STORY COLLIDER PRESENTS: STORIES FROM APHL
As part of ID Lab Con, The Story Collider is delighted to partner with APHL to share stories from the APHL community at an after-hours event.
Join us in Atlanta, GA at The National Center for Civil and Human Rights in the Glenn Room for an evening of true, personal stories related to infectious disease!
Hosted by Emma Yarbrough and Meisa Salaita.
Doors open at 6:30 and the event to start at 7:00.
Parking is available at the World of Coca-Cola Parking Garage (Address: 126 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
Stories by:
Nandhu Balakrishnan works for Georgia Public Health Laboratory as Director of Microbiology. At the end of the day, his job involves public health and community service. He was born and raised in Southern India. He completed his Master’s and PhD in Medical Microbiology from India. In 2008, he migrated to the United States and worked as a post-doctoral fellow before landing his first real public health job. His passion for laboratory science stems from his childhood. It has been a roller coaster ride throughout these years to reach the pinnacle of success. He is proud of his accomplishments, despite having to overcome the tough times that he has gone through in his life. He usually takes one day at a time and strives his best to take care of his mother, sister and people surrounding him. He is an extrovert (thankfully that was inbuilt) and can make friends easily. He loves cooking and enjoys participating in community service.
Desiree Reding has her Master's in medical laboratory science from the University of Minnesota and has been practicing in the Clinical Science field since 2020. Reading Richard Preston’s “The Hot Zone” in high school ignited a passion for microbes that would eventually bring her into the laboratory profession fold. She is completing an Infectious Disease Fellowship through the Association of Public Health Laboratories/CDC this March, where she has worked on designing and implementing new molecular testing for bacterial pathogens. When she isn’t going on adventures with her husband and toddler, she can almost certainly be found reading, eating ice cream, or researching obscure facts.
Chris Doern is the Director of Microbiology at VCU Health System in Richmond, VA. He is an active member in the microbiology community and co-chair several professional meetings including the annual Pediatric Microbiology Director's Meeting as well as the ASM Clinical Microbiology Open.
Hello, my name is Kristie Schwarzkopf. I currently reside in Bismarck, North Dakota with my husband, Todd, and Camden one of my three children. My oldest son, Conrad, works law enforcement for the county in which we live, and my daughter Maggie attends graduate school in Bloomington, MN. We now have three dogs, Frank, Charlotte, and Moose. I am originally from Surrey, a small town east of Minot, ND. I have spent the last 33 years in the Clinical Laboratory Science Field. My career started as clinical laboratory trainee for the US Civil Service which allowed me the opportunity to train as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist while attending college at Minot State University. Upon graduation, I took a job with Trinity Health in Minot, North Dakota. I worked for a clinical site in Minot working my way up to managing the daily operations of the lab. After the lab was closed and consolidated with the hospital, we decided to move to Bismarck, North Dakota for career advancement. After spending one year at Mid Dakota Clinic/Northern Plains Laboratory, I was fortunate enough to accept a position with the Department of Health, Laboratory Services, as a Microbiologist I. Over the course of almost 18 years, at the department, I have worked my way up to my current position which is the Division Director for Special Microbiology.
My name is Heidi McBriarty. I earned degrees of Bachelor in Chemistry and Master in Public Health from Southern Connecticut State University. I am currently employed as the working supervisor of the Virology/Serology Section in the Connecticut State Public Health Laboratory. I also enjoy teaching undergraduates about public health as adjunct faculty at Southern Connecticut State University. Additionally, I am a member of Cohort 19 of the APHL Emerging Leaders’ Program. When I am not working I enjoy gardening and spending time with my many pets.