Introducing Thrive in Science: Women’s Leadership Edition

In our first episode of Thrive in Science: Women’s Leadership Edition, hosts Ginger Cooper, CEO of Summit Success Group, and SLAS Scientific Director Madeline Farley, PhD, introduce themselves, share their career journeys, and share the inspiration behind launching this new podcast spotlighting women in science. 

They talk about what it means to thrive in the field, the many paths to leadership, and what’s ahead in upcoming conversations. They also share where you can meet the hosts in person at SLAS Europe 2026 in Vienna, 19–21 May. 

Want to learn more? Check out our press release. 

We’re always looking to highlight inspiring women in science. If there’s someone you think should be featured on Thrive in Science, we’d love to hear from you. Please fill out this form.

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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

Transcript

Ginger Cooper (00:34)
Hey everyone, I'm Ginger Cooper.

Madeline Farley (00:36)
and I'm Madeline Farley.

Ginger Cooper (00:37)
And welcome to our first episode of Thrive in Science where we highlight the amazing women in our industry. In our inaugural episode today, we'll introduce ourselves, talk about how we got here hosting this podcast, why thriving matters to us, and how to meet us in person at the upcoming SLAS Europe Conference in Vienna. Since we will be interviewing women, learning about real wins that they've had, how they did it, and what they would do differently and who inspired them along the way.

It's only fair that I think we answer these questions ourselves in this first episode. But before we jump in and do that, why don't we go ahead and introduce ourselves a little bit to you about how we even came to the roles that we're in today and why are we sitting here recording this current podcast? Madeline, why don't you start?

Madeline Farley (01:21)
Yeah, thank you. So I've been with SLAS for just under four months now. And prior to that, I was the chief scientific officer for a contract research organization overseeing the biochemistry and bioanalytical division. So that was both small and large molecule assay development. It was a pretty interesting role. I had oversight over operations and the scientific team, as well as some customer interfacing as well. And I really enjoyed it.

⁓ But probably my favorite thing that I got out of that experience was my enjoyment in the scientific strategy and mentoring junior scientists. And so I think for me, it was pretty telling that what I wanted for my next role was to have an impact at a larger scale. And that's the opportunity I get to have as the scientific director with SLAS, is I'm responsible for our scientific programmatic and educational content and the long-term strategy of that.

And I get the opportunity to work with our amazing members to figure out, know, to make sure that our scientific programming is strong and evolving and staying current and making sure that we have the educational and training resources to support early career scientists as they move through their career. And so it's been really exciting. And I think that really relates to one of the reasons I'm so excited about this podcast. so there's, there's two, two reasons I'm really excited.

So for me, working with SLAS, it's really the beginning of my deep dive into laboratory automation. And so getting the chance to firsthand interview all of these successful women that are really pushing the field along, I'm excited for that, for my own learning and just the exposure and of course, boosting their visibility. And the other aspect is highlighting the different paths that women have taken within the field. And so that our audience can hopefully walk away with this concept that

There's not one specific path to success, that there's this variability and you should truly follow what inspires you and what works well for you. And so, yeah, I'm really looking forward to working with you Ginger on this. And can you give us a little bit of your background, your current role and how you got involved with SLAS?

Ginger Cooper (03:21)
Yeah, absolutely. And I love that about the different career paths because we've definitely, you and I, completely different career paths. I adore science and automation, but I am horrible in the lab. And so for my entire career since 1999, I have been on the vendor side of lab automation. I've helped customers optimize their liquid handling protocols.

you know, all way up to helping them design and, and implement their large scale custom automation. You know, over the last 10 years, I've shifted my focus on to more auto like digital labs in, ⁓ connected labs. And ever since January of 24, I actually have my own consulting company now where I help, biotech and pharma customers digitize their labs and help put the, put infrastructure in place.

And so, you for me, it's all about the structure and all about working with scientists to help them make sure that they can get their science done faster and more reliable. And I think from the podcast perspective, I adore helping give people a platform to, ⁓ to honor what they've accomplished. Yeah. I did a lot of this when I was at Agilent Technologies with some employee networking groups that I was a part of and

I think it's the part I miss the most about working inside a company versus being a consultant is like, like you mentoring people, but more so just hearing about and being around really smart people. And so I think with this podcast, I get to be, you know, interview, right? We get to meet and interview all of these insanely smart women who have had these amazing accomplishments that maybe other people don't know about. and I think giving

women of all various company sizes, industry backgrounds, be it academic, pharma, government, et cetera, small, large companies. think what you touched on as well, varying degrees of levels within an organization at different parts in their career, I think is going to be amazing to be able to highlight that.

So I'm also really excited to work with you on this, Madeline. I think it'll be great. So I think now that everybody knows a little bit more about us, let's go ahead and answer the questions that we're going to task the women that will be on our show. In the future, let's answer those questions. So can you talk about a win that you've had in your career that made a measurable impact or something that you're extremely proud of?

Madeline Farley (05:35)
Let's do it.

Yeah, something I'm extremely proud of. So going back to my postdoctoral experience, I had the chance to start working with an ocular injury model in order to study neuronal regeneration. then cut to later when I'm in industry, I'm working on assay development, but the CRO has an ocular niche. So a lot of their biodistribution studies are done with ocular tissues. And so there was this opportunity for me to take my previous experience and onboard.

this ocular injury model for preclinical use. so that was really rewarding in itself. But then as I continued to move through leadership roles within the same company, I was able to hire additional scientists and staffs to bring on an entire suite of ocular preclinical models, which was fantastic because not only could we further our clients' programs, there was this opportunity to mentor and really train an entire group of scientists, which I really enjoyed.

So teaching them, how do you think about the mechanisms behind a preclinical model? What is the underlying biology? Does it speak to the question that the client has? How do you think about onboarding a model? How do you validate it? And so there was a lot of training aspects to that and mentoring, which I find valuable. And so that was really rewarding experience for me. Yeah.

Ginger Cooper (06:58)
I love

that. know, I think it's being able to mentor people and just help them on their own journey is, it's such a great, paying it forward kind of thing. Yeah.

Madeline Farley (07:09)
Yeah, yeah, I really

think so because I think to be successful at mentoring, you really have to understand where people are, what their motivations are and where they're looking to go. And so I feel like it's a really personal connection and I just think it's a fascinating process. So what about you, Ginger? Is there a moment in your career you feel like you've made a huge impact or you feel really proud about?

Ginger Cooper (07:29)
Yeah, I think, you I was thinking about this and, you know, in preparation for, for the podcast and, I'll probably lean on the proud of as well versus meaningful impact. It might tie together. I think in one of my, and I'll do it from a recent past versus like far, like times long, long ago.

I'll say I was working on with a consulting client and helping them streamline their processes. Right. So it's no different than looking across at automation workflows and trying to figure out how to, how to do them better. And I did it in a very undigital way of sticky notes and had all of the groups, you know, do all these sticky notes for all of their processes. And at the end, what started out as a grumble fest, right? Nobody wants to write down on sticky notes, all the steps in their own process and stuff.

And it was, it took a lot of effort to get people on board with this. At the end, everybody was really excited. very few people had seen the entire process from end to end. Nobody knew, not many people knew where, where what they did, like where it went after and how what they did potentially impacted others downstream. And so that was a really cool experience because you take something that people were

happy about at first. And then you show them through the process how the whole company can make things measurably better just by tweaking a few areas. And so it also ended up being like a mentorship and coaching with a lot of these employees just about, well, because you take scientists and then you start training them to think in different ways outside of their own specialty.

which a lot of times people don't have the opportunity to do. And so I got to do my favorite thing, which is mentoring as well as streamlining people's daily work for the better. So I thought that was a really, really cool experience to have. So, Yeah.

Madeline Farley (09:22)
I love that. There's a lot of parallels there, right? It's both

the mentorship aspect, but also the providing the additional benefit.

Ginger Cooper (09:30)
100%. So would you do anything differently? Like if you had to, you know, take your one experience that you talked about, and if you got the opportunity to do it again, is there anything that, an approach you would take differently, anything like that?

Madeline Farley (09:43)
Yeah, and I think this is a great question. And my answer almost goes back to the mentoring idea again. I think anyone that grows in leadership roles and takes on additional responsibility, but I think women especially, there's a period where you grow into your leadership style and your mentorship style, right? And I think what I wish I had done differently is just lean into my intuitive style a little bit sooner and feel confident in it, right?

People are very different and I have this collaborative style. I'm really motivated by people's personal motivations. And so I like to have those connections. And I think there's a lot of different styles and without exposure to them, sometimes it can be hard for people to know, hey, this is okay and this is fantastic. And I'm gonna do this the way that makes sense to me because I'm probably gonna be more successful that way. And it's part of one of the reasons I'm excited about the podcast because in addition to highlighting wins,

You're also highlighting the different ways people approach things and their different styles. And it's this huge, visible platform for like, hey, so and so is doing it like this. That's kind of like me. And you get that role model. You get that mentor through that opportunity. So yeah.

Ginger Cooper (10:35)
Mm-hmm.

So

funny, it reminds me when I shifted from sales into more corporate work, it was probably my biggest adjustment was learning that people did things differently than I did. So talk about growing and scaling into your leadership style or just your leadership full stop. It's, what do you mean? People operate differently than at full speed, the salesperson mode.

Madeline Farley (11:09)
Exactly, exactly. So, okay, so I'll turn that around to you then as well. Within that experience or generally across your career, is there a specific moment or just aspect that you you had done differently?

Ginger Cooper (11:11)
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. I love...

Yeah, I think it's an interesting question. Because I always think regret is, you know, or looking back, it's a heavy bucket, I think, just because you can't change things. But in that one experience, or even any change management experience, right? I sometimes wish I had more grace for the people going through the change.

you know, I've, I've come a long way from, from the power through at all costs, you know, driver mentality and it's still there, but change takes longer than you want. And it takes longer for people to come along for the ride than you ever want it to be. And so sometimes I wish I had more grace and patience with that. and that's just in general.

I think the mentoring and the coaching I love. And usually in the first month or two of these change management programs is my hardest because I have to remember and learn everybody's styles. And as a consultant, you're engaging with different people all the time. And so everybody's styles are different. And sometimes I can forget, this is my style learning period.

Madeline Farley (12:22)
Mm-hmm.

Ginger Cooper (12:32)
And then, you know, then I can jump in after. So I think for me, it's more having more grace for the people that I'm engaging with if it is a change management type of project.

Madeline Farley (12:41)
Yeah,

I love that. think that sort of self-awareness about pace and where others are is really important. Yeah.

Ginger Cooper (12:49)
Yeah. I think, well, and that goes to, and we've talked a lot about mentorship, right? And in just changing and, ⁓ in learning as we grow into our own leadership styles in your own journey, has there been anyone in particular that stands out in your mind that's inspired you along the way? Maybe it's not one person, maybe it's multiple, but if there's anyone that you want to highlight, that'd be great.

Madeline Farley (12:52)
Thank

Yeah, I was fortunate to have two extremely fantastic mentors through my academic tenure. So both in graduate school and as a postdoc, just people that are really calm and excellent mentors, like very much thinking about what it is that their mentees need to get out of this situation. You know, thinking about my own relationship with them and their relationship with others in our labs. And I really look up to that as well.

And so I think those were great opportunities and those are the type of relationships I look to also build. But I think what's interesting about it is all of those mentors and my supervisors in industry were all men. And so it's sort of coming back to the idea that, yes, there certainly were women around, there were women mentors, but like that wasn't my personal experience. And so it's one of the other things I'm looking forward to is having these conversations and just, you know, thinking about that.

Ginger Cooper (13:55)
Yeah.

Madeline Farley (14:02)
So for you specifically, yeah, is there any specific role model or just generally through your career?

Ginger Cooper (14:08)
Yeah, first of all, just say too that I think part of STEM and women in our Thrive podcast in particular, like you just mentioned, that I'm really excited about is this highlighting women and to get women mentors. Because a lot of the times there's so many amazing women out there. And by providing this platform to lift them up and, you

give them their flowers, so to speak, while they're still around to receive them. I think that it puts the spotlight on women around to feel more comfortable maybe owning their achievements and giving a space to, and then that way other women can find them if they want. Not that we're going to be a mentor match service, but that people will know that there are people out there like them potentially going through the same things or overcoming the same things. And I think that's.

Madeline Farley (14:33)
Right.

Ginger Cooper (14:57)
That's just amazing. so, you know, I think for me, if it hadn't been for my professor in college that I did research with Dr. Doyle, she was a lipid biochemist and the only woman in her PhD program back in the seventies. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't even know that working in industry as like on the vendor side of things was even a possibility. You know, as I mentioned in my intro,

I love science. I adore it. I'm like a big nerd. have a favorite virus. But I'm horrible in the lab. Nobody would ever want me working with my favorite virus, by the way. It's Ebola, and so it would be really scary. without her, I wouldn't know that I could still be around the sciences, keep up to date on everything that's going on, but not have to perform it.

Madeline Farley (15:36)
you

Ginger Cooper (15:49)
All right, that I could help scientists perform it. she's, I'm still in touch with her when I'm back in Massachusetts, we grabbed dinner and I tell her all the time that one, she inspired me because she was a woman in a field that there were no women at the time. And in two, that if it wasn't for her, I may not be on this career path. You know, I think.

In terms of mentors, I tend to have an interesting mix. I joke that it takes a village to raise me. And so I usually have a couple mentors and one is normally a very similar personality style to me. And then another is always one that's vastly different, like 180 degrees different. So I can learn. Well, because then it gives me like a good understanding of how else could I be, right? Like one is how can I continue to grow my career and show up as a leader?

Madeline Farley (16:29)
That's interesting.

Ginger Cooper (16:40)
with the personality style I have, and then what does the other side look like? And it helps me get an alternate perspective on certain scenarios, leadership, et cetera. And I found that that model for me really works well, and I've been very fortunate with mentors along the way. And so I think now that people know a little bit more about us and why we're here,

⁓ and on this podcast and really excited. know we're both really excited to, start interviewing people and getting our first guests on and. And hearing all about the amazing accomplishments that they've had, but Madeline, do you want to talk about, you know, ⁓ upcoming SLAS and where people, if they're going to be in Vienna, where they can meet us in person and then maybe touch on how we will, ⁓ find guests in the future.

Madeline Farley (17:30)
Yeah, absolutely. So Ginger and I will both be at SLAS Europe. That's May 19th through the 21st in Vienna. And we would love for you to come and connect with us. If you want to chat about the podcast, talk about potentially being a guest on that, we would love to have a conversation.

Ginger is moderating a panel on the do's and don'ts of the Connected Lab, and that's May 20th at 4.30. And then immediately following that, there's the Women in Science Mixer that will both be attending at 5.30 PM. And so we would love to just have conversations about ideas for the podcast, potential guests. And so coming back to how do we plan to source guests for this. our hope is that in interviewing our guests, we can get

recommendations from our guests and that we can also get suggestions from our audience. So if you have a suggested guest, please shoot us a comment, let us know. Ginger, is there anything you wanted to add about your panel that you're moderating and, Vienna?

Ginger Cooper (18:22)
Yeah, I'm very excited about the panel. think, given coming out of SLAS Boston, there was a lot of talk and excitement around the Connected Lab in all the ways that it's successful in its implementations. I just had a prep call with the panelists today and we're going to get into what happens when things don't really go the way that we hoped that they would and how they've all.

Kind of like our question about what would you do differently that we have in our own podcast. I'm talking with my panelists about that as well. So like, what did you learn after this went horribly wrong? What do you now do differently and how do you approach situations? So I'm super excited.

about our podcast and more so about getting recommendations either from our guests or from other people in the SLAS community on who we can interview and have as guests on the podcast so that it's not just the people we know because there's so many insanely brilliant people out there that we don't know yet and I can't wait to meet them.

Madeline Farley (19:23)
Fantastic. Thank you.

Okay, well, I think that's all the time we have for today. We're super excited about this podcast moving forward and really appreciate you following.

Ginger Cooper (19:31)
Hopefully we'll see you all in Vienna. Till next time.

Madeline Farley (19:33)
Yes.