For the mirror universe counterpart, please see R. Lai (mirror).
R. Lai was a Starfleet officer in the 23rd century.
Lai was listed as a Tactical Ops officer on the dedication plaque of the USS Discovery. (DIS: "Context Is for Kings", dedication plaque)
Lai was a member of the Science Ops team listed on the dedication plaque of the USS Enterprise. (DIS: "Such Sweet Sorrow")
This character was only mentioned in writing.
This officer was named after conceptual prop designs/concept illustrator Ray Lai.