Our Team
Thomas Robinson, M.D.
Medical Director
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
Business Services Principal Professional
Alexandra Hay served as the CSI Lab Manager for the University of Colorado’s Center for Surgical Innovation for several years before stepping into the Business Services Principal Professional. 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.
Brian Neal
Lab Manager
Brian Neal is the CSI Lab Manager for the University of Colorado’s Center for Surgical Innovation. He has a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of North Texas. Prior to working for CSI, Brian was a chemist for 13 years, culminating in running an analytical instrumentation department at a major wastewater treatment plant in Texas.
Julie LeBlanc, CST
Lab Coordinator, III
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.
Emily Smith
Lab Coordinator, II
Emily Smith is a Lab Coordinator for the University of Colorado’s Center for Surgical Innovation. She received her bachelor's degree in neuroscience from CWRU and her master's degree in Modern Human Anatomy from CU Anschutz. She earned her Eagle Scout in 2020 and supports yearly leadership trainings for young adults across the country.
Nino Lane
Lab Tech, III
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.
Alex Suarez
Lab Tech, III
Alex Suarez is a Lab Tech for the University of Colorado's Center for Surgical Innovation. Alex received his bachelor’s degree in Integrated Human Biology from Bastyr University and his master’s degree in Modern Human Anatomy from CU Anschutz. Prior to joining the team, he worked in a pathology lab as a grossing technician and taught gross anatomy lab courses on the Anschutz campus.