SOPHIA LASKARIS-GARCIA
San Francisco,CA
Summary
Experienced lab manager with over eight years of experience streamlining workflows, optimizing purchasing and inventory systems and supporting fast-paced research environments. Skilled in training teams, implementing new tools, and improving operational efficiency across diverse research groups. Strong communicator, known for proactive problem solving, relationship building, and helping scientific teams work more effectively.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Lab Manager
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, UCSF
San Francisco, CA
02.2023 - Current
- Direct all operational aspects of the lab, supporting principal investigator Dr. Zachary Knight and managing a large-scale mouse colony of over 700 cages for behavioral Neuroscience research
- Coordinate strategic planning, lab operations to support scientific goals, including equipment acquisition, space utilization, and vendor relationships.
- Serve as primary liaison between the lab and UCSF’s IACUC and EH&S, ensuring full compliance across all animal protocols and lab safety initiatives.
- Perform comprehensive animal health checks and address any potential health issues within the colony.
- Supervise a multidisciplinary team of 20 people (including postdocs, graduate students, and research staff), providing mentorship, guidance and conflict resolution.
- Develop and maintain onboarding processes for new personnel, ensuring timely completion of all compliance, safety, and training requirements.
- Streamline laboratory workflow, improve communication, and ensure continuity of research activities.
- Redesigned and maintain the lab website to showcase ongoing research, and support recruitment and outreach initiative.
- Manage lab infrastructure and equipment service contracts, coordinate repairs, service requests, and facility access with UCSF and external vendors.
- Prepared and coordinated MTAs in collaboration with UCSF and HHMI teams to support the acquisition and distribution of research materials in compliance with institutional policies.
Research Lab Manager
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
07.2017 - 01.2023
- Oversaw daily operations of the Jeff Lichtman Lab, a leading neuroscience lab pioneering Connectomics research using high-resolution serial electron microscopy to map neural circuits.
- Maintained mouse colonies, including breeding and genotyping.
- Maintained lab website and responded to requests for publications and images.
- Used VAST (Volume Annotation and Segmentation Tool) application for manual image segmentation of large serial-electron microscopy (EM) stacks.
- Acted as lab safety officer, monitored use of chemicals and hazardous materials.
- Enforced PPE policy and assured all researchers received proper safety training.
- Responsible for the removal of all chemical and hazardous waste in compliance with Harvard University’s Environmental Health & Safety policies.
- Obtained competitive cost quotes, identified vendors, and record keeping.
- Procured laboratory, computer, and office supplies to support research project needs.
- Performed monthly expense reports in Concur for Professor Lichtman – processed reimbursements for lab related travel and allocated expenses in compliance with Harvard University policies.
- Responsible for reconciling orders, processing invoices, employee travel and research reimbursements.
- Managed and revised IACUC protocols to incorporate fluctuating research needs.
Undergraduate Research Apprentice
UMass Boston Infant Cognition Lab
Boston, MA
01.2014 - 05.2016
- Worked under the guidance of Principal Investigator Mohinish Shukla to utilize behavioral (Tobii eye-tracking) and neuroimaging (Near-infrared Spectroscopy) techniques.
- Subject recruitment, screening, enrollment, scheduling and data collection.
- Attended weekly laboratory meetings and discussions.
- Ran studies examining the cognitive development of infants and toddlers.
- Trained new Research Assistants and lab members.
- Organized and analyzed data using MATLAB.
- Pursued independent research projects.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Biology & Psychology
UMass Boston – College of Science and Mathematics
05.2016
Skills
- Strategic planning and lab operations
- Team leadership
- Onboarding and staff training
- Research compliance
- Facilities and equipment oversight
- Policy implementation
- Procurement and vendor negotiations
- Inventory and resource management
- Institutional systems (Concur, Bearbuy, iLab)
- Expense reporting
- Protocol management
- Colony management
- PCR
- Aseptic technique
- IP & Subcutaneous injections
- Lab equipment maintenance
- Website design and maintenance
- Institutional liaison experience
- Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
- Team support
Websites
Professional Development
HHMI LMNOP Conference, Chevy Chase, MD, 2025, Connected with lab professionals across HHMI institutions; gained insights into best practices in research support, compliance, and lab leadership
Skills Interests
strategic planning and lab operations, team leadership, onboarding and staff training, research compliance, facilities and equipment oversight, policy implementation, procurement and vendor negotiations, inventory and resource management, institutional systems (Concur, Bearbuy, iLab), expense reporting, protocol management, colony management, PCR, aseptic technique, IP & Subcutaneous injections, lab equipment maintenance, website design and maintenance, institutional liaison experience, strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, team support
Timeline
Lab Manager
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, UCSF
02.2023 - Current
Research Lab Manager
Harvard University
07.2017 - 01.2023
Undergraduate Research Apprentice
UMass Boston Infant Cognition Lab
01.2014 - 05.2016
Bachelor of Science - Biology & Psychology
UMass Boston – College of Science and Mathematics