From Cells to Careers: Inspiring Future Scientists Through Medical Lab Experiences

Earn 1 SCHECH credit for joining!

Title:

Brief description:

In this dynamic session, you’ll see inside the world of the medical laboratory through two powerful lenses. Dr. Mirza will guide you through a lesson based on a simulated hematology patient journey - from initial symptoms to diagnosis - illustrating how each stage of testing builds on performance expectations from the Framework for K-12 Science Education.

Then Karen Barron will open the door to the high-demand careers that make this work possible, highlighting the diverse roles in the medical laboratory and the opportunities for students to join this vital, life-saving workforce.

You’ll leave equipped to make science more relevant, exciting, and inspiring for your students – while showing how their learning can directly improve and even save lives.

Learning Outcomes:

• Relate basic science concepts to real world diagnostic scenarios.
• Connect classroom science with future careers.
• Structure lessons to reflect the practice of scientists in the medical laboratory.

Karen Barron MLS (ASCP) is a Medical Laboratory Scientist and Allied Health Education Manager for the Michigan Medicine Department of Pathology. She visits schools and collaborates with educators to raise awareness of medical laboratory services and professions. She also coordinates internships and facilitates continuing education and professional development for Pathology Allied Health staff which include Phlebotomists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Histotechnologists, and Pathologist’s Assistants.

Dr. Kamran Mirza, MBBS, PhD, MLS (ASCP) is a Hematopathologist and Director of the Michigan Medicine Pathology Division of Training Programs and Communications. Dr. Mirza co-founded PathElective.com, a free educational website in pathology, American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Virtual Pathology Grand Rounds, the PathPod podcast, the PATH_SIG virtual pathology student interest group, www.hemereports.com, and the Digital Communications Fellowship in Pathology. Dr. Mirza's advocacy for pathology, patients, and trainees is highlighted on his social media channels (X: @KMirza, lnstagram and TikTok: @KamPathDoc).