Written by Joanna Wirkus, PhD
Every day at CGT Global, our experienced team collaborates to deliver high quality cells to scientists around the world. Success starts with the strength of our team and the dedication of the people who power it.
In this edition of Meet the Scientific Team, we’re proud to spotlight Bryan Pulling — the brains behind the bench.
Today, Bryan — CGT Global’s Laboratory Operations Manager in Folsom, California — shares his background and his inspiration for his work.
Read this article on our website blog and learn more about CGT Global.
Bryan Pulling – Laboratory Operations Manager
Bryan Pulling has been with CGT Global for over nine years. He holds a degree in Biology with an emphasis in Physiology from California State University, Long Beach. During summer breaks in college, he donated cells at CGT Global’s Folsom, CA stem cell collection center. After graduating, he joined CGT Global as a Laboratory Technician.
Wearing many different hats, Bryan expanded his knowledge beyond the lab into the collection clinics which led him to be well versed in day-to-day operations across the stem cell collection continuum.
With his expertise in clinical procedures and laboratory protocols, he played a pivotal role in opening a new stem cell collection center in Boston, MA, serving as the Site Manager. Several years later, his passion for lab work led him to the role of Laboratory Operations Manager.
In 2020, Bryan returned to Folsom to lead the COVID testing program. During this period, he implemented an Electronic Health Record system, enabling patients to quickly access their test results. After community COVID testing needs declined, he’s continued as the Laboratory Operations Manager, overseeing all CGT Global laboratories.
Outside the lab, he enjoys hiking in the mountains, fishing in lakes and streams, and training for his next big run.
Add Bryan on LinkedIn – he welcomes new connections in the research community!
What sparked your interest in cell biology?
My interest in cell biology began because I wanted to become a doctor and help people. I’ve always been fascinated by cells and understanding the causes and treatments of different cancers.
Working in cell biology and helping researchers get the materials they need to develop gene therapies and treatments allows me to support the development of new treatments and cures for cancer and other diseases that impact people on a daily basis.
In this field, which is foundational to finding new treatments, I get to help as many people as possible.
What does your typical day in the lab look like?
First, I turn on all the equipment and ensure daily maintenance is completed.
Based on the incoming biospecimens and outgoing cells and samples scheduled for the day, I assign different isolations and tasks to our lab technicians.
If needed, I’ll step in and help our technicians.
I’m responsible for all outgoing shipments and make sure everything is on time, so researchers get the cells they need when they need them.
What do you enjoy most about working with stem cells?
I enjoy the unpredictability of the samples we receive due to donor-to-donor variation.
Some samples, umbilical cord blood for example, can be challenging to process. For example, sometimes the theoretical yield for a certain cell type is different from the actual yield.
I enjoy thinking outside of the box to avoid steps that would lead to cell loss and aim for the highest purity and viability of the end product.
I find the unpredictability of the samples and the different products that we’re making in the lab on a day-to-day basis fun!
What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of the job is finding time for everything, especially because I manage projects across all laboratories that CGT Global has in the US.
Between custom protocols needing to be followed by the teams, to training, to managing the global shipment of goods, to also traveling from site to site, we like to keep busy!
This means that the days can be long at times, but I always find time to go on my runs in the afternoon or take time to recharge!
It is a lot of fun to have a lot of different projects in the lab — it keeps things interesting!
What are you currently excited about in the field of cell and gene therapy?
I am excited about the expansion and the takeoff of CAR-T therapies.
More researchers are making CAR-T therapies, and they are becoming FDA-approved treatments.
It seems most of them will be personalized medicines that will help make people a lot healthier by helping people fight cancer and other diseases.
What advice do you have for aspiring scientists?
Follow through with your passions. It’s going to be difficult—school, training, and everything it takes to be a scientist.
In the long run, it’s worth it. Keep pushing through and following what you’re interested in in science.
Science is growing at a rapid pace currently, and there’s always going to be room for more growth.
I’d advise aspiring scientists to follow through with their passions in science, whatever they may be.
Bryan’s journey from donor to Laboratory Operations Manager shows what’s possible when passion meets purpose. His dedication to delivering high-quality cells to researchers worldwide directly contributes to the development of life-saving treatments and therapies at scale. At CGT Global, we’re proud to have team members who are truly dedicated to advancing science to improve human health.
On a mission to transform the life science and medical industries, CGT Global has been supporting biotech, pharma, and academic scientists developing next-generation therapeutics through biospecimen procurement and primary cell isolation for 15 years.
If you’re looking for primary stem cells for your next research project, connect with us on our website CGT.global and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on our latest product releases, research insights, and industry news.
