Welcome to the inaugural issue of our Medical Laboratory Sciences newsletter. We’re excited to launch this new way of keeping you informed and inspired by the incredible work happening here at VCU.

In these stories, you’ll meet students, educators, alumni and researchers who embody the mission of our program: advancing health care through laboratory science. From pioneering research to develop a diagnostic test for a rare and deadly brain infection to a spring break trip that took lessons beyond the classroom, these articles come together to showcase the depth and impact of our field.
We’re especially proud to highlight some of our newest efforts to grow the profession, including the launch of our Transfusion Services Summer Scholars program and first graduate of our public health laboratory sciences concentration. Beyond serving as milestones, these initiatives underpin our broader commitment to address a national shortage of laboratory professionals. Each day, we’re striving to build awareness, opportunity and pathways into this amazing field.

You’ll also get to meet from two alums who recently returned to our department for key roles: Rhonda Chapman serves as our clinical coordinator, and Colin Thibodeau is helping to manage the very labs where he once trained. Their journeys reflect the strong sense of purpose and community that keeps people connected to our department and university.

We hope this newsletter gives you a deeper look into the people and projects that make our department thrive. As we move forward, we’ll continue sharing the great things happening here, and we invite you to stay engaged and support our mission. Whether you’re an alum, a partner or simply someone who believes in the power of science to improve lives, your support makes a difference.

Thank you for being part of our story.

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