Clinical Laboratory Educators Forum

The Clinical Laboratory Educators Forum (CLEF) engages and facilitates the involvement and interest of Clinical Laboratory Educator members in ASCLS. Any ASCLS member can elect to join the CLEF. The forum holds their annual membership meeting each late May/early June.

Activities of the Forum may include assessing current trends in educational programs, supporting the professional development of educators, and developing career recruitment materials for use with precollege, undergraduate, and graduate students. The Laboratory Educators Institute sub-committee coordinates the submission and development of learning activities for educators. The online community has additional resources available for educators.

Engage with the Community

ASCLS CLEF Online Community – Join the CLEF Community to connect and interact with other educators. The community is a great place to share ideas and post questions to other educators, as well as engage with your peers. Activities of the CLEF also include virtual meetings to discuss curriculum, learning activities, ways to engage with your students and networking. The community is open to any member of ASCLS with an interest in education.
Volunteer Opportunities – Various volunteer opportunities will be posted within the online community throughout the year including the opportunity to serve as CLEF Poster Abstract Reviewers, Student Paper Reviewers and webinar presenters.
CLEF Updates at CLEC – The CLEF Leadership Council provides an update of activities at the Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC), as well as hosts a table where you can learn more about the Forum activities.
Leadership Positions – The CLEF Leadership Council and Laboratory Educators Institute (LEI) sub-committee members are elected at the annual meeting of the membership.
Create Learning Opportunities for fellow Educators – The Laboratory Educators Institute assists with professional development in critical areas that include education/teaching, administration/leadership, clinical practice, and research. Courses are housed on the ASCLS Learning Management System Labucate. Have expertise to share? Submit a Proposal Today

Celebrate Contributions to Education

2026 Recipient Sonya Hidalgo and CLEF Past-Chair Stephanie Cochrane

CLEF Impactful Innovation Award – Launched in 2026, the CLEF Award for Impactful Innovation in Education recognizes outstanding achievement of an individual ASCLS member who has provided an innovation/tool in education. The award is presented at the Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC). Deadline: December 13th
Scientific Posters at CLEC – The CLEF coordinates the Poster Showcase at CLEC, highlighting original research, teaching tool or other projects that benefited/improved instruction or program administration.

Opportunities for Student Recognition

CLEF Student Paper Award – The Clinical Laboratory Educators Forum (CLEF) of ASCLS supports an annual competition for undergraduate 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. Submissions (both research and case studies) must be original work (not previously published). Deadline: April 15th