New Matter: Inside the Minds of SLAS Scientists – Details, episodes & analysis

Thank you to SLAS Europe 2026 Sustainability Sponsor, PulpFixin, for sponsoring this episode.

In this special episode, host Emily Yamasaki, PhD, speaks with Chad Jenkins, CEO of PulpFixin, about the pervasive issue of plastics in laboratory settings, particularly single-use plastics. They discuss the environmental and health impacts of plastics, the need for alternatives, and the scientific community’s role in addressing these challenges. Jenkins showcases the innovative products PulpFixin is developing to replace traditional plastic labware with sustainable alternatives, highlighting the importance of reducing plastic use and improving recycling.

Key Learning Points

• The reliance on single-use plastics in laboratories poses serious health and environmental risks.
• Innovative alternatives, such as compostable materials and paper-based labware, are emerging to replace traditional plastics.
• Scientists must evaluate their plastic use and adopt practices that prioritize sustainability.
• Local recycling initiatives and community engagement are crucial for effective waste management.

About PulpFixin:
PulpFixin is a leading manufacturer of sustainable products and packaging. We are dedicated to eliminating single-use and other unnecessary plastics. Our expertise lies in designing and producing products and packaging from compostable or biodegradable sustainable materials to fully replace traditional plastics, and we welcome you to collaborate with us.

Interested in lab sustainability? Join our Sustainability in Sciences Topical Interest Group!

Stay connected with SLAS:

www.slas.org | Facebook | X | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

About SLAS
SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building. 

Upcoming Events:

SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition (19-21 May 2026 | Vienna, Austria)

SLAS Meet-Ups

• Chicago, Illinois (June 18, 2026)
• Leiden, Netherlands (10 September 2026)
• Tübingen, Germany (20 October 2026)

SLAS 2026 Sample Management Symposium (October 21-22, 2026 | South San Francisco, California)

SLAS2027 International Conference & Exhibition (January 30 - February 3, 2027 | San Diego, California)

View the full events calendar

The SLAS2026 Short Course Program consists of 20+ courses that will provide in-depth instruction on topics, issues and techniques related to the laboratory science and technology community. Short Courses run from February 7-8, 2026.

This episode features several instructors who preview their courses, including lesson highlights, takeaways, and why you should attend.

Attending SLAS2026? Browse the full course program and sign up for a course here: SLAS2026 Short Course Program

See the timestamps for each course discussion below:

00:00 — NexusXp: An Introduction to the DMTA Cycle in Drug Discovery

08:43 — NexusXp: Advanced DMTA Strategies for the Modern Lab

17:00 — Get the Word Out: Strategic Communication and Marketing in Life Sciences

27:30 — Introduction to Biologics

Stay connected with SLAS:

• www.slas.org
• Facebook
• X (@SLAS_Org)
• LinkedIn
• Instagram (@slas_org)
• YouTube

About SLAS
SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building. 

Upcoming Events:

SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition (19-21 May 2026 | Vienna, Austria)

SLAS Meet-Ups

• Chicago, Illinois (June 18, 2026)
• Leiden, Netherlands (10 September 2026)
• Tübingen, Germany (20 October 2026)

SLAS 2026 Sample Management Symposium (October 21-22, 2026 | South San Francisco, California)

SLAS2027 International Conference & Exhibition (January 30 - February 3, 2027 | San Diego, California)

View the full events calendar

In this episode, SLAS Scientific Director Lesley Mathews, Ph.D., speaks with returning guest Opentrons CEO Jon Brennan-Badal to discuss their mission to democratize laboratory robotics. The conversation delves into the integration of AI to enhance automation efficiency, explores vendor equipment compatibility via the Opentrons Automation Marketplace, and highlights the platform’s open-source adaptability for diverse scientific applications.

Key Learning Points:

• Methods of providing accessibility in laboratory robotics
• How AI is enhancing automation to make advanced automation tools easier to use
• The importance of offering education and training in lab automation

Like this episode?
Listen to our first episode with Jon Brennan-Badal for more open-source discussion. 

Thank you to our Sponsor
United Robotics Group is a leader in delivering innovative robotic solutions that empower industries to achieve more. Combining cutting-edge technology with human-centric design, we specialize in creating advanced automation tools that streamline processes, enhance precision, and drive efficiency across sectors such as life sciences, manufacturing, healthcare, and more.

Guided by a commitment to innovation and quality, we design solutions that not only address today’s challenges but also pave the way for tomorrow’s possibilities. At United Robotics Group, we’re not just building robots—we’re building partnerships that transform industries and improve lives.

Learn more at https://unitedrobotics.group/en-us.

Stay connected with SLAS:

• www.slas.org
• Facebook
• Twitter @SLAS_Org
• LinkedIn
• Instagram @slas_org
• YouTube

About SLAS
SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building. 

Upcoming Events:

SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition (19-21 May 2026 | Vienna, Austria)

SLAS Meet-Ups

• Chicago, Illinois (June 18, 2026)
• Leiden, Netherlands (10 September 2026)
• Tübingen, Germany (20 October 2026)

SLAS 2026 Sample Management Symposium (October 21-22, 2026 | South San Francisco, California)

SLAS2027 International Conference & Exhibition (January 30 - February 3, 2027 | San Diego, California)

View the full events calendar

Today we hear Lillie Bell, who is studying BSc Medical Biochemistry at the University of Leeds.  Lillie in particular has been looking at target and protein degradation as she was recently she was a Undergraduate Industrial Placement Student in the highthrouput screening group at AstraZeneca.  She is really excited that some of the work she did while AstraZeneca will be used for novel chemistry. Tune in for all the details! 

Lillie was a poster presenter and Student Poster Award Winner at SLAS Europe 2021 Digital. 

Upcoming Events:

SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition (19-21 May 2026 | Vienna, Austria)

SLAS Meet-Ups

• Chicago, Illinois (June 18, 2026)
• Leiden, Netherlands (10 September 2026)
• Tübingen, Germany (20 October 2026)

SLAS 2026 Sample Management Symposium (October 21-22, 2026 | South San Francisco, California)

SLAS2027 International Conference & Exhibition (January 30 - February 3, 2027 | San Diego, California)

View the full events calendar

Today we are chatting with members of the AI Powered Drug Discovery Symposium planning committee; Fernanda Duarte and Kurt Anderson. We are really excited about this hybrid symposium coming up in early November in London. The event has a really amazing line up of speakers as we explore the latest research on data-driven discovery. In addition to the traditional topics surrounding AI Powered Drug Discovery, speakers will also dive into the ethical questions surrounding it. Listen in to hear why it is important to tune in to these sessions. 

Upcoming Events:

SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition (19-21 May 2026 | Vienna, Austria)

SLAS Meet-Ups

• Chicago, Illinois (June 18, 2026)
• Leiden, Netherlands (10 September 2026)
• Tübingen, Germany (20 October 2026)

SLAS 2026 Sample Management Symposium (October 21-22, 2026 | South San Francisco, California)

SLAS2027 International Conference & Exhibition (January 30 - February 3, 2027 | San Diego, California)

View the full events calendar

How do we combine physics and engineering with biomedical research to develop technological solutions for accelerating the human disease knowledge? What cool new technologies are there to discover these solutions to improve the quality of patient life? Well, Silvia Scaglione from React4Life joins us today to share their deeply innovative and highly reactive work. Dive in with us today to find out more! 

Silvia Scaglione, President and Chief Scientific Officer from React4Life which is based in Genova, Italy. React4Life was an Innovation AveNEW company at SLAS Europe 2021 Digital.

Upcoming Events:

SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition (19-21 May 2026 | Vienna, Austria)

SLAS Meet-Ups

• Chicago, Illinois (June 18, 2026)
• Leiden, Netherlands (10 September 2026)
• Tübingen, Germany (20 October 2026)

SLAS 2026 Sample Management Symposium (October 21-22, 2026 | South San Francisco, California)

SLAS2027 International Conference & Exhibition (January 30 - February 3, 2027 | San Diego, California)

View the full events calendar

Start By Listening. Sound advice from Amel Bendali of start-up Inorevia. She, and her fellow Co-founder, listened to what scientists in the field needed and decided to take the next step in lab automation by miniaturizing their processes. Hear how Inorevia is making things smaller, faster, and smarter as Amel Bendali talks with SLAS Program Manager Liz Frank, and co-host Julio Martin on the latest episode. 

Amel Bendali is COO & co-Founder of Inorevia, an Innovation AveNEW company at SLAS Europe 2021 Digital

Julio Martin is an SLAS European Ambassador, independent consultant, and blogger. Check out his blog, Sciengement Lab. 

Upcoming Events:

SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition (19-21 May 2026 | Vienna, Austria)

SLAS Meet-Ups

• Chicago, Illinois (June 18, 2026)
• Leiden, Netherlands (10 September 2026)
• Tübingen, Germany (20 October 2026)

SLAS 2026 Sample Management Symposium (October 21-22, 2026 | South San Francisco, California)

SLAS2027 International Conference & Exhibition (January 30 - February 3, 2027 | San Diego, California)

View the full events calendar

Is it possible for the body's own immune system to fight of cancer? It could be. This is what Stephan Spangenberg and his colleagues at Scripps Research Institute are trying to figure out. Colin Cox from Seer sits in today as co-host with Liz as they chat with Stephan about the ins and outs of his research, his student poster award win, and his excitement over publishing his first research paper. 

Stephan Spangenberg is Graduate Student at the Scripps Research Institute. He was a poster presenter at the SLAS Europe 2021 Digital Conference and a Student Poster Award winner

Check out Stephan's paper in Cell Chemical Biology and this companion paper aimed at researchers setting up flow cytometry based screens for the first time . 

Upcoming Events:

SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition (19-21 May 2026 | Vienna, Austria)

SLAS Meet-Ups

• Chicago, Illinois (June 18, 2026)
• Leiden, Netherlands (10 September 2026)
• Tübingen, Germany (20 October 2026)

SLAS 2026 Sample Management Symposium (October 21-22, 2026 | South San Francisco, California)

SLAS2027 International Conference & Exhibition (January 30 - February 3, 2027 | San Diego, California)

View the full events calendar

Working in 3D systems can be challenging, and the presentations at the upcoming Building Biology in 3D Symposium will provide researchers with a swiss army knife of tools to improve their work.  Listen in  as members of the program committee share their excitement around the sessions, keynotes, and collaborative potential. 

A special thanks to Brinton Seashore-Ludlow, Sinead Knight, Herve Tiriac, Ross Lagoy, Glauco Souza, and Marc Bickle for sitting down and talking to us about this event. 

The Building Biology in 3D Symposium is taking place October 26-27, 2021 in San Diego, Ca. 

Check out Ross's previous podcast, A Critical Platform and hear Brinton host Goals of Miniaturization. 

Upcoming Events:

SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition (19-21 May 2026 | Vienna, Austria)

SLAS Meet-Ups

• Chicago, Illinois (June 18, 2026)
• Leiden, Netherlands (10 September 2026)
• Tübingen, Germany (20 October 2026)

SLAS 2026 Sample Management Symposium (October 21-22, 2026 | South San Francisco, California)

SLAS2027 International Conference & Exhibition (January 30 - February 3, 2027 | San Diego, California)

View the full events calendar

Manuela Beil-Peter (Analytik Jena GmbH) and Clive Green (AstraZeneca) sit down with Liz to share how the program of the European Sample Management (ESM) Symposium will explore this mature discipline and the evolutions and advancements that have taken place in the last few years.  Listen in to find out how we plan to energize the community and prove that the future is bright! 

The European Sample Management Symposium will take place in Berlin, Germany October4-5, 2021 . This hybrid event will showcase the work of compound and sample management professionals.  

Upcoming Events:

SLAS Europe 2026 Conference and Exhibition (19-21 May 2026 | Vienna, Austria)

SLAS Meet-Ups

• Chicago, Illinois (June 18, 2026)
• Leiden, Netherlands (10 September 2026)
• Tübingen, Germany (20 October 2026)

SLAS 2026 Sample Management Symposium (October 21-22, 2026 | South San Francisco, California)

SLAS2027 International Conference & Exhibition (January 30 - February 3, 2027 | San Diego, California)

View the full events calendar