidates for three-year terms beginning in January 2025.
Formal petitions challenging a candidate may be submitted until October 7, 2023. Questions, comments and petitions should be emailed directly to SLAS CEO, Vicki Loise.
As an enthusiastic proponent of exploring and implementing new technologies, I am excited to apply for a position on the SLAS Board of Directors. With over 25 years of experience advocating for automation adoption in the pharmaceutical industry, dedication to optimizing drug discovery processes and commitment to fostering a diverse and high-performing team, I am fully committed to advancing the mission of SLAS.
As an active SLAS member, I have had the privilege of engaging with colleagues in this community who have enlightened me about automation and engineering innovations and encouraged me to be bold, take risks and venture beyond my comfort zone. One of the most significant risks I undertook early in my career was leading a project to establish a first-generation automated compound storage and plate production facility at a major pharmaceutical company. This endeavor solidified my passion for exploring novel technologies and provided invaluable cross-functional leadership skills and strategic insight.
Outreach and education are crucial in enriching the laboratory automation and screening community. As a part of the SLAS Board of Directors, I will actively promote initiatives that foster knowledge exchange, mentorship and collaboration within our community. I am committed to providing an opportunity for professionals to share their expertise, discuss emerging trends and showcase innovative technologies.
I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute my skills, passion, and dedication to the SLAS Board of Directors, and I am fully committed to advancing SLAS's mission. With a focus on optimizing processes, fostering diversity and inclusion and creating meaningful networking opportunities, I will endorse initiatives that strengthen the laboratory automation and screening community and drive next-generation innovation in our field.
My tryst with the predecessor of SLAS began in 2002 as a volunteer organizer. When I started my career in high-throughput screening in 2012, building 3D tumor models for screening, SLAS became my go-to resource for everything I needed to know.
Over the years, my involvement with SLAS increased exponentially while being an ardent attendee. I was privileged to work closely with the conference organizers from day one. Their commitment to this organization continues to impress me and is one of the most important reasons I want to serve.
Over the past 11 years, SLAS has helped me to enable the 3D in vitro models community. I have presented, organized and taught at SLAS-sponsored workshops and courses, am the co-editor of the SLAS Discovery Special Issue for 3D models and am on the Program Committee.
The desire to pay it forward lays the foundation for what I would like to achieve for the organization, as described below, working with members of the Board:
I commit to bringing honesty, integrity, innovation and the ability to communicate effectively as a board member. It would be my privilege to serve on the SLAS Board of Directors.
Since joining SLAS in 2015, I have demonstrated deep commitment by taking on increasing responsibilities. I chaired the Knowledge Content & Delivery Council (KCDC) in 2023 and served on the Americas Scientific Program Committee (ASPC) since 2022. Additionally, I have been an organizing committee member and session chair for three Building Biology in 3D symposia and served as a guest editor for two Special Issues of SLAS Discovery.
As the former CEO of Nano3D Biosciences (technology acquired by Greiner Bio-One in 2018) and current Director of Global Business Development and Innovation at GBO, I bring a unique global perspective to the life sciences landscape. My entrepreneurial path has resulted in numerous patents/products and dozens of publications.
Before the acquisition, I held the position of an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Internal Medicine Department at the University of Texas Health Science Center and was a member of the Industry Advisory Board at the University of Houston's Department of Biomedical Engineering. My academic contributions, particularly in developing personalized medicine assays using magnetic 3D bioprinting, highlight my ability to bridge the gap between industry and academia, a crucial skill for leadership in the SLAS organization.
As a dual citizen of the USA and Brazil, I bring a valuable multicultural perspective, enhancing my ability to address SLAS's global community needs. My multidisciplinary expertise, business acumen, and international experience will guide SLAS's strategic direction, ensuring it continues serving its diverse community through innovative initiatives.
