October 08, 2025
Written by: Joanna Wirkus, PhD
At CGT Global, advancing scientific discoveries worldwide by delivering high-quality biospecimens starts with providing exceptional service to our clients.
Today, we’re highlighting how this happens by speaking with Vanessa Murillo, a core member and leader of CGT Global’s Client Scientific Associate team.
Vanessa is a Client Scientific Associate Supervisor based in Reno, Nevada. Her and her team are dedicated to the success of CGT Global’s scientific partners and collaborators.
Vanessa attended the University of Nevada, Reno , Reno and holds a degree in biology with a minor in biochemistry and Spanish.
Add Vanessa on LinkedIn. She is looking forward to connecting with the research community!
What does a typical workday look like for you?
As team lead, I support the associates however I can while continuing to work directly with scientists. I’m fortunate to partner with some amazing clients and enjoy helping them advance their research.
Our associates are deeply involved from the very beginning. We start by understanding how we can best support our clients in their cell and gene therapy research, then determine how our products can be used to meet their needs. From there, we collaborate closely with our internal and operations teams, ensuring clear communication and smooth execution.
From the first conversation to the final shipment, the team manages every detail, from handling logistics, coordinating across departments, and making sure every shipment arrives seamlessly for our clients.
What’s your superpower when it comes to leading your team?
One of my superpowers is being a great listener. You can learn so much by really listening. By hearing the challenges scientists face, I gain insight into what they need to succeed with their projects. When I understand where the bottlenecks are, I can help provide new solutions that better support them.
What do you find most rewarding about your day-to-day work?
Hearing our team’s success stories is the best part of my day. Whenever a client shares their appreciation, it is rewarding to know that the team’s hard work and close collaboration with operations paid off. Knowing the delivery went smoothly and the client is happy is something I always look forward to.
Can you share a time when your team faced a challenge and turned it into a win with a customer?
A team we worked with needed full Leukopaks from the Boston Collection Center, delivered at a very specific time. Meeting that request required carefully coordinated logistics. By collaborating internally and assessing our donor pool, we were able to schedule the donors for leukapheresis and deliver the Leukopaks on time to meet the client’s needs.
What are you excited about for the future of cell and gene therapy?
I think we are only beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible in cell and gene therapy. As research and development advances and manufacturing scales, we will be able to help many more patients who need these therapies.
I always look forward to hearing stories of patients who have been successfully treated with cell and gene therapy.
What are you looking forward to the most at the CAR-TCR conference?
I’m really excited to attend, learn about the future of cell and gene therapy, and see how we play a role in it.
I’m also looking forward to meeting people at the conference and hearing about their research.
Plus, it will be my first time in Boston!
At the heart of CGT Global’s success is a simple truth: people helping people. Vanessa’s passion for supporting her team and partnering with scientists shines through in the way she helps move every project forward, advancing tomorrow’s therapies today. By building a collaborative team all driven towards a goal of making life-changing treatments more accessible, CGT Global’s work is always guided by putting patients first.
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 cells or Leukopaks 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.
