The Pittsburgh Chapter of Women In Bio is excited to present its annual signature event, focusing on a timely and impactful topic. As Pittsburgh solidifies its reputation as a leader in robotics, this event aspires to ignite a conversation about the transformative potential of robotics within the biotech, life science, and healthcare sectors. This panel-style event will feature leading women in the field who are pioneering the use of robotics to tackle unmet needs, whether in cell and gene therapy manufacturing, surgical robotics, or medical devices. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network and engage in meaningful discussions. Ticket includes appetizers and two drink tickets.

Program 

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  Registration and Networking
6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Introductory Remarks
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Panel Discussion and Q&A
8:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Closing Remarks and Networking

Speaker Bios

Kalavati Bhashyam, Sr. Director, Hardware Engineering for Robotics & Enabling Technologies at Smith and Nephew

Kala is the Senior Director for Hardware Engineering at Smith and Nephew Robotics and leads a diverse team of mechanical, electrical, embedded software and test engineers. She is very passionate about encouraging and mentoring engineers in the organization and the larger community. She is also the Global lead for +SWE (Society of Women Engineers) at Smith and Nephew. Previously, she was the Vice President of Product Development at a medical device startup, Harmonic Bionics, that was working to commercialize a robotic exoskeleton for stroke rehabilitation. She developed and led the electrical, embedded software and software applications team, and developed the quality systems, design assurance, and regulatory framework for the organization, in addition to authoring and leading clinical studies. She is passionate about developing and accelerating time to market of breakthrough research in applications of robotics to medicine. Kala’s experience spans over 15 years in the medical device industry at companies such as Stryker, Siemens, and 3M. She’s worked on a variety of technologies, such as robotics, orthopedic power tools, OR equipment, and NPWT (Negative Pressure Wound Therapy). She holds a bachelor’s in electronics and communication engineering from National Institute of Technology, Karnataka (India), a master's in biomedical engineering from Duke University, and a master's in computer science with a focus on interactive intelligence from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Candice Caputo, COO of Humotech 

Candice is COO of Humotech and CXO of Realize Labs, where she leads efforts to share Humotech’s vision: enabling all individuals to leverage the best available technology to achieve their mobility goals and improve their lives. At Realize Labs, she works directly with individuals with limb loss and limb difference to provide innovative technology solutions and resources. Candice uses her background in digital marketing, web development, and business administration to create impactful technology and community solutions for organizations like the Pittsburgh Robotics Network and the getWITit Pittsburgh Chapter. She is passionate about championing women in STEM and empowering other women in tech throughout her community. A certified human-centered design practitioner, Candice focuses on increasing access to empowering technology. In her free time, she volunteers for causes she supports, including combating human trafficking. She holds an MA in media communications, a web development certification, and a BA in business administration.

Lynne Frick, President and CEO of Cell X Technologies

Lynne is CEO of Cell X Technologies, Inc, a Cleveland Clinic spin-out with a robotics platform to automate and manage stem cell workflows using automation and ML/AI. Most recently, she was CEO of 4th Dimension Bioprocess, Inc., a CDMO focused on Continuous Bioprocessing, which was sold to Resilience, Inc. in Dec 2020, where she then served as Co-Head of the Biologics Franchise. She has extensive experience with start-ups and emerging Life Sciences technology and service companies, leading them from inception to sale.

Chelsea Marsh, Head of Hardware Engineering and Director of Device Research at Bayer Pharmaceuticals

Chelsea received dual undergraduate degrees in chemical and biomedical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, a Master’s of Science in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and a PhD in bioengineering from the University of Pittsburgh (thesis: The Development and Application of Arthrokinematic Biomarkers for the Detection of Osteoarthritis). She has worked at Bayer for 10 years and started out in Human Factors Engineering before moving into Systems Engineering. As a systems engineer, she led the establishment of Bayer’s automated robotic testing lab and helped develop its testing capabilities. She was then the Chief Engineer of several fielded and in-development injection systems and is currently the Head of Hardware Engineering, where she leads a team of electrical and mechanical engineers in new product development. Chelsea is a member of Leadership Pittsburgh and volunteers with several local universities, Making Science Make Sense, and the Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair. She focuses her volunteer efforts on STEM learning with local students and mentors university students in their job searches. She also has a husband and two sons, and in her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and being outside.

Megan Shaw, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance, Moderator

Megan is a mission-driven life sciences leader with 20 years of experience in strategy development, early-stage investing, and growth company execution. She is the President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Alliance, a nonprofit that serves as a strategic advocate in developing the greater Pittsburgh region into a global life sciences leader and economic engine. Previously, as Managing Director of Life Sciences at Innovation Works, she managed investments in over 35 life science startups, launched the AlphaLab Health seed-stage healthcare accelerator in partnership with Allegheny Health Network, and served as a board observer for numerous portfolio companies. Megan also served with NIH’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics initiative to identify and scale up technologies to detect SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic, including serving on the Variant Task Force. Earlier, she was employee #1 at HemoSonics, a company sprung from research at the University of Virginia that developed a novel point of care coagulation diagnostic. As Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, she established the business infrastructure and led the commercial leadership team in developing and launching an outcome-changing product. HemoSonics was acquired by French multinational Diagnostica Stago in a successful exit. Megan began her career as a strategy consultant for Monitor Group, a consultancy founded by Michael Porter, and previously worked at two mid-market private equity funds. 

Pricing Information

• Members/Guests: $20
• Non-members*: $35

*Not a Member? Click here to purchase a WIB membership and gain access to our video library, mentorship opportunities, and more.  

Please read WIB's Code of Conduct, In-Person Event Waiver, and Refund Policy.

Note: A confirmation email will be sent after registration has been completed.  

Maximum Capacity

150

Parking Information

Paid parking is available at the Nova Place parking garage, and metered street parking is nearby.