Meet your expert instructors

Learn from industry leaders with real-world experience and a passion for helping you succeed.
Expert Instructor & Leader of Lab Manager Academy

Scott Hanton, PhD

Scott Hanton is the editorial director at Lab Manager and the leader of the Lab Manager Academy. He spent 30 years working in industrial chemistry labs, with 20 years as a lab manager.

He had roles of general manager, laboratory operations manager and chief scientist for Intertek Allentown. Previously, he had roles of research scientist, laboratory supervisor, and section manager at Air Products & Chemicals.

Through these different roles, Scott developed expertise in polymer mass spectrometry, analytical characterization, people leadership, and business management. He earned a BS in Chemistry from Michigan State University and a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Scott is an active member of ACS, ASMS, and ALMA.
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Expert Instructor 

Tracy Durnan, MBA

Tracy Durnan has more than 30 years of experience as a researcher and administrator in biomedical research. She served for 15 years as Senior Manager of Facilities Operations and Laboratory Support at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she led the onboarding of new research labs and major process improvements across research and hospital operations. In 2017, Tracy received the Sylvester Stars Award, recognizing excellence in research administration.

Over the course of her career, Tracy has led more than a dozen major laboratory renovation projects and is widely recognized for her expertise in disaster preparedness. She has published on the topic in Lab Manager magazine and presented at national conferences.

Prior to Sylvester, Tracy was Research Laboratory Coordinator at MD Anderson Cancer Center and has also held laboratory leadership roles at NASA and the University of Colorado Medical Center.

Tracy holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Colorado State University and an MBA in health sector policy and administration from the University of Miami.
Expert Instructor 

Jonathan Klane, M.S.Ed, CIH, CSP, CHMM, CIT

Jonathan Klane is the instructor of the Lab Safety Management Certificate. Jon possesses 35 years of professional experience in environmental, health, safety, and risk (EHSR).

Jon was safety director for two colleges of engineering with hundreds of labs doing a wide variety of research.

He consulted for many years to private industry, government, non-profits, and higher ed. He also taught EHSR at two colleges and was a management faculty member in an MBA and HR master's program. Jon's master's is in adult education and learning and he is a PhD candidate in Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology at Arizona State University.
Expert Instructor 

Garrett Peterson, MBA

Chief Strategy Officer, Yahara Software
With more than 30 years of leadership in laboratory and scientific IT, Garrett brings operational knowledge and strategic perspective to Yahara. He's trained in computer science with an MBA and has an extensive background in enterprise software development, so he's able to bridge technical architecture and business strategy. Today, Garrett is focused on partnerships and commercial strategy, ensuring Yahara aligns with mission-driven organizations and builds systems that are both profitable and advance science.

Driven by purpose and authenticity, Garrett leads with a strong focus on empowering talented individuals while fostering accountability across his teams. He finds the greatest fulfillment in collaborating with smart, principled professionals to tackle real-world challenges and build systems that create meaningful impact and deliver measurable results.

Garrett holds an MBA from the Wisconsin School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Lakeland University. He is passionate about translating complex technology into practical solutions that empower laboratory professionals.
Expert Instructor 

James Smagala, Ph.D.

Bioinformatics Practice Manager, Yahara Software
James Smagala is a bioinformatician and scientific software leader with deep expertise in analytical chemistry, laboratory automation, and data-driven solution design. He holds a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Colorado Boulder and brings a strong wet-lab background in biochemistry and analytical chemistry to his work.

James specializes in translating the needs of experimental scientists into practical, scalable software applications. His experience spans scientific application development, sequence analysis, database architecture, next-generation sequencing workflows, laboratory process automation, and automated data curation. He has particular interest in biological data modeling, information visualization, and the application of AI-driven technologies to infectious disease research.

At Yahara Software, James helps life sciences organizations modernize their data infrastructure and leverage advanced analytics to improve laboratory performance and scientific insight.
Expert Instructor 

Adam Steinert

Chief Technology Officer, Yahara Software
Adam's unique lens comes from years of experience learning and applying new technologies to new problems—as well as having participated in nearly every aspect of the organization. That background gives him a unique ability to blend perspectives when approaching a challenge. At his core, Adam has an innate drive to help people problem-solve and find efficient, creative solutions to complex software needs.

Adam’s leadership style is collaborative and hands-on—he believes in digging in alongside his team to solve complex challenges together. He thrives on diving deep into technical problems, whether that means writing code, whiteboarding strategy, or working one-on-one with teams to identify the smartest, most effective path forward.
Expert Instructor 

Dan Zuccarello, MBA

Dan Zuccarello currently serves as principal consultant for RBF Consulting Group, LLC located in Hightstown New Jersey. During his 40+ year career in industry, Dan has established and managed pharmaceutical, food, and petrochemical laboratories. Currently he provides consultation services for subject matters such as: computer system validation, elemental impurities, extractables and leachables (EL), ICH stability, expiry dating, product development (R&D), quality management systems, safety, and waste management. He has published and presented several papers on extractables and leachables and elemental impurities. He holds a BA degree from the University of Delaware and an MBA from Rutgers Graduate School of Business–Camden New Jersey.
Our students say it best

Success Stories

This has been wonderful training and development to prepare me for advancement. Scott provided a good outline of steps to take to improve oneself as a manager and leader. And yes, I absolutely got the promotion just two weeks ago! I am now the assistant manager. Thanks Scott and Lab Manager Academy!

Ashley Wolfe

City of Arlington, Texas 
Completing the Lab Safety Management Certificate program aligns seamlessly with my long-term professional goals, as every piece of continuing education adds to my arsenal of tools and expertise essential for excelling in my position. Ultimately, this certification strengthens my ability to serve as a proficient and adept leader in the field of laboratory management.

Shannon C. Nephew, MS, CSM, CCHO

Chemical Hygiene Officer, SUNY Plattsburgh
The day after I completed the program, we had a personnel issue in which I had to include our administrators, advisors, and sports staff. I was able to use my new management skills from the Academy in a real-life situation and come up with an appropriate course of action.

Johnny Farnen

Bellevue University, Texas