What initially drew you to laboratory medicine?
My dad was science-oriented and taught us a lot, so I felt a pull to work in science. I always wanted to be a veterinarian, but somehow I changed course. Now, I have a PhD with training in endocrinology and reproductive physiology, and I later transitioned into laboratory medicine. I’ve got no regrets – it’s been a great career. However, I still feel a pull toward animal science, so maybe I'll return to it when I retire!
What have been your career highlights?
As I reflect on my career, there are three things I am particularly proud of. First, my research in women’s health and maternal-fetal medicine. My main focus has been on hCG, the marker of pregnancy, and I’m proud of how our work has changed how and who we test.
Second, mentoring young laboratorians – particularly women. When I began training in this department, there were no female faculty members. We eventually welcomed our first woman faculty member and, over time, our faculty has grown. It’s been incredibly rewarding to support the next generation.
Third, for the past two and a half years, I have been the division chief within the Department of Pathology, overseeing the Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine as well as serving as the CLIA medical director for all our pathology services. As a female PhD, I am proud of this role, which has also allowed me to continue mentoring the talented individuals we’ve recruited to our department.
I feel very fortunate that these major highlights have alighted with the tripartite mission of service, education, and research.
What lessons have you’ve learned throughout your career that are essential for those entering the field today?
My advice is to be inquisitive. I’m a h4 advocate for critical thinking. Looking back, I realize that many of us, especially when we’re junior, are afraid to ask questions because we fear we’ll sound foolish. We all experience a bit of imposter syndrome, but you’re likely smarter than you think. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, challenge the norm, and explore why things are done a certain way – or whether they can be done better. Sometimes we stick to certain habits just because that’s how it’s always been done. And though that can sometimes be necessary, there are other times when change is needed. Don’t shy away from it.
How do you see the role of genomics evolving in pathology over the next decade?
Whole genome and whole exome sequencing technologies are becoming more affordable and faster, and I believe they will significantly influence how we treat and approach cases. Though we already have some of these capabilities, more rapid whole genome sequencing will greatly improve our ability to diagnose rare diseases earlier, especially in pediatrics. It will also be instrumental in predicting drug responses before starting therapy and in identifying infections more accurately in infectious disease cases.
Additionally, advancements in genomics, such as CAR T-cell therapies, are transforming the landscape of medicine. Over the next 10 years, I expect these innovations to have a profound impact on medicine, and pathology will be at the forefront of that change. It’s an exciting time, as this field is rapidly expanding and poised to revolutionize the treatment of many diseases that have been difficult to manage for a long time.
How do you stay motivated and continue to push boundaries in a field that is both demanding and rapidly changing?
My initial response is that it’s easy because I love my job and I love that there’s no steady state. For example, today some of our lab information interfaces were down, but I enjoy the challenge of working in an ever-changing environment.
That said, like everyone, there are definitely days where I wake up and think, “Oh no.” My personal mantra is that I’m allowed a pity party for one day – but no more. After that, I need to come back, figure out what’s wrong, and address why I felt the need for that pity party in the first place. I think it’s important to allow yourself to feel down or frustrated, but you also have to challenge yourself to move beyond it. Life is about acknowledging your feelings – validating them – but then tackling the issues and not letting them bring you down.
As an advocate for bringing more women into the field of laboratory and genomic medicine, what changes do you think are still needed?
I definitely think we need more women in leadership roles. And that’s not just an issue in pathology – it’s true across many fields, including wider medicine and law. For over 20 years, we’ve achieved parity at the junior levels, such as in medical school and at the instructor level. However, as you move up the academic ladder, the number of women decreases. We’re seeing small improvements, but we need to accelerate progress. Having more women in leadership roles can help lift others up.
Pay equity is still an issue as well. Although our school has worked to close the gap between men and women, the problem persists. Creating a better work environment for people with families is another important factor. This is true for both men and women, but women still bear a disproportionate share of family care, including childcare and eldercare. I’m proud that, in my division, we have men who take significant responsibility for child-rearing. They serve as a great example for everyone. In short, we need to continue working toward a more balanced work environment.
Workplaces should allow people with families to be just as successful as those without. That means not scheduling meetings at inconvenient times, like early mornings or late evenings. Though this is difficult in medicine, where surgeries often start early, more flexibility is needed.
Finally, certain tasks, such as managing a division newsletter or mentoring (which is important but often undervalued) should be distributed equally among men and women. These contributions are essential but don’t always translate into big line items on a CV. Addressing these issues can help narrow the gap at the top.
What role does mentorship play in advancing the careers of women in science?
To be clear, everyone needs mentoring – both men and women. However, I think it’s especially important for women. Having role models who mentor is crucial, as it shows that work-life balance is possible and helps overcome stereotypes and preconceived notions about women in the workplace. For example, there’s a lot of data showing that women often don’t negotiate and, when we do, there’s a perception that we don’t negotiate well. In reality, studies show that women actually negotiate better than men in many cases because they focus on long-term outcomes and equitable solutions.
Mentoring women on these insights can empower them to realize they’re not bad at negotiating, but may simply avoid it – particularly when negotiating for themselves. Interestingly, women tend to negotiate better when advocating for others. A book I like called How Women Rise discusses 12 behaviors that often hold women back. Recognizing these behaviors in yourself is the first step toward overcoming them.
In my career, after becoming a full professor, I wanted to give back to the women in my department. When I started, there were no women faculty, and I was determined to ensure that didn’t happen again. I created a professional development group for women, initially for faculty, but later it expanded to trainees. We ran the group for about eight years, and it eventually evolved into our Office of Faculty Development, which is now department-wide and includes both men and women. It was a space for discussing professional growth, overcoming stereotypes, and providing support. It was a lot of fun and I do miss it.
As a division chief, I now look after all our faculty, but I’ve thought about focusing again on supporting women when I retire. Ideally, by the time I retire, such efforts won’t be necessary because parity will have been achieved. At that point, we can focus on whatever gaps remain.
Please offer one piece of advice to young women considering a career in pathology and laboratory medicine…
Observe, explore, and shadow as much as you can. Pathology is a vast field, and it can be hard to envision yourself in a role if you don’t fully understand what that role entails. We have areas like anatomical pathology, clinical pathology, neuropathology, as well as opportunities in academia, hospitals, and industry. Some roles are more desk-based, while others involve seeing patients, such as in transfusion medicine.
By shadowing professionals, you can start to picture yourself in the field. Pathology is incredibly rewarding – it has allowed me to travel the world and meet people from all walks of life. I especially encourage young women to explore this field, as it offers great opportunities for women. Come observe, and discover where you might fit in.
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