Volunteer opportunities, student scholarships and paper competition, call for poster abstracts, upcoming events, and more.
Volunteer for ASCLS Committees
Apply by March 1
Applications are now open for national committee appointments with terms beginning in August 2022.
“The greatest asset of any organization is its members capacity to share their time, knowledge, and talent.” It’s you, our greatest ASCLS asset, who through your talent, passion, and experience powers the great work of our Society. Work that centers on raising and amplifying, as a single voice, the laboratory profession and professional.
Volunteers on national committees are critical to achieve and advance the ASCLS mission. And passionate members like you, who serve on them, are the WHY AND HOW we continue to keep our organization moving forward. Learn more about national committees, including position descriptions and committee charges.
Diversity within the volunteer ranks makes ASCLS stronger. A mix of new and experienced professionals on all of the committees rejuvenate the organization with fresh ideas while those who have served ASCLS in various capacities over the years bring a wealth of society knowledge. All levels of laboratory and ASCLS experience are encouraged to apply.
ASCLS utilizes an online system that matches volunteers with positions. Adding yourself to the volunteer pool is as easy as 1-2-3.
- Log in to the ASCLS Connect and fill out your regular member profile.
- Review all of the open volunteer opportunities.
- Apply for the opportunities where you think you can make the biggest contribution.
The application deadline for the 2022-23 Society year volunteer opportunities is Tuesday, March 1, but your profile will be used throughout the association year to fill other volunteer opportunities as they arise.
ASCLS looks forward to you finding a national committee that matches your passion and talents.
Scholarships Available through the ASCLS Education & Research Fund
Applications Due by April 1
The ASCLS Education & Research Fund, Inc., (E&R Fund) provides scholarships and grants for students enrolled in programs in medical laboratory technology, medical laboratory science, and graduate degrees related to the profession, including the doctorate in clinical laboratory science.
Eligibility for E&R Fund Scholarships
- Member of ASCLS
- Undergraduate applicants may apply during their final year
- Undergraduate applicants must be enrolled in a NAACLS-accredited program
The E&R Fund also offers research grants of $3,000 to $5,000 supporting members’ investigations of issues critical to laboratory medicine and health care. Learn more.
Donations
The E&R Fund depends on your donations! Money is raised through silent auctions throughout the year, but that is just a part of what is given to students each year. The Foundation also accepts donations at any time of the year. Your contribution is officially a tax-deductible donation to our 501c3 fund. There is no minimum contribution—all donations are appreciated. If you want to donate to a specific scholarship, simply provide the name and affiliation of the person you wish to honor or memorialize. The trustees of the E&R Fund thank you in advance for your contributions.
Upcoming Events
Save the Dates: 2022 ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting
June 26-June 30 | Grand Rapids, Michigan
Plans for the 2022 ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting (JAM) are well underway. Again this year JAM will offer flexibility with two attendee options—in-person and virtual. Registration opens in March.
In-Person Attendance: Following CDC and state of Michigan guidelines on social distancing, mask requirements, and hygiene, JAM will be held at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In addition to the educational program, poster presentations, industry partner exhibits, and networking activities, you’ll also receive access to all recorded JAM educational sessions for 30 days after the event, providing you with about 60 hours of P.A.C.E.®-approved credit.
Virtual Attendance: You will have access to the nearly 60 educational sessions, either streamed live or recorded; industry partner virtual activities; virtual poster presentations; and virtual networking events. You will also have access to all recorded JAM educational sessions for 30 days after the event. You get to choose which sessions and events you want to attend live and which recordings you will view later when the time is right. Create a personalized JAM experience that fits your life.
Submit a Poster Presentation Abstract for the 2022 JAM by March 19
The 2022 JAM poster presentation abstract submissions are currently open! Make an impact on the future of medical laboratory science by sharing your research and case studies with peers from across the nation.
All accepted primary poster presenters will receive $75 off registration for the meeting. Additionally, a poster and oral presentation competition will award cash prizes. This year all posters will be presented in a digital format for viewing by both the in-person and virtual attendees. Poster authors will have the opportunity to present posters in-person or virtually. The deadline for abstract submissions is March 19.
Ask Me Anything: From Education to Employment and Advancement
Sunday, February 27, 8 pm EST
Virtual
Do you want advice for landing your first job after graduation? Or are you already employed but looking to change companies or direction? Does the phrase “salary negotiation” fill you with dread? Are you looking for tips to ace a virtual job interview? What about a quick lesson on wrapping your head around the benefits package in your job offer? Bring any and all of your employment related questions to this month’s Ask Me Anything. Panelists Miles Tompkins, MLT(ASCP)CM; Ian Wallace, MLS(ASCP)CM; and Shawn Wierzbowski are eager to help! Sign up for the free virtual event.
The Developing and Ascending Professionals Forums host bi-monthly AMAs on a variety of career-related topics to help answer all your burning questions. View a playlist of previous career advice AMAs on the ASCLS YouTube channel.
Participate in the Annual Student Paper Award Competition
Deadline: April 1
The Education Scientific Assembly Student Paper Award Competition is currently seeking submissions in two categories. The competition is for MLS/DMS/CGT/MLT student research papers and case studies.
- Student research papers should address scientific as well as applicable educational, technical, administrative, consulting, and management studies.
- Case studies should address any unusual, interesting, and unique manifestation of a disease etiology, pathology, clinical syndrome, complications, and prognosis known or unknown.
The award for the top research paper and the top case study is a $500 cash prize and free registration to attend the 2022 Joint Annual Meeting (in-person or virtually). Learn more.
Medical Laboratory Professionals Week
Join Your Friends and Colleagues in the 2022 Lab Week Run
Nearly 1,000 people have signed up for the 7th Annual ASCLS Lab Week Virtual Run. Step out of your labs and into your communities to help spread the word about the medical laboratory profession.
This virtual race can be run at any time during Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (April 24-30, 2022) and can be run anywhere. Participants can walk, use a treadmill, run outside, or even ride a bike to complete the 5K distance (or 3.1 miles).
Only about 500 medals remain, so sign up today! All proceeds go to grants and scholarships that help new medical laboratory professionals attend ASCLS meetings, lobby representatives for the profession, and become future leaders in the field.
Thank you to our 2022 Platinum Sponsors AUDIT MicroControls, COLA Inc., and The Binding Site.
Voices Under 40
Spotlight: Julie Bayer-Vile, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSCCM,MBCM, Henrico, Virginia
Julie is currently a graduate student. “I am pursuing a master’s degree in genetic counseling and am excited to use the skills and experience I have gained in the lab to benefit my patients. I am especially excited to work with laboratory utilization of genetic testing to benefit my patients, the facility I will be working for, and the laboratories. My master’s thesis is looking at ways to identify and implement a preferred laboratory structure for referral genetic testing. Having the background that I do makes me uniquely qualified for this type of work. The experience I have gained on the bench and with ASCLS is going to go far in enabling me to help my patients as best I can.”
Julie has served ASCLS in many capacities at all levels of leadership, including the Abstract Proposal and Review Committee and the House of Delegates Engagement Task Force. “My motivation for being involved in ASCLS is having a better understanding of the field so I can be a better healthcare provider.” Read more.
ASCLS Voices Under 40 honors ASCLS members who have shown exceptional commitment to the Society, the laboratory profession, and their community at large at a younger age in their professional career. Each month we spotlight one of the shining voices who were selected from many nominations across the country.
Welcome New Member
Princess Ogwu, Brambleton, Virginia
Princess introduced herself in the #IamASCLS-Introduce Yourself Community: “My name is Princess. I am a Pharmacy Technician at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Currently, I am a senior at George Mason University studying to get my BSc in MLS. I am excited to be part of this scientific community and look forward to engaging in meetings, research, and all other activities that ASCLS holds.
“I am an extrovert with introvert tendencies, but I do love meeting people anytime, any day.” Connect with Princess.
Local Events
Laboratory Safety in the Era of COVID-19
ASCLS-Missouri Webinar Series
March 8
Virtual
ASCLS-Minnesota Clinical Laboratory Collaborative
March 30-31
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
South Carolina 2022 Spring Symposium
April 2
Virtual
ASCLS-Indiana/ASCLS-Kentucky Collaborative Laboratory Conference
April 8-9
Richmond, Kentucky
Vincennes, Inidana
ASCLS-Mississippi & Louisiana Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (LSCLS) Bistate Meeting
April 19-22
New Orleans
ASCLS-Colorado & ASCLS-Wyoming Clinical Laboratory Collaborative Conference
April 21-22
Denver
ASCLS-North Dakota State Meeting
April 25-26
Fargo, North Dakota
Florida Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Spring Symposium
April 29
Lakeland, Florida
ASCLS-Oklahoma One Vision Spring Seminar
April 30
Edmond, Oklahoma
ASCLS-Montana Spring Meeting
May 5-7
Great Falls, Montana
Connect: The Community Conversations
ASCLS Connect is an invaluable way to ask questions, share feedback, and stay connected with your family of laboratorians. Here are some of the recent discussions you may have missed:
- The Membership Committee posts “Membership Mondays” questions each week to spur discussion and get to know fellow ASCLS members. Two recent questions were:
- In the Microbiology/Public Health Scientific Assembly, Dr. Rodney Rohde shared a newly discovered nematode parasite named Tarantobelus jeffdanielsi, after Jeff Daniels’ role in the 1990 film Arachnophobia.
- In the Generalist Scientific Assembly, a member asked for advice on CSF specimen stability for cell counts.
- Members of the Education Scientific Assembly shared resources for online simulations of lab activities.
- ASCLS continues to share CDC alerts and updates for laboratories through the Open Forum.
Download the MemberCentric App on your mobile device to get the community conversations and more in the palm of your hand.