Her Story
About Isabelle
Isabelle Okuda is Head of Labs and Executive Director at Atinary Technologies, where she leads innovative work at the intersection of biotechnology, pharmaceutical chemistry, laboratory automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. With approximately 30 years of experience, she has progressed from traditional manual experimentation to advanced, data-driven automation and now works with leading scientists, engineers, and technology partners to accelerate scientific research and development. Her leadership is focused on applying emerging technologies to complex scientific challenges while improving the efficiency, quality, and impact of research.
A key focus of Isabelle’s current work is building Boston’s first autonomous, self-driving laboratory in collaboration with Atinary Technologies, ABB Robotics, Agilent, Mettler Toledo, and Bruker. The facility integrates two robotic arms, continuous experimental design powered by Bayesian optimization, and specialized Self-Driving Lab software to conduct experiments and generate high-quality, vetted data. By combining automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and scientific expertise, the laboratory aims to accelerate the path from research and discovery to FDA submission and, ultimately, to getting medicines to patients more efficiently. Throughout her career, Isabelle has also held leadership positions in analytical development, analytical services, chemistry, compound management, and laboratory informatics across the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare sectors.
Isabelle holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto, a master’s degree from the University of Western Ontario, and an MBA, and she is currently pursuing additional studies in clinical trials management. She maintains active membership in the American Chemical Society and continues to advance her expertise at the intersection of science, technology, and innovation. Isabelle attributes her professional success to integrity, collaborative problem solving, curiosity, and a commitment to improving outcomes for patients. She is also passionate about serving as a role model for the next generation of scientists by encouraging them to be fearless, ask questions, embrace innovation, and pursue meaningful challenges with confidence. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys traveling, music, spending time with family, and dining out.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Isabelle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my drive, determination, and commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of my patients. They are a constant source of motivation and remind me of the importance of approaching my work with compassion, excellence, and purpose. I am also deeply motivated by my desire to be a positive example for my daughter, showing her through my actions that with confidence, perseverance, and courage, she can pursue anything she sets her mind to and never be afraid to embrace new opportunities.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to be fearless while also recognizing and understanding what I truly know and where I may need additional expertise. I’ve learned the importance of clearly defining a problem before trying to solve it and bringing together the right people with diverse perspectives to collaborate on the best solution. One example that has stayed with me is a CEO who brought employees from all shifts and departments together over Thai food to work collectively on a customer issue, demonstrating that great solutions often come from creating an environment where people can openly share ideas and work toward a common goal.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to be fearless, speak up, and never be afraid to ask questions. Take the time to understand not only your own role but also how different functions, teams, and decisions are connected across the organization. Seek to understand other perspectives by putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, as empathy and curiosity can provide valuable insight. Most importantly, stay confident, remain open to learning, and recognize that asking thoughtful questions is a strength, not a weakness.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now is effective change management, particularly as organizations adopt new technologies such as AI and automation. It is essential to involve scientists and other team members from the bottom up so they understand the value of these tools and feel empowered to contribute to the transformation, rather than having change imposed from the top down. At the same time, organizations must ensure that data is accurate, well-vetted, and used effectively to support informed decision-making. When technology, people, and high-quality data come together, we have an opportunity to accelerate innovation and help bring medicines to patients more efficiently.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and honesty are the values I hold most strongly in both my professional and personal life, particularly in the field of science, where trust, accuracy, and transparency are essential. I also place great importance on fairness, understanding, and forgiveness, recognizing that everyone brings different experiences and perspectives to the table. I believe that involving more people, listening to different viewpoints, and seeking a deeper understanding of an issue leads to stronger collaboration and better solutions. Ultimately, I strive to approach both my work and relationships with honesty, empathy, openness, and respect.
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