Laboratories/2013–2022
High-Throughput Screening Platform
NYU Abu Dhabi · CGSB × Core Technology Platforms
Challenge, contribution, and outcome
CHALLENGE
Integrate laboratory robots and scientific instruments into dependable workflows for large-scale biological screening.
MY CONTRIBUTION
Engineered and maintained the platform’s automation: Thermo Fisher Momentum workflows, FANUC configuration, instrument synchronization, fault recovery, and vendor coordination.
OUTCOME
Supported biological screening through 2022 with integrated robotic workflows, instrument maintenance, and operational support for the joint CGSB–CTP platform.
Facility overview
A shared automation platform for chemical and functional genomics screening, developed through the Chemical and Functional Genomics Lab and NYUAD Core Technology Platforms. I was responsible for the automation and systems-engineering work: coordinating robotic plate handling, liquid handling, incubation, imaging, and data acquisition so scientific protocols could run as integrated workflows.
Facility Highlights
- Built as a joint research system: the Chemical and Functional Genomics Lab defined biological screening objectives and assay workflows, while CTP delivered the robotics, automation, instrumentation, and lifecycle-engineering layer that made those workflows dependable shared infrastructure.
- Scientific applications spanned mammalian cells and whole organisms (microbes, worms, zebrafish) — small-molecule and drug-library screening, RNAi and CRISPR functional genomics, high-content cellular imaging, phenotypic profiling, anthelmintic and antimicrobial discovery, toxicity analysis, and natural-product screening.
- Day-to-day collaboration with Dr. Hala Fahs connected laboratory experimental requirements to automated processes — coordinating platform operation, CellInsight high-content imaging support, fault diagnosis, repairs and preventive maintenance, spare parts, and Thermo Fisher engineer engagement for upgrades, calibration, and recommissioning.
- Engineering scope covered robotic-system integration, Momentum workflow programming, FANUC configuration, instrument synchronization, new-equipment integration, troubleshooting, user training, and lifecycle management — keeping the platform available for ongoing research rather than treating it as a static instrument stack.
Institutional Collaboration & Project Team
Nikolaos Giakoumidis
NYU Abu Dhabi · Core Technology Platforms
Automation & systems engineering
Kristin Gunsalus
NYU Abu Dhabi · Chemical and Functional Genomics Lab
Scientific leadership
Fabio Piano
NYU Abu Dhabi · Chemical and Functional Genomics Lab
Scientific co-leadership
Hala Fahs
NYU Abu Dhabi · Chemical Genomics program
Principal scientific & operational collaborator
Chemical and Functional Genomics Lab
Center for Genomics and Systems Biology
Scientific ownership & research direction
Core Technology Platforms
NYU Abu Dhabi
Engineering & infrastructure organization
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Primary technology partner
Platforms & Systems
Equipment and platforms established or operated in this laboratory — not a claim that every connected project used each system.
Publications & media
Photos
PLATE-HANDLING RAIL ROBOT — HTS ENCLOSURE — NYU Abu Dhabi · CGSB × Core Technology Platforms · 2013–2022
Plate-handling rail robot inside the NYUAD high-throughput screening enclosure, flanked by instrument stacks
RAIL ROBOT — PLATE HOTELS & INSTRUMENTS — NYU Abu Dhabi · CGSB × Core Technology Platforms · 2013–2022
Rail-mounted plate-handling robot between microplate hotels and Agilent instruments inside the HTS enclosure
THERMO CYTOMAT — INCUBATOR UNDER ENCLOSURE — NYU Abu Dhabi · CGSB × Core Technology Platforms · 2013–2022
Thermo Scientific Cytomat automated incubator cabinets beneath the glass-fronted HTS robotic enclosure
HTS CELL — ENCLOSURE & CONTROL STATION — NYU Abu Dhabi · CGSB × Core Technology Platforms · 2013–2022
Wide view of the HTS robotic enclosure beside the multi-monitor operator control station
OPERATOR DESK — MONITORS & E-STOP — NYU Abu Dhabi · CGSB × Core Technology Platforms · 2013–2022
HTS control desk with four monitors, overhead camera-feed display, server rack, and emergency stop
AGILENT BRAVO — 96ST LIQUID HANDLER — NYU Abu Dhabi · CGSB × Core Technology Platforms · 2013–2022
Agilent Bravo automated liquid handler with a 96-channel ST head over the microplate deck
PIPETTE HEAD — MULTI-CHANNEL TIP ARRAY — NYU Abu Dhabi · CGSB × Core Technology Platforms · 2013–2022
Underside close-up of a multi-channel liquid-handling head with a dense array of pipette tips
MICROPLATE LABELER — CAB A2+ & STACKER — NYU Abu Dhabi · CGSB × Core Technology Platforms · 2013–2022
Agilent Microplate Labeler with cab a2+ printer, Foscam camera, and plate stacker on the HTS bench