Applied Liquid Handling Boot Camp - SOLD OUT!

May 29-30, 2025

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

Course Overview

Our inaugural course is sold out! Stay tuned for more information on how to get involved in future courses.

Are you someone who wants to hit the ground running with your first job in a laboratory? Or a company seeking to enhance the skills of your liquid handling specialists?

Enroll in our Applied Liquid Handling Boot Camp to learn from industry-focused instructors about operating liquid handling automation equipment, the drug discovery processes and developments. Take advantage of this ONE-TIME opportunity to participate in this limited-enrollment beta test of the program for only $150.

If you are currently enrolled at Carnegie Mellon University in an undergraduate or graduate degree program, please contact SLAS Interim-Scientific Director Emily Yamasaki, Ph.D. (eyamasaki@slas.org) directly for registration.

Course Highlights

When: NEW DATE AND LOCATION! May 29-30, 2025
Where: Carnegie Mellon University, Gates Hillman Complex, 4902 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Cost: $150

What this course will provide:

An increased understanding of automation in laboratory sciences with a specific focus on developing skills needed to run liquid handling automation equipment in an academic, biotech and/or industry setting.
- Exposure to a variety of actively used liquid handling automation equipment in functional automation laboratories
- Participation in hands-on training experiments aimed at understanding the fundamentals of liquid handling chemistry
Education and awareness of the drug development and discovery process.
- Understanding the different stages of drug development
  - Pre-clinical development
  - High-throughput screening and hit-to-lead validation
  - Clinical development
  - Investigational New Drug (IND) filing
- How and why automation and liquid handling biology are essential to the process
Career selection and preparation for a successful transition into liquid handling automation.
- Exposure to the required skills outside of the laboratory for a successful transition into this sector
  - Data analysis skills
  - Excellent communication
  - Time management
  - Troubleshooting processes

Completion of this course will grant participants the ability to:

Evaluate the potential benefits of automation
Utilize the best automation approach for a successful implementation plan
Monitor and improve the automation setup
Determine the best application of machine learning for an experimental procedure
Determine the appropriate hardware for their experimentation processes
Identify the potential strengths and weaknesses of a proposed automation solution

Hear more about the course from former SLAS Scientific Director, Lesley Granberg, Ph.D., on a special episode of the New Matter podcast.

Listen Now

For Students and Career Seekers

Enter into a rewarding professional career by acquiring the necessary skills in liquid handling to accelerate the scientific discovery process.

This course is designed for:

Individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree in a science-related field
Anyone looking to upskill to a full-time lab position
Graduate students and post-docs looking to explore a hands-on career in lab automation and drug discovery

This comprehensive course will prepare you for an entry-level position in the growing lab automation and liquid handling field. The course allows for hands-on training on a variety of lab equipment, as well as gold-standard classroom instruction and significant peer group interaction.

Pre-program and post-program knowledge assessments
An introductory self-paced online learning program before the in-person event
A two-day in-person program (approximately one-day classroom with interactive learning modules and one day in an actual lab)
A glossary of terms, quizzes, interactive exercises and resource materials
Wrap-up online learning program
Select office hours with members of our expert faculty for clarification and follow-up
Certificate of completion

For Companies and Research Institutions

This program is a perfect opportunity to upskill your organization's newly hired or incumbent workers.

This course is ideal for:

Those who have graduated with a science-related undergraduate degree or are in their first lab position
Those looking to excel as an Automated Liquid Handling Specialist or Technician position in a lab
Graduate students and post-docs looking to explore a hands-on career in lab automation and drug discovery

This comprehensive course will prepare participants for an entry-level position in the growing lab automation and liquid handling field. The course allows for hands-on training on a variety of lab equipment, as well as gold-standard classroom instruction and significant peer group interaction.

Pre- and post- knowledge assessments
Self-paced e-learning (online module)
Two-day in-person program (one-day classroom with interactive learning modules; one day in lab)
Includes quizzes, interactive activities and downloadable resources
Glossary of terms and visual glossary with examples of equipment and instruments
Final self-paced e-learning module highlighting critical elements of the program
Certificate of completion

Hotel, Travel and Parking

Hotel Information
Carnegie Mellon University has a special, discounted rate for Liquid Handling Bootcamp attendees at:

Courtyard Pittsburgh University Center
100 Lytton Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Discounted Rate: $169.00 (+ taxes)

Reservations must be booked by May 9, 2025, for discounted rates.
Discounted rates apply to hotel nights reserved from May 28 – 30, 2025.
Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Make A Reservation

Additional Hotel Options
Carnegie Mellon University has also compiled a selection of additional nearby hotels as a convenient way for visitors to find accommodations. Some hotels included in this list offer a discounted rate to CMU visitors. Rates may vary.

View Local Hotel Options

Airport and Ground Transportation
From Carnegie Mellon’s website:
Pittsburgh International Airport is serviced by 14 airlines and offers nonstop service to more than 50 U.S. cities. You can then rent a car or use one of the available bus or car service options to get to campus or your hotel. The airport is an approximate 45-minute drive to campus.

Tip: Pittsburgh has many tunnels, bridges and construction that may slow travel to and from the airport. If you are visiting campus in the morning, you are encouraged to fly to Pittsburgh the day before your visit.

Parking
East Campus Garage
5040 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
East Campus Garage is the most conveniently located campus parking option for course attendees.

View Current Parking Rates

If you are taking a rideshare or taxi, the drop-off is at Gates Hillman Complex, 4902 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.