Excellence in medical laboratory science takes many forms. In this issue, you’ll see how it shows up in discovery, teaching, mentorship, access and impact.

From faculty-led research that is reshaping how we understand heart disease to statewide recognition of outstanding teaching in Southwest Virginia, these stories reflect a department committed to advancing science while never losing sight of students and patients.

You’ll also see how excellence is built collectively. Programs like the Transfusion Services Summer Scholars and the statewide MLS Spring Symposium create meaningful bridges – between classroom and clinic, student and professional, curiosity and career. Our alumni and students remind us that pathways matter: whether it’s a rural student advancing to global infectious disease research, a peer tutor strengthening community and persistence, or new scholarships removing financial barriers so talent can thrive where it’s needed most.

Together, these stories highlight what we strive for every day in the Medical Laboratory Sciences Department: rigorous education, inclusive opportunity and real-world impact. Thank you for being part of a community that continues to define – and redefine – excellence in medical laboratory science.

Melissa Jamerson, Ph.D., Chair
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences