Biotechnology
10 research lab operations experts
These ten professionals have led research lab operations inside biotech and pharmaceutical companies, with titles such as director of laboratory operations and head of lab operations. A reader can learn how in-house teams keep research labs running for their scientists.
Professionals to explore
01—10Amey Kanitkar
LinkedInExperience: Head (Director) Lab Operations · GSK
Head (Director) Lab Operations at GSK since 2025, a role the profile lists at director level. Former Lab Operations Lead (2023–2025), where the profile says this person managed a team of 5-8 employees in an ad-interim capacity to deliver on Lab Operations objectives for the Viral Vaccines Scientific Area, and Laboratory Operations Manager (2022–2023) at GSK.
Ashley Banks
LinkedInExperience: Director Laboratory Operations · AstraZeneca
Director Laboratory Operations at AstraZeneca since 2026, a role the profile lists in operations at director level, and former Associate Director Kendall Square Planning there (2023–2026). Former Director of Laboratory Operations and Safety (2023), Director of Laboratory Operations (2023) and Senior Laboratory Operations Manager (2022–2023) at The Engine.
John Maynes
LinkedInExperience: Director Laboratory Operations · Prime Medicine, Inc.
Director Laboratory Operations at Prime Medicine, Inc. since 2024. Former Associate Director, Lab Operations (2022–2024) and Senior Lab Manager (2021–2022) at Prime Medicine, and Manager, Lab Operations at Voyager Therapeutics, Inc. (2019–2021). The profile says this person leads enterprise laboratory operations, infrastructure and EHS.
Kerry Chios
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Head of Laboratory Operations · Vor Bio
Former Senior Director, Head of Laboratory Operations (2023–2025), Senior Director of Lab Operations (2021–2023) and Director of Lab Operations (2020–2023) at Vor Bio, and Director Laboratory Operations at Neon Therapeutics (2020). The profile lists leading complex lab buildouts and relocations among this person's work.
Loretta Mueller
LinkedInExperience: Director, Laboratory Operations · Vaccinex
Director, Laboratory Operations at Vaccinex since 2022. Former Senior Manager, Laboratory Operations and Safety (2015–2022) and Laboratory Manager (1998–2015) at Vaccinex Inc. The profile says this person leads and drives completion of projects to support the R&D program and partners with internal stakeholders to ensure safety.
Matthew Greenfield
LinkedInExperience: Executive Director, Laboratory Operations and Facilities · Eli Lilly and Company
Executive Director, Laboratory Operations and Facilities at Eli Lilly and Company since 2025. Former Senior Director, Laboratory Operations and Facilities (2024–2025) and Director, Lab Operations and Facilities (2022–2024) at Verve Therapeutics, and Associate Director Laboratory Operations at Alkermes (2020). The profile also lists this person as Co-Chair of the MassBio Facilities and Lab Operations (FLO) Committee.
Mojgan Pishyareh
LinkedInExperience: Director, Head of Lab operation, EHS, and IT · Alltrna
Director, Head of Lab operation, EHS, and IT at Alltrna since 2026, with Associate Director, Head of Lab operation, EHS and Facilities (R&D) at Alltrna also listed from 2023 with no end date. Former Senior Manager, Lab Operations and Facilities (R&D) at Alltrna (2022–2023) and Lab Manager at Schepens Eye Research Institute (2020–2022).
Paul Pittore
LinkedInExperience: Head of Functional Lab Operations · Takeda
Former Head of Functional Lab Operations at Takeda (2020–2026), a role the profile places in Lexington and Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Business Excellence Lead at Takeda since 2026, which the profile headline ties to R&D Lab Operations. Former Manager, Instrumentation, Controls & Metrology at Takeda (2015–2020).
Robert Vassallo
LinkedInExperience: Director Laboratory Operations · AstraZeneca
Director Laboratory Operations at AstraZeneca since 2024. Former Senior Director Facilities & Lab Operations at Ring Therapeutics (2022–2024), Director Facilities & EOHS at Scholar Rock (2019–2022) and Director Site Services at Momenta Pharmaceuticals (2010–2019). The profile describes operations work across facilities ops, lab ops, EOHS and materials management in biopharma R&D.
Stephen Shea
LinkedInExperience: Director Lab & Facilities Operations · AstraZeneca
Director Lab & Facilities Operations at AstraZeneca since 2007. The profile places this role in Innovative Medicines R&D Boston and describes this person as Director of Lab & Facilities Operations at AstraZeneca R&D Boston, with aspirations to be a leader in facilities operations.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's company stage to yours, since standing up lab operations at an early startup differs from running labs at a large drug maker. Also decide whether your question is mainly about lab buildouts and moves, day-to-day lab support or lab safety, and pick someone whose roles centered on that work.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide what lab operations work to keep in-house and what to hand to outside service providers?
- 02How do you plan a lab buildout or relocation so research keeps moving during the move?
- 03Which metrics do you use to show that lab operations are supporting scientists well?
Reaching research lab operations experts
How can I contact one of these research lab operations experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 8 companies, including GSK; AstraZeneca and Prime Medicine, Inc., based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach research lab operations experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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