Robert Nicol, M.B.A., M.S.

Director of Sequencing Operations,
The Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard University,
& Ph.D. Candidate, Engineering Systems Division (ESD),
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Process Improvement as a Catalyst for Innovation, Examples from High Throughput DNA Sequencing"

Abstract

The exponential efficiency increases in high throughput DNA sequencing that made the human genome project possible have largely been attributed to technology advances. But process improvement in the organizations responsible for this technology has contributed in equal measure. The use of statistical process control, design of experiments, supply chain optimization, and other techniques from industry has enabled these technologies to form robust, efficient, and adaptable systems. Beyond the benefits in efficiency, process improvement enables innovation by deploying the troubleshooting, analysis, and control methods needed to rapidly integrate new ideas and technologies. The benefits can be very significant, as demonstrated by examples from the Broad Institute Genome Sequencing Platform.

Biography

Robert Nicol is Director of high throughput sequencing at the Broad Institute.  He oversees technology development, operations, supply chain, and special projects groups for the genome sequencing platform. Robert was previously a project manager for Fluor Corporation, the largest US based publicly traded engineering and construction firm.   In this capacity he was responsible for large scale overseas projects for major petrochemical companies.  In 1999, Robert moved to MIT, where he was a fellow in the Leaders for Manufacturing program performing research on manufacturing systems and processes.  Upon completing his fellowship at MIT in 2001, he moved to the Broad Institute to implement industrial process design, control, and improvement techniques to biological research.

Robert received his M.B.A. and M.S. in chemical engineering in 2001 from MIT, and a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Houston in 1992.  He is a PhD candidate in the Engineering Systems Division.


 





Home | Agenda | About Us | Speakers | Sponsors | Lodging | Directions | Registration | Contact Us



© 2005 IBM & MIT POPI - All Rights Reserved


MIT P
rogram on the Pharmaceutical Industry (POPI)
38 Memorial Drive, E56-390
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
Telephone: 617-253-5194
E-mail: <popi-www@mit.edu>