Meet Our Team
Brian Madrigal
Lead, Program Specialist
Brian Madrigal is a lead program specialist at LabCentral LabCentral Ignite. Previously, Brian has been involved in the tech community through an organization called Resilient Coders - a program that trains young people for tech careers. He has completed a Web Design Bootcamp, held positions as a UX design intern and apprentice, and has lived in Los Angeles while working at Bird as an operations specialist. His background exemplifies his passion for applied learning and innovation, which is why he naturally gravitated toward LabCentral. During his free time, Brian plays soccer and produces short films. In the future, Brian wants to build a startup.
Favorite school science project: “I tested which environment a seed sprouts the fastest. I planted the same type of seeds in soil, a water container, and a humid sponge then added the necessary nutrients to all environments and the seeds that sprouted the fastest were in a humid sponge.”
Sara Murji
Associate Manager, Ignite
Sara Murji is an Associate Manager on the Ignite team at LabCentral, which is working to address systemic racial and gender underrepresentation in the life sciences. Sara coordinates Ignite events and manages all Ignite communications, including social media, website content, and newsletters. She also leads and assists with project management to support Ignite’s programmatic work, like the Ignite Golden Tickets & Fellowship, DEI Leadership Training, and Career Forge.
Prior to joining the team at LabCentral, Sara worked in public education advocacy as the Communications & Public Affairs Director for the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents in Nashville, TN. She studied Human & Organizational Development and Child Studies at Vanderbilt University.
In her free time, Sara loves trying new restaurants with her husband, listening to podcasts, and snuggling her cat, Nori.
Favorite school science project: I may be shunned for saying this at LabCentral, but science was never my favorite subject. I always loved science projects that allowed me to be crafty and creative, like building and painting a solar system model made of Styrofoam balls, a cardboard box, fishing wire, and aluminum foil
Kiara Osiris
Assistant, Marketing & Content
Rachele Ryan
Senior Director, Partnerships, Programming, & Community
Rachele Ryan is the Director of Partnerships at LabCentral. In this role, she is responsible for business development strategy, resident growth and development, and leading entrepreneurship programming for LabCentral Ignite.
Prior to joining LabCentral, Rachele led the MassCONNECT mentoring program at MassBio, the Massachusetts biopharma industry association. In that role, she matched life sciences entrepreneurs and founders with seasoned life sciences professionals to catalyze and commercialize innovation. Previously, as part of the International Business Development team at the Consulate General of Canada in Boston, she assisted Canadian companies with their expansion efforts into New England and supported fast-growing startups participating in the Canadian Technology Accelerator in Boston (CTA@Boston).
She holds a BA from the College of the Holy Cross and an MA from Middlebury College.
Favorite science project: Anything marine biology! I grew up on the Long Island Sound, and we were fortunate to have many field trips that took us exploring all things on or near the Sound – from measuring the salinity of the water to studying horseshoe crabs and tide pools.
Julia Wardwell
Associate Program Manager
Julia Wardwell is an Associate Program Manager on the lgnite team at LabCentral. In her role, she oversees and manages the What the Heck is Biotech? workshops as well as programs that assist early-stage biotech startups.
Before joining the Ignite team, Julia worked for organizations throughout Boston that focused on giving back to communities in various ways and providing opportunities to underrepresented groups. She received her undergraduate degree from Middlebury College where she studied Neuroscience and Global Health.
When she’s not at work, you’ll find Julia in the hockey rink, trying new restaurants and/or recipes, and enjoying time with family and friends.
Favorite Science Experiment: In middle school, I did an experiment to see if dogs had dirtier mouths than humans. After swabbing the mouths of my two dogs’ and my family members’, let’s just say the results were shocking and the dirtiest mouth shall remain nameless.
Na'Shantéa Miller
Associate Program Manager, Ignite
Na'Shantéa Miller is an Associate Program Manager on the lgnite team at LabCentral. In her role, she manages our workforce development initiatives, such as our Career Forge and Summer Internship programs.
Through various work experiences in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, Na’Shantéa has developed an interest in workforce development, corporate responsibility and mentoring. Before joining the Ignite team, Na'Shantéa worked at Year Up, which focuses on moving young adults from minimum wage to entry-level roles in Fortune 500 companies.
Na'Shantéa received her undergraduate degree from University of Ottawa where she studied Political Science and Economics the French Immersion program. She also received a Master of Public Policy with a specialization in business and government from Harvard University.
Outside of work, Na'Shantéa likes to spend quality time with family and friends. This could include playing board games, watching moves, going for "walk and talks" and more. She also loves the color purple and being cozy (hence her picture on the website ).
Favorite Science experiment: My favorite science experiments are the ones that I do with my younger siblings at home. There are so many to choose from, but if I had to pick my favorite, it would be making slime because they never get tired of that.