#38 - Fluent in the Field: How One Neuroscientist Traded Brain Slices for Robots

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Helical Brew

Sura Hadi | Mike Ouren | Elizabeth Rodziewicz

47 episodes

6 days ago

Just like the DNA of Life from which the phrase, the DNA of Technology originated, the helical construct is a rollercoaster of endless learning, experimentation, and discovery. The Helical Brew Crew is here to take you along for the ride in a fun, relaxed and informative podcast that explores the twists and turns of technology. We are an enthusiastic group of engineering, scientific, and business professionals that share a passion for the development, mastery, and deployment of technology.

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#38 - Fluent in the Field: How One Neuroscientist Traded Brain Slices for Robots

Helical Brew

59 minutes 16 seconds

3 months ago

#38 - Fluent in the Field: How One Neuroscientist Traded Brain Slices for Robots

🎙️ Guest: Kate Halter, PhD – Field Sales Engineer at Tecan

🎧 Hosts: Mike Ouren, Sura Hadi & Elizabeth Rodziewicz

📺 Series: Automation in the Wild – Helical Brew

Lab automation doesn’t sell itself.

In this episode of Automation in the Wild, Kate Halter, PhD, joins us to talk about what really happens after the install. From neuroscience labs to field sales, Kate shares what it takes to build trust, train teams, and make robots actually stick.

You’ll hear about flooded benches, protocol packet struggles, and why listening - not pitching- is the real superpower in automation.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

Why trust matters more than tech specs during installs
The biggest mistakes labs make before automation arrives
How customer empathy shapes system adoption
The hidden value of having a PhD in field sales
What it takes to guide automation-curious scientists
Lessons from the wild: cafeterias, elevator shafts, and no-shows

🎧 Subscribe for new episodes weekly → / @helicalbrew

📩 Want to be a guest? Email us: helicalbrew@gmail.com

📍 TikTok, Shorts & more: @helicalbrew

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Cold Open: Jobsian Vibes & Coffee Talk

01:36 – Meet Kate: From Neuroscience to Lab Automation

03:52 – Brain Slices at Dawn: Life Before Robots

07:04 – The San Diego Shift: Career Pivot to Sales

10:03 – Why Automation Success Feels So Good

13:07 – Common Lab Mistakes (Like Power Outlets!)

17:51 – Trust, Empathy & Winning Over Scientists

21:11 – Field Fixes & MacGyver Moments

24:17 – Staying Ahead: Weekly Trainings & Tech Updates

26:04 – Guiding Clients from Small Wins to Big Solutions

29:04 – The Power of Relationships (and Baked Goods)

32:28 – Creating Superuser Labs That Thrive

34:13 – Flexible Software & Python in the Lab

43:02 – Owning the Sales Role & Letting Go of Imposter Syndrome

🎯 Picks of the Week

🎧 Kate’s PickShokz Bone-Conduction Headphones

“My go-to for field installs, running between client sites, or hopping on Zooms. Super light, stays off the ears, and lets me stay alert on the road.”

🎤 Mike’s Pick

T-shirts for the crew from Helix Brewing in San Diego, CA

"Puff, Puff, Pale" from the brewery that comes up often on Helical Brew

🔗 Guest Links

🧪 Tecan Fluent Platform → https://www.tecan.com/fluent

💼 Kate Halter on LinkedIn → / katehalter

📌 SHORTS (Catch up on viral clips from this episode!)

▶️ • Science as Piano?

🎹 The Arias of Automatio...

▶️ • Mind-Meld with Machines? 🧠🤖 Automation Con...

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