Our Team
Thomas Robinson, M.D.
Medical Director
Thomas.Robinson@cuanschutz.edu
Thomas N. Robinson, M.D., is the Medical Director of the University of Colorado’s Center for Surgical Innovation. Dr. Robinson received his B.S. from Stanford University and his M.D. from Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed his general surgery training at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and subsequently completed a minimally invasive surgery fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Robinson joined the faculty at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in 2003 and began leading the multi-disciplinary surgical training center initiative on the University of Colorado’s Health Sciences campus in the Fall of 2003.
Sarah Massena, M.B.A.
Executive Director
Sarah Massena, MBA is the Business Director of the University of Colorado's Center for Surgical Innovation. Sarah is a native of Colorado, went to Colorado College and shortly after received her MBA. Sarah started CSI in 2007 and has helped CSI grow from a 1000 square foot lab to over 8000 square feet, in the new Bioscience 3 facility. When Sarah started in 2007, the CSI team consisted of Dr. Robinson and her and now there are 7 employees.
Alexandra Hay, B.S.
Lab Manager
Alexandra Hay is the CSI Lab Manager for the University of Colorado’s Center for Surgical Innovation. She received a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences at Florida Atlantic University in Florida. She has been working in the bioskills industry since 2016.
Julie LeBlanc, CST
Lab Coordinator, I
Julie LeBlanc is a Lab Coordinator for the University of Colorado’s Center for Surgical Innovation. A Purdue University graduate, she has been in the operating room or instructing as a surgical technologist for 24 years. Julie is also active with NBSTSA, the certifying body for surgical technologist. Recently she was awarded her fellowship by the Association of Surgical Technologist. Julie joined the CSI team in 2021.
Sophia Gordon
Lab Coordinator, I
Sophia.I.Gordon@CUANSCHUTZ.EDU
Sophia Gordon is a Lab Coordinator for the University of
Colorado’s Center for Surgical Innovation. She graduated from the University of
Colorado, Boulder where she received her bachelors in ecology and evolutionary
biology as well as a double minor in anthropology and political science. Before
joining the CSI laboratory, Sophia spent time working in the CU Boulder labs
and as a member of the Wardenburg student health board.
Jesse Burris
Lab Tech, II
Jesse Burris is a Lab Tech for the University of Colorado’s Center for Surgical Innovation. Jesse is a native of Colorado. Before coming to work for the Center for Surgical Innovation, he spent two years as a procurement director at a Medical Research and Education tissue bank. He also has over four years of IT experience working for the NFL and the Denver Broncos. Jesse became part of the CSI team in 2016.
Nino Lane
Lab Tech, I
Nino Lane is a Lab Tech for the University of Colorado's Center for Surgical Innovation. Nino is a graduate from Colorado State University, receiving a bachelors in Biology. He brings 3 years of experience working in Pathology labs and their hospital affiliates in the metro area and Northern Colorado. Before joining CSI, he spent a year working with patients at UCHealth.