Wali Malik is a specialist in lab robotics, high throughput science, and informatics focused on building integrated and autonomous platforms to fundamentally transform biomedical science. As the Head of AI Driven Lab Robotics at AITHYRA, Wali is leading the development of the institute’s robotics infrastructure, a critical component of its mission. His group is dedicated to creating the high-throughput, automated experimental systems necessary to generate the vast, high-quality datasets that power AITHYRA’s vision of closed loop science. This work will directly enable the physical and digital integration of AI across biological scales—from experimental design to therapeutic innovation.

With 17 years of experience driving strategic lab automation, high throughput screening, and data solutions in biotech and pharma, Wali Malik has a proven track record of building and scaling scientific experimentation. Most recently, as Partner at InvolveData, he led the lab automation practice, transforming labs for AI/ML readiness and deploying closed loop NGS and cell therapy platforms. As Senior Director of Lab Automation at Tessera Therapeutics, he managed oversaw the deployment of digitally integrated automated platforms for every step of the ‘’Gene Writing’ screening process, from genomic foundries, to high throughput screening, NGS sequencing, and processs development/analytics. Earlier, as Director of Automation at Sana Biotechnology, Wali established automation strategies across multiple sites and implementing integrated platforms for cell therapy and genomics. His extensive career also includes significant contributions at GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Co. And AstraZeneca, where he developed novel biologics, vaccine, and small molecule high throughput screening capabilities to drive scale, innovation, and cost savings.

Wali Malik holds an MS in Molecular Targets of Diseases and High Throughput Drug Discovery from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Cell Biology and Genetics from the University of Maryland, College Park.  His experience interfaces high throughput science, lab automation, digital, and strategic capability build outs. 

The research group of Wali Malik is dedicated to fundamentally transforming biomedical science by building and deploying a fully autonomous, AI-driven laboratory ecosystem. This encompasses the strategic buildout of advanced robotics and lab automation infrastructure, the collaborative development of scalable high-throughput scientific workflows, and the seamless integration of intelligent digital platforms with AI Agents. The core mission is to empower AITHYRA's scientists to accelerate discovery, generate unprecedented data volumes, and answer complex biological questions previously intractable due to technological limitations, scale, or robustness with closed roop robotic experimentation.

Robotics and Automation Infrastructure
This pillar focuses on establishing a robust, adaptable robotic infrastructure crucial for high-throughput scientific execution. We will deploy cutting-edge lab automation technologies, including liquid handlers, advanced analytical instruments, and versatile robotic arms, to create walk-up and fully integrated platforms for flexible experimental design. Leveraging extensive expertise in building modular automation platforms for diverse applications like oligo synthesis and optimization, ML driven small molecule screening, cell and gene therapy, and CMC process development, the lab will prioritize modularity and scalability. Furthermore, we will pioneer the development of novel robotic hardware solutions specifically tailored to overcome current scientific bottlenecks, including the integration of innovative mobile robots for flexible instrument access, custom interfaces to complex instrumentation, and the utilization computer vision for autonomous lab execution. 

Scalable High-Throughput Science Experimentation
Central to our work is a deep collaboration with AITHYRA's principal investigators to design and implement highly flexible and robustly scalable high-throughput workflows. Drawing upon extensive experience in spearheading high-throughput screening campaigns across vaccine, biologics, and cell/gene therapy, as well as in developing advanced analytical technologies, we specialize in translating complex biological questions into efficient, automated, and miniaturized experimental formats. This capability will enable scientists to tackle problems previously hindered by limitations in manual effort, required scale, or consistency. The resulting high-quality data will be crucial for training AI/ML models and Agents. Our efforts encompass but are not limited to automating next generation small molecule screening, cell-based screening and imaging workflows, developing integrated analytical platforms, proteomics, and building out advanced cell culture capabilities.

Intelligent Digital Integration and AI Agents
This pillar focuses on creating the comprehensive digital backbone that will evolve our automated laboratories into intelligent, closed-loop discovery engines. Our strategy involves deploying AI Agents designed to automate scientific workflows from end-to-end. These agents will generate 'Lab as Code' directly from SOPs, ensuring autonomous execution, while simultaneously providing real-time workflow monitoring and stringent quality control by integrating data from all lab assets, including cameras, IoT devices, and instruments.  These agents will orchestrate complex experiments, analyze incoming results, and iteratively propose subsequent research directions, all seamlessly integrated with ELN, LIMS, and inventory management systems. Furthermore, through close collaboration with AITHYRA's Scientific Computing team, we will develop and integrate software and informatics tools—encompassing schedulers, lab orchestrators, and advanced data extraction, visualization, and process monitoring capabilities—to effectively manage vast datasets, unlock critical insights, and ultimately power the adaptive, closed-loop scientific paradigm necessary for pioneering therapeutic innovation.