Rich S.T. Gilliam is an international award-winning author, mentor, automation engineer, and accomplished process improvement professional. He is a vibrant individual with a charismatic persona that helps him captivate and inspire everyone around him. Rich's credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Saint Augustine University and multiple publications in scientific journals. He is a solution-oriented professional with an entrepreneurial mindset, a sharp eye for detail, and exceptional communication skills. He has a knack for problem-solving, whether people or business-focused. Put him at the center of the challenge, and he will find you the best possible solution. In a professional journey expanding over a decade, Rich has experienced a multitude of perspectives in a variety of complementary career roles that give him a unique multi-disciplinary vision. He has acquired extensive experience and expertise in lab automation, Lean Six Sigma, project management, NGS, neuroscience, and data analytics, with an elevated level of technical and commercial awareness. Currently, Rich is leveraging his automation expertise to GRAIL as an automation engineer in R&D. He is a resourceful and results-driven leader, passionate about deriving outcomes backed by research. His love for details is evident, given his considerable experience in data analytics & automation. This duality of skills enables him to formulate innovative solutions, lead teams, and extract practical insights by identifying hidden trends and patterns while improving products and processes. He is obsessed with fine-tuning and tweaking minor details to successfully bring the big picture to fruition. Rich is a resilient individual passionate about diversifying Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) landscape, aiming to stay at the forefront of innovation. His commitment to advancing STEM education, igniting an entrepreneurial spirit, and building brains beyond books inspired him to create STEM PLUG. As a mentor, he is committed to devoting his time, energy, and talents to helping young people in building confidence and self-assurance to pursue their dreams and overcome the obstacles that stand in their way by providing outreach, resources, and assistance.