Demo

ASK A VLM

Everyday lab questions, answered by the people who solve them.

Science Exchange's Virtual Lab Managers are lab operations experts who work alongside biotech teams every day, sourcing supplies, vetting vendors, and sorting out the problems that slow a lab down.

Here, they answer the questions they hear most. Each answer is a short video with a recap to read or share.

Learn more about our Virtual Lab Manager™ Solution

THE library

Your questions, our answers

Question 1

When should I negotiate pricing?

Learn when to negotiate vendor pricing on lab equipment, bulk orders, and repeat purchases, and why urgent orders call for a completely different approach.

QUESTION 2

How can we save more and get better pricing to fit our budget?

Simple procurement cost savings tactics for lab and R&D teams: bundle orders, build vendor relationships, and always ask for a first-time discount or trial.

Question 3

How Many Suppliers Is Too Many?

Most labs start with a big distributor—then spend weeks chasing delayed orders. Learn why direct vendor accounts save time and unlock better lab pricing.

MEET THE VLMS

The people behind the answers

Answers from Science Exchange's team of Virtual Lab Managers.

valerie-scott
Valerie Scott, PhD

Virtual Lab Manager

I earned my doctorate in chemical biology from the University of Pittsburgh and now support biotech labs across the full spectrum — from early discovery and development to cell therapy, bioprocess design, and manufacturing. I love tracking down exactly what your lab needs, weighing availability and pricing, so you can stay focused on the science.

LOVES HELPING WITH

Sourcing, availability & pricing

OFF THE CLOCK

Exploring the outdoors, cooking, or unwinding at home with my husband and our cat, Bud

elizabeth-paris
Elizabeth Paris, PhD

Virtual Lab Manager

I joined Science Exchange after my graduate studies at Rush University in Chicago, IL. My research focused on the detection of early-stage ovarian cancer but now I get to help labs across various disciplines.

LOVES HELPING WITH

Bulk orders, standing shipments & asset/equipment management

OFF THE CLOCK

Walking along Lake Michigan or a night in with a cozy craft or good book

ian-street
Ian Street, PhD

Senior Virtual Lab Manager

My background is in plant developmental biology. Before SE, I was a postdoc at Dartmouth and before that, a PhD student at Washington University in St. Louis. I support teams at small biotech companies in cell therapy, small molecule, and biomonitoring spaces.

LOVES HELPING WITH

Formatting purchase orders & requesting quotes

OFF THE CLOCK

Running the 606 rail-trail in Chicago & reading good non-fiction

ASK A VLM

Have a lab operations question?

Send it our way. We read every question, and the ones that come up most become future answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ask a VLM?
Ask a VLM is a Science Exchange video series where Virtual Lab Managers answer the lab operations questions they hear most from biotech teams. Each answer is a short video with a written recap you can read or share.
What is a Virtual Lab Manager?
A Virtual Lab Manager (VLM) is a Science Exchange lab operations expert who works alongside biotech teams to source supplies, vet vendors, and solve the problems that slow a lab down. Science Exchange’s VLMs hold PhDs in fields including chemical biology and plant developmental biology.
When should a lab negotiate pricing with vendors?
Labs get the most negotiating leverage on lab equipment, bulk orders, and repeat purchases. Urgent orders call for a different approach, because time pressure weakens your position on price.
How can a lab or R&D team save money on supplies?
Three tactics consistently lower lab procurement costs: bundle orders, build ongoing relationships with vendors, and ask for a first-time discount or trial before committing.
How many suppliers should a lab use?
Many labs start with one large distributor and then lose weeks chasing delayed orders. Setting up direct accounts with key vendors often saves time and unlocks better pricing than routing everything through a single distributor.
Can I submit my own question to Ask a VLM?
Yes. Use the “Ask a Question” option on the Ask a VLM page, and Science Exchange’s Virtual Lab Managers may answer it in a future episode.
How do I get ongoing support from a Virtual Lab Manager?
Science Exchange’s Virtual Lab Manager™ solution gives biotech teams dedicated procurement support so scientists can focus on the science. Visit the Virtual Lab Manager page to learn how it works.