Lab Design Conference Speaker Profile: Aimee McKinney
2026 Lab Design Conference speaker—Aimee McKinney, NGS program manager, Nationwide Children's Hospital
Aimee McKinney, NGS program manager at Nationwide Children's Hospital, will be speaking at the 2026 Lab Design Conference in Orlando, FL, alongside colleague Jessica Scholl. Their session, “Move Magic: How to Successfully Execute a Lab Space Transition,” will be held on May 12 from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm.
Aimee and Jessica will explore how strategic planning can help laboratories navigate relocations amid the rapid evolution of medical laboratory science. They will discuss approaches for maximizing current space while planning for future expansion, with a focus on workflows, adjacencies, equipment layout, and regulatory requirements. Using lessons drawn from three real-world lab moves, the presenters will offer practical guidance on collaborating with diverse stakeholders—including scientists, architects, planners, and facilities teams—to anticipate obstacles, align priorities, and create laboratory environments that support safe and efficient operations over the long term.
Lab Design News spoke with Aimee about the growing demands on modern clinical laboratories, practical strategies for planning and executing lab relocations, and the importance of strong collaboration between lab users and design teams. Register now to get your conference ticket!
Q: What makes your Lab Design Conference talk especially relevant to the current trends and challenges in laboratory design?
A: The testing done in our laboratory is genomics. A field that has had extensive growth over the last 20 years or so. As such, we are constantly adjusting our space to accommodate new testing methodology and instrumentation.
Q: How do you see the future of lab design evolving over the next five to 10 years, and how should professionals prepare?
A: As AI usage continues to grow, I would anticipate instrumentation usage to expand. Lab design should include multiple electrical and data port options to support the expanding use of instrumentation.
Q: What’s one lesson from a past project that significantly influenced your approach to lab design?
A: Designing a laboratory with efficiency in mind—minimizing steps from staff when possible
Q: What’s one soft skill you believe every lab design professional should cultivate, and why?
A: The ability to listen to feedback and adjust plans when needed is vital to designing a high functioning laboratory!
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or interests outside of work?
A: When I’m not at work, I enjoy reading, working out, home DIY projects, and hanging out with my four kiddos.
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear directly from Aimee and other lab users as they share their perspectives on what’s needed for successful laboratory design—reserve your spot at the 2026 Lab Design Conference today! Click here to register.
