Billy Heseltine 
Director of Cloud Services – Indica Labs

Where did you first learn about Indica Labs and what led you to join the company in 2018?

I first learned about Indica Labs when searching for a new role towards the end of 2017. I have been in the IT field since 2010 but prior to Indica Labs, my experience was primarily in a manufacturing environment. Despite this, I have always had a keen interest in science and having the opportunity to combine this with my experience in IT is what really attracted me to the position at Indica Labs.

What roles have you held at Indica Labs and what is your current role?

Since I started working at Indica Labs, I’ve had several different roles that have helped me learn a lot. At first, I worked as a Technical Solutions Engineer, where I supported our customers throughout the EMEA and APAC regions and in 2021, I was promoted to Technical Solutions Manager for EMEA.

Then, in 2022, I moved into the role of Technical Product Manager where I was responsible for coordinating efforts between our Engineering teams and Technical Solutions to ensure new developments met the requirements of our customers, from a technical perspective.

In 2023, I moved into my current role of Director of Cloud Services where I am responsible for our newest team, delivering Cloud solutions to our customers as well as other professional services such as integrations.

How have your roles in Technical Solutions prepared you for your current position as Director of Cloud Services?

My journey through various roles at Indica Labs has been instrumental in preparing me for my current position. I gained a comprehensive understanding of our products, customer workflows, and the complexities of deploying Digital Pathology solutions in both on-premise and cloud environments. This technical knowledge, combined with leadership skills gained in my previous roles, put me in a great position to take on the role of Director of Cloud Services.

What types of projects does the Cloud Services team work on and what appeals to you about the challenges that these projects pose?

The Cloud Services team at Indica Labs works on a variety of projects, particularly focusing on deploying Indica Labs software into the cloud. What appeals to me about the challenges these projects pose is the unique combination of technology and specialized knowledge. Our team isn’t just made up of cloud engineers, but also experts in digital pathology. This means we’re not only setting up and supporting cloud infrastructure but also creating solutions tailored specifically to the needs of digital pathology, which is a pretty niche area.

Additionally, we handle other professional services projects such as custom integrations and data migrations. This aspect excites me because it allows our customers to make the most out of their data, whether it’s from Indica Labs software or other third-party systems, and integrate everything into a comprehensive Digital Pathology platform. The opportunity to work on projects that bridge different systems and technologies, ultimately contributing to advancements in healthcare, is what really motivates me.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

The part of my role I enjoy the most is having the ability to work with cutting-edge technology such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence, allowing me to constantly learn and grow my expertise within the field. I find great satisfaction in staying ahead of the curve and exploring innovative solutions that push the boundaries of what’s possible in these areas. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see how our efforts positively impact our customers, which ultimately translates to the improvement in patient care resulting from their research efforts.

How do you spend your time outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with friends and family, as well as taking care of my dog named Taff. My wife and I enjoy exploring the outdoors with Taff and watching him enjoy his surroundings. I also have a passion for exploring new destinations through traveling.