Vivian Lu Tan, PhD

Program Co-Chair

Vivian Lu Tan, PhD, has a career spanning over 15 years, encompassing diverse roles in scientific research, project management and consultancy across academia and industry in the UK, Switzerland and Austria. 
Currently, Tan is the managing director of Vienna Biocenter Core Facilities (VBCF), where she oversees the delivery of cutting-edge scientific services that support the pioneering research conducted at the Vienna Biocenter, home to over 3,000 staff and scientists. The VBCF provides a diverse range of services, including next-generation sequencing, protein technologies, proteomics, metabolomics, advanced microscopy, plant sciences, animal research and Europe’s largest Drosophila resource center. Tan ensures these services empower researchers to achieve impactful scientific discoveries.

Before joining VBCF, Tan was a principal scientist and lab head at Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co. KG, where she led developments of computational methods and high-performance digital solutions for drug discovery. Her work focused on integrating molecular biology, medicinal chemistry and data science to streamline research processes, enable large-scale data analysis and foster innovation in the pharmaceutical industry.

Tan holds a PhD in molecular biomedicine from the University of Bonn and an MPhil in bioscience enterprise from the University of Cambridge. Her academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to combining scientific excellence with operational efficiency. She is particularly passionate about process optimization, lab automation and the seamless integration of technology to accelerate innovation and discovery.