Voices from the Lab: Breakthroughs and Best Practices from The Cell Summit
This August, leaders across the cell and gene therapy (CGT) industry will gather in Indianapolis for The Cell Summit ’25, hosted by BioLife Solutions. Designed as a dynamic forum for knowledge-sharing, product exploration, and problem-solving, this event brings together voices shaping the next generation of CGT manufacturing.
Below is a look at the speakers and innovators shaping this year’s program with a brief summary of their scheduled talk tracks.
Featured Speakers
Aby J. Mathew, PhD – BioLife Solutions
Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Aby J. Mathew is a recognized thought leader in the biopreservation and cell and gene therapy industries. He is a founding team member of BioLife Solutions, Inc., and has led the innovation, development, and commercialization of the company’s proprietary CryoStor® and HypoThermosol® FRS Biopreservation Media platform technologies. In addition to co-developing the Biopreservation Media platform, Dr. Mathew established BioLife’s initial Manufacturing process and Quality system, and he supports all advanced discussions for Biopreservation Media customers, clinical, and commercial development. Dr. Mathew has served various roles for organizations and societies including ISCT, AABB, Society for Cryobiology, Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood Foundation, Cord Blood Association, ARM, CIRM, NIST-AMTech, National Cell Manufacturing Consortium, and the Boards of several organizations. At The Cell Summit, Aby’s presentation will explore key regulatory considerations and emerging best practices for ensuring compliance in formulation, development, and cryopreservation of cell and gene therapy products.
Alan Smith, PhD – Charles River Laboratories
Executive Director, Global Scientific Portfolio Management | CDMO
Dr. Alan Smith brings over four decades of experience in cell and gene therapy, spanning research, process development, GMP manufacturing, quality systems, facility design, and regulatory strategy. He has held executive leadership roles at companies including Ambys Medicines, Akouos (acquired by Lilly), Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, and Cognate BioServices, and has supported more than 25 regulatory applications for human clinical trials. At The Cell Summit, Alan will present “Process Optimization: Weighing Build vs. Buy in CGT Manufacturing,” offering a seasoned perspective on how organizations can assess internal capabilities versus external partnerships to drive efficient, scalable, and cost-effective therapeutic production.
Alireza Abazari, PhD – BioLife Solutions
Senior Director, Cell Processing
Dr. Alireza Abazari applies deep expertise in cryopreservation and CGT workflows to help customers adopt scalable, closed-system solutions. With prior roles at Pluristyx and Lyell Immunopharma, and academic training at Harvard Medical School, he brings a unique perspective to process development and innovation. Alireza’s session at The Cell Summit will highlight proven strategies and best practices for implementing biopreservation protocols that support consistency, quality, and scalability in cell and gene therapy manufacturing.
Alex Sargent, PhD – Charles River Laboratories
Director of Process Development of Cell and Gene Therapy
Dr. Alex Sargent – better known as “Sarge” – is currently the Director of Process Development of Cell and Gene Therapy at Charles River Laboratories. Sarge brings more than 15 years of cell therapy development experience and specializes in leading teams that integrate innovative platforms with best practices in GMP manufacturing. He has helped dozens of companies successfully scale their processes. Sarge’s two sessions will explore how optimized formulation and freezing methods, paired with integrated automation strategies, can enhance cell viability and support scalable, compliant manufacturing for cell and gene therapies.
Andrew Hamann, PhD – InVitria
Product Application Scientist
Dr. Andrew Hamann leads internal and collaborative studies at InVitria, supporting the use of recombinant, animal-origin-free proteins in CGT applications. With a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and a background in nonviral gene delivery, he specializes in optimizing workflows for T cells and other therapeutic cell types. His work focuses on scalable, defined solutions to improve the safety and efficacy of advanced therapies. Andrew’s presentation will examine how combining human platelet lysate (hPL) with defined supplements can significantly improve T cell recovery and function following cryopreservation.
Ashley A. Krull, PhD – The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Associate Director, Cellular Therapy Manufacturing & Engineering;
Assistant Professor, Hematology
Dr. Ashley Krull serves as Associate Director of Cellular Therapy Manufacturing and Engineering at The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute and holds a faculty appointment in the Division of Hematology at Ohio State. With a PhD in Neuroscience and advanced training in regenerative neurobiology and clinical cell therapy, she has led initiatives to optimize immune effector cell manufacturing and facilitate the clinical translation of novel therapies. In her presentation, “Cryopreservation in Academia: Balancing Variability, Volume, and Viability,” Ashley will explore the unique biopreservation challenges faced in academic manufacturing environments, including how teams can balance cost, quality, and throughput while maintaining GMP compliance.
Bruce Thompson, PhD – Kincell Bio
Chief Technology Officer
Dr. Bruce Thompson brings over 25 years of experience in cell therapy product development and manufacturing. He is the founding CEO and current CTO of Kincell Bio, with previous leadership roles at Resilience, Lyell Immunopharma, and Fred Hutch. Bruce has supported more than 15 clinical programs, contributed to six INDs, and continues to drive innovation in CGT manufacturing strategy and CMC development. Bruce will be addressing the unique challenges associated with cryopreserving starting materials in cell and gene therapy, highlighting critical factors that impact product quality, consistency, and downstream success.
Donnie Beers – Entegris
Life Sciences Applications Leader
Donnie Beers, Life Sciences Applications Leader at Entegris, focuses on helping cell and gene therapy companies optimize fluid transfer and sterile connectivity. With a background in technical applications and customer integration, Donnie brings firsthand knowledge of system design and implementation that supports closed-system processing. Donnie’s talk will examine the practical and technical tradeoffs between large and small volume container formats in cell and gene therapy manufacturing.
Emily Hopewell, PhD – Indiana University School of Medicine
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medical & Molecular Genetics
Dr. Emily Hopewell is Director of the Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing Center at Indiana University. She oversees GMP manufacturing and tech transfer processes supporting both academic and commercial sponsors. Her research background spans immunology, hematopoietic cell therapy, and regulatory science. Emily will dive into the advantages and limitations of fresh versus frozen cell products at the point of care, exploring how biopreservation strategy influences logistics, regulatory compliance, clinical outcomes, and scalability in advanced therapies.
Erik Woods, PhD – Ossium Health
Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer
Dr. Erik Woods is a recognized leader in cell and gene therapy product development, with deep experience in stem cell banking and translational research. He co-founded Ossium Health and serves as its EVP and Chief Science Officer, helping drive innovations in donor-derived immune-matched cell therapy. He also holds over a dozen patents in biopreservation and regenerative medicine. Erik will be speaking about key considerations for optimizing storage and control strategies in cell and gene therapy workflows, emphasizing the importance of temperature regulation, inventory management, and quality assurance in maintaining cell integrity from manufacturing to delivery.
Jason Acker, PhD – University of Alberta and PanTHERA CryoSolutions, now part of BioLife Solutions
Professor, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology & Associate Vice-President; Co-Founder and Director
Dr. Jason Acker is a distinguished leader in biopreservation science, with a background in blood product storage, cryobiology, and cell therapy innovation. As Associate Vice-President at the University of Alberta and Co-Founder of PanTHERA CryoSolutions, he has led groundbreaking research in intracellular ice inhibition and novel cryoprotectants that improve post-thaw viability. Jason will examine how ice recrystallization inhibitors (IRIs) are emerging as promising tools to enhance cryopreservation outcomes by minimizing intracellular damage and improving post-thaw viability across sensitive cell types.
Jon Pileggi – CTMC
Associate Director, Process Development
Jon Pileggi brings over 15 years of biotech experience with a focus on adoptive cell therapy and closed-system automation. He has supported the development of more than 10 cell therapy programs, including CAR-T and NK, for clinical manufacturing. Jon previously held roles at MD Anderson Cancer Center, KBI Biopharma, and Bellicum Pharmaceuticals, and is a member of the Society for Cryobiology. Jon will be presenting work the CTMC team has done to demonstrate how closed-system processing improves operational efficiency by minimizing manual interventions, reducing contamination risk, and enabling scalable, reproducible workflows in CGT manufacturing.
Kathi Shea – Azenta Life Sciences
Repository Chief Client Solution Officer
With over 30 years of experience in specimen management and repository leadership, Kathi Shea is a recognized authority in biobanking strategy and operations. At Azenta, she drives innovation in scalable, automated sample management and has led the development of global biorepository facilities. A past President of ISBER, Kathi was honored with its Distinguished Leadership Award in 2020. Kathi will be highlighting how automated storage solutions have streamlined CGT operations by improving material traceability, preserving sample integrity, and ensuring regulatory compliance through advanced tracking and environmental controls.
Leela Paris, PhD – Aspect Biosystems
Senior Vice President, Technical Operations
Dr. Leela Paris is the Senior Vice President of Technical Operations at Aspect Biosystems, where she oversees process development, analytics, manufacturing, quality, and facilities. With prior leadership roles at Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Semma Therapeutics, she has guided cell therapy programs through late-stage clinical trials and built large-scale GMP manufacturing networks supporting global regulatory submissions. At The Cell Summit, Leela will speak on “Operational Scale-Up Challenges in Cell and Gene Therapy,” sharing insights into the practical hurdles and strategic considerations that come with transitioning from early development to full-scale production.
Mandana Haack-Sørensen, PhD – Cell2Cure
Director of Manufacturing
Dr. Mandana Haack-Sørensen is a leader in stem cell manufacturing and translational research with over 20 years of experience advancing cell-based therapies. As Director of Manufacturing at Cell2Cure, she oversees GMP-compliant production for clinical trials across Europe. A published scientist and co-founder of Cell2Cure, she brings deep expertise in regenerative medicine, quality systems, and scalable manufacturing platforms. Mandana’s presentation will explore critical downstream processing steps—such as harvest, washing, formulation, and fill-finish—that are essential for delivering safe, potent, and compliant GMP-grade cell therapy products.
Mark Rehse – Accellix
Senior Sales Manager, Western US
With over 40 years of experience in biotech, Mark Rehse has held both research and commercial leadership roles at pioneering companies including Genentech, CellPro, Beckman Coulter, and Thomson Instrument Company. Now serving as Senior Sales Manager at Accellix, he brings a passion for advancing analytical technologies that support cutting-edge cell therapy development. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to driving innovation across research and manufacturing. Mark’s talk will highlight how integrating automated flow cytometry into manufacturing workflows can streamline in-process controls, reduce human error, and improve consistency and throughput in cell therapy production.
Matthew Branch, PhD – King’s College London
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Dr. Matthew Branch is a stem cell researcher with over 15 years of experience advancing regenerative therapies for corneal and retinal repair. At King’s College London, he leads GMP-focused manufacturing studies for early-phase clinical trials. His work bridges academic research and clinical application to drive innovation in ocular cell therapy. Matthew will be reviewing emerging strategies and technologies that improve the viability, consistency, and scalability of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) downstream processing for clinical and commercial applications.
Olga Bukatova, PhD – Azenta Life Sciences
Associate Director, Business Development Cell & Gene Therapy
Dr. Olga Bukatova brings over a decade of experience in life science logistics and biobanking to her role at Azenta. She has helped companies optimize temperature-controlled storage and transportation strategies from early research through commercialization. Her work supports GMP compliance and global distribution of advanced therapies. Olga will be teaming up with Ossium Health to discuss optimized thawing protocols and tools designed to preserve cell viability and functionality, ensuring the integrity of therapeutic products at the point of use.
Nikhil Joshi – Cellular Vehicles
Co-Founder/CEO
Nikhil Joshi is a Biomedical Engineer with over a decade of experience in medical robotics and device innovation. After earning his B.S. from UC San Diego and M.S. from Columbia University, where he conducted tissue engineering research, Nikhil went on to develop transformative technologies in the medtech space—including as part of the team behind Monarch, the world’s first robotic endoscopy system. Now co-founder of Cellular Vehicles and co-inventor on nine patents, Nikhil focuses on leveraging automation to enhance healthcare access and quality. At The Cell Summit, he will present “Last Mile: Day-of-Treatment CGT Dose Prep Automation in a Small, Closed System,” exploring how point-of-care automation can streamline cell therapy preparation and support broader clinical scalability.
Rui Li, PhD – EastWind CryoWorks
Principal Consultant
Dr. Rui Li is a cryobiologist and strategic consultant in the field of cell-based therapies. She has spent her career advancing cryopreservation technologies for challenging cell types and cold chain scenarios. With a background in academic research and industrial application, Rui offers holistic guidance on preservation design and analytical test methods. Rui has done extensive work examining how cryogenic container selection influences product integrity across the cell and gene therapy workflow and will be sharing those insights at the meeting.
Sean Werner, PhD – BioLife Solutions
Chief Technology Officer
Dr. Sean Werner serves as Chief Technology Officer at BioLife Solutions, overseeing scientific innovation and R&D strategy across the company’s portfolio. He has led cross-functional teams in developing novel biopreservation media, automated systems, and closed vials for CGT applications. Sean is a frequent speaker on biomanufacturing process optimization. Sean’s session will explore how evolving regulatory expectations are shaping audit preparedness and standardization strategies in CGT manufacturing, with practical solutions for ensuring compliance and consistency.
Steven Thompson, PhD – BioLife Solutions
Vice President of Sales
Dr. Steven Thompson is a proven leader in regenerative medicine and bioproduction tools, blending deep scientific training with business strategy. A co-founder of Sexton Biotechnologies and now VP of Sales at BioLife Solutions, he brings expertise in commercialization, sales leadership, and CGT manufacturing optimization. His focus is on advancing technologies that improve therapeutic outcomes across the cell and gene therapy landscape. Steven will review how next-generation container formats can streamline downstream workflows, minimize product loss, and support closed, scalable cell and gene therapy manufacturing.
Terrence Rindler – Bristol Myers Squibb
Director, Technology Transfer – Cell Therapy Technical Operations
Terrence Rindler has over 20 years of experience advancing cell therapy manufacturing, with expertise in automation, validation, and aseptic processing. At BMS, he leads technology transfer and scaling initiatives to expand patient access to CAR-T therapies. His past contributions include the commercialization of Breyanzi® at Juno Therapeutics and Provenge® at Dendreon. Terrence’s presentation will discuss key hurdles and practical solutions in implementing closed system processing and automation, focusing on improving scalability, sterility, and process control in cell and gene therapy manufacturing.
Xiaoxia Cui, PhD – Washington University in St. Louis
Director, Genome Engineering & Stem Cell Center (GESC@MGI)
Dr. Xiaoxia Cui leads the Genome Engineering and Stem Cell Center at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, a premier facility supporting over 150 internal labs and 50 external partners worldwide. With a PhD in Molecular Biology and 12 years of industry experience advancing genome engineering tools using ZFN and CRISPR, she has played a pivotal role in developing genetically engineered models for research. Xiaoxia’s talk, “Comprehensive Quality Control Analyses for Gene-Edited iPSCs,” will provide insights into the analytical rigor required to ensure consistency, functionality, and safety in stem cell platforms used for advanced therapeutic development.
Will You Be Joining Us?
The Cell Summit ’25 promises a comprehensive program packed with cutting-edge presentations covering biopreservation best practices, automation in CGT manufacturing, regulatory strategies, and process optimization, among other critical topics. From formulation breakthroughs and closed-system efficiencies to advanced automation and downstream processing innovations, this event provides a unique opportunity to connect with thought leaders and industry pioneers shaping the future of cell and gene therapy.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative conversation. Register today to secure your FREE meeting spot and join the leading voices driving progress in CGT manufacturing.
