Caitlin Smith
Summary
Laboratory Manager with over 7 years of experience in academic and industry settings. Expertise in leading cross-functional teams, overseeing BSL-2 lab compliance, and optimizing budget administration. Proven track record in enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring regulatory adherence through effective training and stakeholder collaboration.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Laboratory Manager
Tisch MS Research Center of New York
New York City
07.2025 - Current
- Operations & Leadership: Direct daily lab operations, staff supervision, and orientation to ensure safety and cost-effectiveness.
- Specimen Management: Oversee clinical specimen banking, ELISA testing, and biomarker data analysis/reporting.
- Procurement & Finance: Negotiate vendor contracts and manage equipment/consumable logistics while monitoring financial operations.
- Equipment Maintenance: Coordinate all equipment repairs, calibrations, and preventative maintenance.
- Administration: Collaborate with HR/COO on recruitment, payroll, and staff development (CME credits/retreats).
Lab Operations Senior Manager
Lexeo Therapeutics
New York City
03.2022 - 04.2024
- Led Lab Operations function, overseeing design and launch of new internal laboratory facility to enhance operational capabilities.
- Quality & Compliance: Collaborated with QA via ZenQMS to facilitate document control and technical SOP development.
- Collaborated with Finance to manage capital equipment lifecycle and streamline annual operating budgets for improved resource allocation.
- Systems Implementation: Developed purchasing and inventory processes using NetSuite, Benchling, and Quartzy.
- Acted as BSO, CHO, and Emergency Coordinator, securing permits for lab operations and biological sample shipments to maintain regulatory compliance.
Lead Research Operations Sr. Scientist
Prevail Therapeutics (Eli Lilly & Co.)
New York City
04.2019 - 03.2022
- Quality Systems: Developed Laboratory Quality program (LIMS, ELN, SOPs) ensuring compliance with 21 CFR Part 11.
- Technical Oversight: Managed lab expansion and relocation, coordinated equipment installation, and established centralized system for calibration and training records.
- Acted as primary liaison between research teams and Lilly EHS/OHS, facilitating global policy alignment.
- Financial Management: Managed capital equipment lifecycles and prepared detailed annual operating/capital budgets.
Laboratory Manager / Sr. Technician
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
New York City
06.2018 - 03.2020
- Researched molecular mechanisms driving rare tumor development through analysis of mutations and gene fusions via advanced high-throughput sequencing techniques.
- Directed daily operations and managed personnel and resources to enhance lab productivity.
- Training & SOPs: Authored comprehensive research SOPs and trained personnel on advanced lab techniques and safety.
- Authored research SOPs and trained personnel on advanced lab techniques and safety protocols to ensure compliance and competence.
Education
PhD - Molecular Biology
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, NY, USABSc 1st Class Honors - Human Genetics
University College London (UCL)
London, United KingdomSkills
- Laboratory logistics
- BSL-2 safety protocols
- Chemical hygiene practices
- Biological safety oversight
- SOP/WI creation
- CFR Part 11 compliance
- NYC/NYS permitting
- Project coordination
- Vendor negotiation skills
- Procurement processes
- Budgeting expertise
- Microsoft Excel applications
- ERP inventory management systems
- NetSuite ERP knowledge base
- LIMS software experience
- Benchling software skills
- Quartzy platform familiarity
- ZenQMS system usage
- Bench mapping techniques
- Chemical handling protocols
- Leadership in cross-functional teams
Testimonial
"Caitlin's scientific expertise, research background, and understanding of lab operations made her an exceptional laboratory manager at Prevail Therapeutics. Her professionalism, integrity, and passion ensured efficient and smooth lab operations, allowing me, as a non-scientific manager, to confidently rely on her judgment and recommendations."- Bob Lally, SVP Ikena Oncology.
Selected Publications
- Kim, S.H., Da Cruz Paula, A., Basili, T. Dopeso, H., Bi R., Pareja, F., da Silva E., Gularte-Merida R., Sun Z., Fujisawa S., Smith C.G. et al., 2020, Identification of recurrent FHL2-GLI2 oncogenic fusion in sclerosing stromal tumors of the ovary., Nature Communications, 11, 44
- Smith C.G., Kharkwal H. and Wilson D.W., 2017, Expression and subcellular localization of the KSHV Kl5P protein during latency and lytic reactivation in primary effusion lymphoma cells., Journal of Virology, 01370-17
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
French
Limited
English
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Research Laboratory Manager
Tisch MS Research Center of New York
07.2025 - Current
Lab Operations Senior Manager
Lexeo Therapeutics
03.2022 - 04.2024
Lead Research Operations Sr. Scientist
Prevail Therapeutics (Eli Lilly & Co.)
04.2019 - 03.2022
Laboratory Manager / Sr. Technician
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
06.2018 - 03.2020
PhD - Molecular Biology
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
BSc 1st Class Honors - Human Genetics
University College London (UCL)