Meet the Mentors

Area of Focus: Automation, Drug Discovery, Compound/Drug Screening, Assay Development, Cell-based Models, High-content Imaging

Joshua Bauer is the Director of the Vanderbilt High-throughput Screening (VHTS) facility and Director of Functional Genomics Screening and High-content Imaging within the Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology. He has a broad background in pharmacology, cancer biology and biochemistry, with specific experience in oncology-related functional genomics screening (FGS), high-content screening (HCS), and chemical/drug library screening. Joshua currently leads the HTS team to facilitate the development of biological assays and screens to enable the discovery of chemical and genetic modulators of a variety of molecular targets and pathways in cell biology for therapeutic implications.

His research interests are focused on bioinformatics and chemical genomic approaches, including FGS and HCI, to identify novel drug targets and to better understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms that underlie how cells and patient-derived samples (eg, organoids) respond to therapeutics. A main goal of his is to identify novel strategies to overcome therapy resistance or new indications that will have clinical application.

Areas of Focus: Resilient Labs, Resilient Innovation & Commercial Engines for vendors and integrators

Thomas Frech is an independent Lab Innovation Advisor & Coach with more than 20 years of experience in laboratory automation, orchestration, digital transformation, sample management and laboratory operations. He is passionate about enabling laboratory teams to continuously improve by building the skills, processes and organizational capabilities needed to sustain innovation.

Having assessed hundreds of laboratories across North America, Europe, and APAC Thomas helps laboratories and vendors develop practical strategies that improve performance while avoiding unnecessary complexity and vendor lock-in. He has delivered transformation programs resulting in significant efficiency gains, cost reductions and business growth and has mentored and influenced hundreds of professionals throughout his career.

Thomas has been an active member of European laboratory automation communities, the SLAS community since 2013, and the SiLA community since 2011, serving in various roles including board member, session chair, auditor, speaker and award judge.

Area of Focus: DNA Platform, Automation, Genomics

Mayukh Guha is a high-throughput biologist with over a decade of experience advancing HTP genomics, DNA assembly and protein engineering. He earned his PhD in Cellular Biology from the University of Georgia and did a postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University School of Medicine, focusing on molecular mechanisms underlying cellular cytoskeleton.

Before joining Lila Sciences, he held scientific roles at Zymergen and Metagenomi, where he developed automated workflows and high-throughput screening systems that accelerated protein engineering, microbial strain engineering and HTP DNA assembly and sequencing. At Lila, he leads initiatives integrating AI-guided DNA design with automated assembly platforms to enhance the speed and scalability of science research.

An active contributor to the SLAS community, Guha has served as a mentor, travel award judge and peer reviewer for SLAS journals. He is passionate about guiding early-career researchers and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration at the interface of biology, automation and data science.

Area of Focus: Automation

Kalpesh Gupta, PhD, is an experienced biotech engineer with proven expertise in both wet lab and automation. Gupta has extensive experience in analytical assay development for biologics and downstream automated protein process development, along with experience in automating complex workflows for analytical/upstream and downstream processes and implementing integrated barcoding/LIMS workflows for seamless integration of automation systems to data analytics/LIMS systems. He is also an expert in programming, troubleshooting and modifying current systems within the Hamilton liquid handler.

Kalpesh leads high-performing teams spanning scientific and engineering disciplines such as laboratory automation, process engineering, technical operations and high-throughput delivery and boasts more than 14 years of experience working in the biotechnology industry ranging from large organizations to small startups. He is passionate about leadership, organizational management frameworks and coaching the next generation of engineers and scientists to achieve their dreams.

Area of Focus: Laboratory Automation, Robotics, AI-Driven and Autonomous Laboratories, Laboratory Informatics, and Life Sciences Digital Transformation

Sura Hadi is the Director of Laboratory Automation, Informatics and Robotics at E Tech Group, where she leads initiatives integrating laboratory automation, robotics, informatics and digital technologies across the life sciences industry.

Her career spans laboratory science, engineering, automation and technical leadership, with experience translating complex scientific workflows into scalable, integrated solutions. Her work focuses on bridging laboratory operations with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and autonomous laboratory systems, while addressing the practical challenges of implementation, integration, and regulatory compliance.

Throughout her career, Sura has built technical capabilities, led multidisciplinary engineering teams, and supported organizations navigating the intersection of science and technology. She is also an inventor on two issued patents and co-founder and co-host of Helical Brew, a podcast featuring conversations with leaders advancing laboratory science, automation, and innovation.

As a mentor, Sura is passionate about helping emerging professionals navigate interdisciplinary careers, develop leadership skills, and identify opportunities at the intersection of science, engineering, and technology.

Area of Focus: Liquid Biopsy and Automation

Nafiseh Jafari, PhD, is the Chief Science Officer at nRichDX. Nafiseh joined nRichDX in January 2020 and has over 10 years' experience in life science research. She is a scientific leader with a passion for building and managing high-performance teams. Nafiseh has managed multimillion dollar development projects leading to the successful creation and launch of multiple products. Her expertise in talent management and quality/design control systems make her a key member of the nRichDX team.

Immediately prior to joining nRichDX, Nafiseh was a Project Manager leading cross functional teams at Abbott Diagnostics. She holds a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Sharif University of Technology and earned her PhD degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Western Michigan University.

Area of Focus: Automation

Shastine Keeney has been working in automation for 25 years. She began in industrial automation, working in the semi-conductor and fiber optic cable manufacturing spaces. In 2004, she stumbled into biotech and quickly landed at Genentech working with the automation of fermenters and purification systems in the pilot plants. However, because she missed working on equipment that had moving parts, she searched Genentech's internal job postings for the word "robot" which is how she discovered laboratory automation and has never looked back. These days she runs her own very successful one-woman consulting firm, working with clients small and large and in all facets of biopharma from synthetic biology and diagnostics to early and late-stage drug discovery and beyond.

When she's not working, Shastine likes to dance as well as spend time with her two grandchildren and her several cats. She loves mentoring because she loves to help people understand their worth and get perspective on career growth by focusing on what they've already accomplished and how they can feel empowered to move their career in new directions. She is especially attuned to ways that both explicit and implicit bias can impact folks in the workplace and feels that it is an important part of the discussion about career growth.

Area of Focus: Life Sciences, Automation, Biomedical Engineering, Education

Ross Lagoy works at the intersection of life sciences, engineering and project management, with experience spanning academia, industry and higher education. He has invented and developed microfluidic platforms, genetic models of neurological disease and automated lab systems, and has led initiatives in high-throughput nanoparticle discovery for genome-editing medicines, sequencing and multiomics, and high-performance computing.

Ross currently manages research computing and platform technology projects at Harvard Medical School and is an Adjunct Professor at WPI, where he developed and teaches a graduate course on lab automation that combines theory and fundamentals with simulations, applied hands-on activities, and discussions of ethics. He enjoys mentoring students and others exploring STEM careers, research, and leadership.

Area of Focus: Drug Discovery, Mass Spectrometry

Chang Liu, PhD, currently leads the hardware research work on the MS sample preparation and sample introduction technologies at SCIEX (Ontario, Canada). His team invented the Acoustic Ejection Mass Spectrometry (AEMS) technology and developed its applications in high-throughput drug discovery.

Chang earned his BSc in Chemistry from Peking University, China, and his PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the University of British Columbia, Canada. He is the recipient of the 2021 Bioanalysis Outstanding Contribution Award (BOSCA), and 2022 Young Investigator Award from the Chinese American Society for Mass Spectrometry (CASMS).

He has published more than 50 research papers and held 20 patents issued. He is the editor of the book “High-Throughput Mass Spectrometry in Drug Discovery” (Wiley 2023).

Area of Focus: Life Science R&D Software

Scott Rehlander is an experienced software developer, automation engineer and product manager with over a decade of experience in the areas of laboratory informatics and robotic automation. His focus is on developing and managing comprehensive client solutions and building meaningful, long-term relationships with multi-faceted project teams. Scott’s background includes software engineering for scalable, distributed integrated systems, deployment and integration of large robotic systems, enterprise software integrations, and sales and marketing in the early-stage R&D biotech industry.

In addition to being a laboratory automation and informatics specialist, Scott is a proud father of young twins and in his spare time likes to learn new technologies, build web pages and develop mobile apps. He is also active member of the New England and Philadelphia chapters of the Laboratory Robotics Interest Group and spends as much time as he can facilitating the use of innovative technologies in my local community.

Area of Focus: Automation, Robotics, Machine Vision, Control Systems

Hritwik Shukla is an automation engineer with nearly eight years of industry experience spanning hardware control systems, software infrastructure and computer vision. At Persist Al, he builds and maintains production automation across multiple laboratory platforms for formulation development – from integrating PLCs over OPC-UA and developing web-based HMls for instruments to deploying a multi-camera system that records experimental runs across the lab. He also develops vision-guided robotic systems for lab workflows. Hritwik holds an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina State University. As a mentor, he is glad to share practical guidance on bridging hardware and software, taking automation from prototype to reliable production, and building a career at the intersection of robotics, controls and lab science.

Area of Focus: Automation, Drug Discovery, Screening

Michael Song, PhD, is a Principal Scientist at IDEAYA Biosciences specializing in sample management, automation engineering and research informatics. He earned his PhD from UCSF, focusing on functional genomics and bioinformatics. Throughout his career in biotechnology, Michael has focused on building scalable workflows that connect physical high-throughput screening operations with modern data infrastructure.

At IDEAYA Biosciences, Michael bridges lead discovery, sample management and automation engineering, overseeing sample logistics and high-throughput screening platforms to accelerate oncology drug discovery. Additionally, he leads initiatives to streamline data capture, centralize assay information, and simplify analytics workflows through AWS cloud infrastructure and interactive dashboards.

Prior to joining IDEAYA Biosciences, Michael worked at Monte Rosa Therapeutics, supporting high-throughput screening, assay development, and data governance for targeted protein degradation programs. His work there involved scaling compound libraries, integrating robotic platforms including HighRes and Hamilton systems to maximize screening throughput, and integrating software platforms to improve data reproducibility and accelerate early drug discovery timelines.

Area of Focus: Automation, Bioinformatics

Arun Timmaraju is a molecular biologist and bioinformatician who leads Bioinformatics & Assay Development at Interpace Diagnostics in Pittsburgh, PA. He has driven the development, validation, and optimization of multiple molecular diagnostic assays in a CLIA/CAP-accredited laboratory, taking them through New York State DOH approval to commercial launch. His work underpins several products for thyroid and pancreatic cancer diagnostics, and his earlier research advanced the understanding of microbial biofilms. Arun holds an MS in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of New Haven, and a BSc in Chemistry and a Post Graduate Diploma in Bioinformatics from Osmania University and is an MBA Candidate at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

Area of Focus: Automation, Operations

Madeline Tran is an automation engineer based in the San Francisco Bay area with 10 years of experience working in operations and recently transitioned into engineering. Tran is has experience in scaling laboratory operations and automated platforms across biopharma and biotech, including roles at Genentech, insitro, Clara Foods, Monsanto, and Synthego.

Area of Focus: Automation, Biotech, Protein Engineering

Curtis Walton, PhD, is the Director of Automation and Process Optimization at the Institute for Protein Innovation (IPI). He brings deep expertise in laboratory automation, bioinformatics, and protein engineering, with a strong track record of building scalable workflows that accelerate scientific discovery. Curtis holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Ottawa, where he developed novel biocatalysts for pharmaceutical applications. At IPI and in previous roles, he has led multidisciplinary teams and spearheaded the integration of cutting-edge automation platforms, transforming research pipelines through innovative, and data-driven approaches.

Area of Focus: Automation, Vaccines, Oncology

David Westover, PhD, is a pharmaceutical development professional specializing in translational research, cellular and biochemical assay development, process analytics and laboratory automation. He has extensive expertise with both small molecule and vaccine products. He has performed drug development roles in both academia and industry.

He holds a BS in Biomedical Sciences and a PhD in Molecular Pharmacology and Cancer Therapeutics. He completed his post-doctoral fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the laboratory of Christine M. Lovly, MD, PhD. There, he discovered and published novel mechanisms of resistance to osimertinib, an FDA-approved tyrosine kinase inhibitor and first-line therapy in lung cancer patients with an EGFR-activating mutation. He was hired to a permanent position with the Vanderbilt High-Throughput Screening Facility to develop and automate large-scale biological assays supporting drug discovery, medicinal chemistry and drug repositioning efforts.

David is currently a Senior Scientist within Merck’s Analytical Research & Development team, where he enables mRNA vaccine bioprocess development by automating analytical workflows and data analysis. His team is responsible for (1) automating and implementing a variety of analytical methods, including immunologic, cell-based, and biochemical assays; and (2) partnering with bioprocess- and formulation-facing colleagues to optimize and scale vaccine bioprocess for clinical trials.

Chi Yun successfully transitioned from academia to the startup world in 2021 and is excited to share her experience. To date, she has overseen hundreds of diverse, 2D and 3D cell-based, high-throughput screening projects from academic researchers in the New York City area. As an expert in functional genomics, high-content screening and cell-based assay development, she has also presented at high-content analysis meetings, directed courses on best practices for RNAi screening and teaches a graduate course section on automation, screening and data analysis. Yun co-founded the NYU Image Analysis Working Group which discusses software applications, image analysis standards, project-based examples and best practices for data retention and is also Chair of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Laboratory Research & Innovation Group (LRIG)