SLAS 2026 Sample Management Symposium

SLAS 2026 Sample Management Symposium

Genentech 
401 DNA Way
Building 21
South San Francisco, CA 94080

Register Today – the SLAS 2026 Sample Management Symposium hosted at Genentech will bring together sample managers and technology providers to discuss best practices, digital innovation, current trends and topics related to the expansion and demands of research facilities, including biospecimens, data analysis and more. Each year’s symposium program is unique and will address current topics and challenges.

What You Can Expect

• 5 Scientific Sessions: Explore the latest advancements in sample management through expert-led presentations that inform, educate and deliver practical solutions.
   
• 14 Exhibitors: Engage with industry-leading technology providers showcasing their innovative solutions.
   
• Technology Snapshots: Concise, insightful technology demonstrations and solutions relevant to your needs.
   
• Networking that Matters: Build valuable connections and collaborations within the sample management community.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Science, Strategy and Solutions

Five scientific sessions will address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in sample management today. From integrating AI and automation to building robust ecosystems for multiple modalities, each session delivers actionable insights you can apply directly to your work. Subject matter experts will present strategies for modernizing your infrastructure, adopting best practices from other industries, and future-proofing your operations against unexpected disruptions.

These sessions are valuable because they’re not strictly theoretical—they’re practical. Each session will provide you with the knowledge to boost efficiency, enhance data integrity, and accelerate discovery in an increasingly complex research landscape. Attending will empower you not just to keep pace with change, but to lead it within your own organization.

Select a session below for information, including: topic description, subtopics and current speakers. 

1. The Intelligent Lab: AI and Automation Driving Next-Generation Sample Management
    
2. Building a Sample Management Ecosystem for Multiple Modalities
    
3. Infrastructure and Informatics: The Modern Backbone of Discovery
    
4. Lessons from Beyond Traditional Sample Management
    
5. Resilience by Design: Future Proofing Sample Management Operations

View All Sessions

Session Previews

Have you ever wondered what goes into planning a session? Here is a special look at directly from our session chairs, covering:

• What inspired their session
   
• Its significance to the sample management community
   
• Key takeaways from the session

 

Brenda Li-Johnson

 

Building a Sample Management Ecosystem for Multiple Modalities

Read More

 

Thomas Frech, MS

 

Lessons from Beyond Traditional Sample Management

Read More

 

Andrew Napper, PhD

 

The Intelligent Lab: AI and Automation Driving Next-Generation Sample Management

Read More

Program Committee

Program Co-Chairs:

Kristen Nailor, Senior Principal Scientific Manager (Genentech)
Brenda Li-Johnson, Associate Director UP Discovery Sample Management (GSK)

Committee Members:

Andrew Napper, Executive Director, Head of Automation and Analytical Technologies (BMS)
Gustavo de Oliviera, Biorepository Site Manager (Azenta Life Sciences) 
James Craven, Chief Commercial Officer (Simplicis)
Thomas Frech, MS 

SLAS Event Contacts

Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening 
1301 West 22nd Street, Suite 708 
Oak Brook, IL 60523 USA 
US Toll-Free: 877.990.SLAS (7527) 
International: +1.630.256.SLAS (7527)