The SLAS 2026 Sample Management Symposium will feature five sessions dedicated to current trends and new developments shaping sample management. Each session will feature presentations from experts at the forefront of sample management.
Session Topics
The Intelligent Lab: AI and Automation Driving Next-Generation Sample Management
Session Chair: Andrew Napper, Executive Director, Head of Automation and Analytical Technologies (BMS)
- AI/ML models and applications—smart ordering, dynamic inventory control, predictive compound QC
- AI applications within sample management
- Integration of automation and AI to shorten the research and regulatory cycle
Building a Sample Management Ecosystem for Multiple Modalities
Session Chair: Brenda Li-Johnson, Associate Director UP Discovery Sample Management (GSK)
- Integration across modalities (SM, biotherapeutics, proteins, cell lines, oligos)
- Data capture, transfer, and harmonization across systems
- Strategies for managing and leveraging data to accelerate discovery
Infrastructure and Informatics: The Modern Backbone of Discovery
Session Chair: James Craven, Chief Commercial Officer (Simplicis)
- Informatics architecture for small molecule and biologics programs
- Inventory management, ordering systems, and instrument interfaces
- Database design for scalability and interoperability
- IT when you don't have IT internally—small biotech, not just large pharma
Lessons from Beyond Traditional Sample Management
Session Chair: Thomas Frech, MS
- Borrowing best practices from other sectors—redundancy, predictive maintenance, digital twins, supply chain optimization
- Translating continuous improvement and lean principles to R&D sample management
- GxP, diagnostics, development, forensics, agriculture, manufacturing, etc.
Resilience by Design: Future Proofing Sample Management Operations
Session Chair: Gustavo de Oliviera, Biorepository Site Manager (Azenta Life Sciences)
- Building redundancies into critical systems
- Planning for failure and maintaining operational continuity
- Governance and audit strategies for data and process assurance
- Tackling operational challenges, contingency planning and risk mitigation
- Sample management planning during the new facilities design phase
