Name & Credentials: Jason A. Yuhas, BS, CG(ASCP) CM Position: President-Elect Qualifications: AGT member since 1999; Director-At-Large (2011); Annual Meeting Co-Director - Atlanta (2012); Annual Meeting Co-Director - Las Vegas (2013); Annual Meeting Director - Louisville (2014); Annual Meeting Director - Savannah (2015); Chair of the AGT Social Media Committee (2012 - Present); Invited Annual Meeting Workshop Speaker (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015); Poster Content Presented at Annual Meeting (2008, 2011 and 2012, 2015); AGT Mentor, 2014-present Professional Experience: Cytogenetic Technologist I and II (November 1998-June 2004), Butterworth Hospital/Spectrum Health Cytogenetics Lab; Adjunct Faculty (August 1999-January 2004), Grand Valley State University, Biology Department; Cytogenetic Researcher/Core Facility Manager (January 2002-July 2003), Van Andel Research Institute; Cytogenetic Core Facility Cytogenetic Technologist (July 2004- September 2006), Mayo Clinic Cytogenetics Lab FISH Area FISH Trainer (September 2006-January 2008); Education Specialist I (January 2008-September 2011); Education Specialist II/Senior Education Specialist (September 2011-Present), Mayo Clinic, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Cytogenetics Lab Education: Bachelor of Science, Biology, 1998, Grand Valley State University CG(ASCP) CM, 2001, NCA/ASCP-BOC Activities: Member of ASCP (2012-Present); Member of the NCA / ASCP Cytogenetics Examination Committee (2007-Present); Member of the ASCP Job Analysis Committee (2009-2010); Chair of the ASCP Cytogenetics Examination Committee (2012-Present); Member of the ASCP Board of Governors Council of Committee Chairs (2012-Present); Member, Coordinating Council on the Clinical Laboratory Workforce (CCCLW) Editorial Review Committee (Website) (2011 - Present); Chair, CCCLW Editorial Review Committee (Website) (2014); Member - American Society of the Clinical Laboratory Collaborative Meeting Planning Committee (2012-Present); Mayo Quality Fellow Certified - Bronze (2011); Mayo Quality Fellow Certified - Silver (2012); Proctor - University of North Dakota (2008- Present); Proctor - Oregon State University (2014 Present); Proctor - California State University Dominguez Hills - College of Extended and International Education (2011) Candidate Statement: I have served the Association of Genetic Technologist as the Annual Meeting Co- Director and Director since 2012. In this role, I have seen the excitement of our new members as well as the dedication of the senior association members at our annual meetings. From Atlanta to Vegas and from Louisville to Savannah, I have met many of our current and potential members and heard their stories of interest in genetics and involvement in AGT. I enjoy being involved with the membership and hope to serve in a continued role for our association. With the uncertainty of the future, I believe that I may best serve AGT with my passion for the field(s) of genetics, my drive to be better involved in our global community and my strong interest in our members. I would like to continue to utilize my passion for genetics and AGT as President-Elect!
Name & Credentials: Ephrem Chin, MBA, BTech(Hon), MB(ASCP) CM, QLC Preferred Director Position: Public Relations Director Qualifications: AGT member since 2007; Member, Membership Committee, 2009-2011; At-Large Member, Education Committee, 2011-2012; Member, Public Relations Committee, 2011 Professional Experience: Business Development Manager (June 2014-Present), Oxford Gene Technology; Regional Sales Manager (June 2013-May 2014), Oxford Gene Technology; Brand Manager (January 2012-May 2013), Baylor College of Medicine; Laboratory Manager (2007-2011), Emory University; Marketing Representative (2009-2011), Emory University; Clinical Technologist III (2006-2007), Emory University; Senior Research Assistant (2006), Baylor College of Medicine; Research Assistant I (2002-2005), Baylor College of Medicine; Laboratory Scientist (2000-2002), Auckland Hospital Education: Master of Business Administration, 2012, Emory University Bachelor of Technology (Biotechnology), 2001, University of Auckland MB(ASCP) CM, 2006, NCA/ASCP-BOC Qualification in Laboratory Compliance (QLC), 2007, ASCP-BOC Activities: Member, American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG); Member, Association of Molecular Pathology (AMP); AMP Membership and Professional Development Committee; AMP Liaison to Coordinating Council on the Clinical Laboratory Workforce; University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Molecular Genetic Advisory Committee; College of American Pathologists Inspector for Molecular Genetics, Heritable Diseases Candidate Statement: Over the years, my career has taken me through many different roles within research and clinical laboratories as well as within commercial organizations. I have been a bench technologist, manager and sales and marketing professional. Organizational and communication skills that have been honed by my career path would now come to the forefront and be an asset to AGT and its members. Let me assist to further the reach of AGT by building an integrated communications plan for the association that would grow our membership base. We would work together to open up lines of communication to facilitate the flow of information that would benefit the important work in which we are engaged in our professional lives. I respectfully ask for your support for my candidacy as your next Public Relations Director.
Name & Credentials: Carrie Christensen, CG(ASCP) CM Preferred Director Position: Education Director Qualifications: AGT member since 2010 Professional Experience: Cytogenetic Technologist II (June 2013-Present), Spectrum Health; Cytogenetic Technologist (April 2012-December 2013), Van Andel Research Institute; Cytogenetic Technologist (February 2010-March 2012), Shodair Children's Hospital; Adjunct Faculty (December 2007-December 2008), Rasmussen Community College; Phlebotomist (August 2004-July 2008), Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital Education: Cytogenetic Technology, Certificate of Completion, 2009, Mayo School of Health Sciences, Human Biology Bachelors of Science, 2007, Mankato State University Medical Assistant, Associate of Arts & Sciences, 2004, Rochester Community &Technical College CG(ASCP) CM, 2010, ASCP-BOC Activities: Reviewer, Spectrum Health Policies and Procedures Committee; 'Bark in the Dark' Committee Member, West Michigan Humane Society Candidate Statement: I appreciate the people and the work we do in the field of cytogenetic technology and desire to become a more involved and helpful member in the AGT organization. I have been a certified cytogenetic technologist for the past five years and have covered many areas of duty from setup to analysis to FISH in clinical and research. My coworkers would say that I am kind and a reliable team member. I deeply enjoy education and feel that I could fulfill the duties required of an Education Director. I have past experience in class instruction, exam/test writing and problem solving with students. I also enjoy new challenges and projects. As a Board member I would bring a voice to the table to represent my generation while considering the knowledge given to me by my mentors and elders. I respect alternative views and maintain an open mind when ideas or objections are brought forth. I maintain professionalism in my work and interactions with others, along with a standard of quality in my assignments. I aim to be prompt, respectable and foster an atmosphere of understanding.
Name & Credentials: Jun Gu, MD, PhD, CG(ASCP) CM Preferred Director Position: Annual Meeting Co-Director Qualifications: AGT member since 2004. Public Relations Director, AGT Board of Directors 2012-present; Member, AGT Genetic Educators Committee, 2005- present Professional Experience: Assistant Professor/Program Director - Cytogenetic Technology (September 2014-Present), University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, School of Health Professions; Assistant Professor, Education Coordinator - Cytogenetic Technology Program (January 2004-August 2014), University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, School of Health Professions; Technical Specialist (September 1998-December 2003), University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Pathology/Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine Education: PhD, Healthcare Management, 2009, TUI University Master of Science, Environmental Science Genetic Toxicology, 1996, University of Texas, Health Science Center in Houston, School of Public Health Research Fellowship, Cellular Genetics, 1993-1994, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center MD, Medicine Postgraduate Training, 1989, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University Activities: Alumni and Faculty Association Steering Committee, MD Anderson, Present; Education Resources Committee, MD Anderson, 2009-Present Candidate Statement: Being a member of AGT and an educator for the last 10 years, I have attended all of AGT's Annual Meetings and have also given workshops on different topics. My experience as Public Relations Director has given me the opportunity to understand our members' needs for their professional growth, career development, continuing education and annual meeting expectations. Serving as Annual Meeting Co-director would provide me the opportunity to be continuously involved in AGT activities so I could better serve our organization and continue to work with this fun group of people!
Name & Credentials: Sally J. Kochmar, MS, CG(ASCP) CM Preferred Director Position: Education Director Qualifications: AGT member since 1985; Mid-Atlantic region representative on the Education Committee, 1992-2012; Education Director, AGT Board of Directors, 2012-present Professional Experience: Laboratory Manager (1993-Present), Cytogenetics Lab, Magee-Womens Hospital; Laboratory Supervisor (1986-1993), Cytogenetics Lab, Magee-Womens Hospital; Cytogenetic Technologist (1982-1986), Magee-Womens Hospital Education: Certificate in Molecular Laboratory Diagnostics, 2013, Michigan State University Master of Science, Human Genetics, 1982, University of Pittsburgh Bachelor of Science, Biology, 1980, Boston College CG(ASCP) CM, 1985, NCA/ASCP-BOC Activities: Cub Scout Den Leader and Pack Committee Chair, Pack 329, McCandless, PA, 2002-2010; Boy Scout Commitee Member, Membership Subcommittee, Troop 329, McCandless, PA, 2007-present Candidate Statement: One of the reasons I decided to work in this field is because, unlike so many other laboratory sciences, our genetic knowledge is continually changing and expanding. There is always something new to learn in this discipline. Having spent the last 23 years as a member of the Education Committee I have had the pleasure of working with five different Education Directors and have learned a lot from all of them. Over the years we have expanded the continuing education offerings through AGT. In the last two plus years as Education Director for AGT I have been able to introduce our webinar series, which has enabled us to reach a wider number of members in addition to regional and annual meetings. If re-elected, I hope to reintroduce more regional meetings around the country as well as continue our successful webinar program.
Name & Credentials: Christina Mendiola, BS,CG(ASCP) CM Preferred Director Position: Public Relations Director Qualifications: AGT member since 1999. Chair, AGT Lab Week Committee Chair, 2013-present. Professional Experience: Senior Tech (March 2011-Present), UTHSCSA, Clinical and Molecular Cytogenetics Laboratory; Intermediate Cytogenetic Tech (February 2010-February 2011), UTHSCSA, Clinical and Molecular Cytogenetics Laboratory; Interim Supervisor (May 2009-January 2010), UTHSCSA, Clinical and Molecular Cytogenetics Laboratory; Cytogenetic Tech II (June 2007-April 2009), UTHSCSA, Clinical and Molecular Cytogenetics Laboratory; Assistant Supervisor/Safety Officer (October 1998-June 2007), Southwest Genetics; Cytogenetic Technologist (July 1998-October 1998), Applied Genetics, Inc. Education: Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Cytogenetics, 1998, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Bachelor of Science, Biology 1996, University of Texas at San Antonio CG(ASCP) CM, 1998, NCA/ASCP-BOC Activities: Lab Week Coordinator, UTHSCSA Pathology Department, 2009-Present; Special Events Council, UTHSCSA, 2014-2015; Fleet Feet Sports Running Participant, 2012-2014; Summer Mentor for 5K, 2014; Half Marathon, February 22, 2015 Candidate Statement: I have been an AGT member for more than 15 years. I have attended numerous AGT Annual Meetings, and as a member, I would like do more in the organization. I am goal-oriented, driven and dedicated, with a desire to gain more knowledge and experience. I feel these attributes would enable me to perform above and beyond for the position of Public Relations Director. My goals as a new Board member would be to encourage and promote AGT and its membership for new members and to help coordinate membership renewal for returning members.
Name & Credentials: Jennifer N. Sanmann, PhD, MB(ASCP) CM CG CM Preferred Director Position: Annual Meeting Co-Director Qualifications: AGT member since 2005. Professional Experience: Associate Director/Assistant Professor (2014-Present), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Human Genetics Laboratory; Clinical Cytogenetics Fellow (2012-2014), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Human Genetics Laboratory; Cytogenetic Technologist (2005-2012), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Human Genetics Laboratory Education: Clinical Cytogenetics Fellowship, 2012-2014, University of Nebraska Medical Center Doctor of Philosophy, Genetics, 2012, University of Nebraska Medical Center Master of Science, Genetics, 2008, University of Nebraska Medical Center Bachelor of Science, Biology, 2003, Creighton University MB(ASCP) CM, 2006, NCA/ASCP-BOC CG(ASCP) CM, 2007, NCA/ASCP-BOC Active Candidate for the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG) Clinical Cytogenetics certification examination Activities: Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP), 2009-Present; American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), 2012-Present; Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CLMA) [Board member], 2012-Present; Nebraska Oncology Society (NOS), 2012-Present; Clinical Genomics Consortium (CGC), 2013-Present Candidate Statement: As the landscape of diagnostic genetic testing continues to evolve, there are limitless opportunities for growth in the area of genetic diagnostics. Clinicians in a wide range of specialties (pediatrics, cardiology, neurology, oncology, clinical genetics) rely on the expertise of laboratory professionals to develop, validate and perform clinically-informative testing for their patients. However, with this growth, our profession also faces many significant challenges: increasing demands for our services in the context of a relatively limited workforce, rapidly evolving technology, decreasing reimbursement for genetic testing services and increased regulation. Because no one laboratory or individual will be able to successfully address all of these challenges in isolation, the educational and professional support that organizations such as AGT provide is critical for progress. The AGT Annual Meeting is an excellent time to learn technical skills from colleagues, to discuss challenges with peers, to raise concerns with influential leaders in the field and to build lifetime professional relationships. As Annual Meeting Co-Director, I would commit to ensuring that the meeting agenda includes a wide range of technical topics, spanning both conventional assays and modern-day molecular techniques. In addition, I would commit to providing opportunities to engage other relevant laboratory topics,
including regulatory issues, billing and reimbursement, quality control/quality assurance, bioinformatics and result reporting. Above all, I value highly the networking opportunities that AGT's Annual Meeting provides, and I envision that those opportunities will be a vital part of the experience for many years to come. Thank you for your consideration for this position.
Name & Credentials: Catherine Smock, MLS(ASCP)CG CM Preferred Director Position: Annual Meeting Co-Director Qualifications: AGT member since 1978; AGT Mentor, 2014-present Professional Experience: Lead Tech, Cytogenetics/FISH (1986-Present), Monmouth Medical Center (Barnabas Health); Cytogenetics/FISH Consultant (2009-2014), Neolomed; Molecular Technologist, Hematology (1977-1986), Monmouth Medical Center; Senior Cytogenetics Technologist (1977-1980), UMDNJ; Cytogeneticist (1974-1977), Monmouth Medical Center Education: Master of Science Program, 1989, Seton Hall University Bachelor of Science, 1974, MT Fairleigh Dickinson University 1982-1989 MS Program Seton Hall University MLS(ASCP), 1974, ASCP-BOC CG(ASCP), 1979, ASCP-BOC Activities: Jersey Shore Rose Society Candidate Statement: In my personal life, I have been involved in local, district and national rose shows in different capacities: recruiting exhibitors and speakers, creating programs, coordinating luncheons, dinners and awards and other show activities. I have never held any position in the AGT organization, but I have attended many meetings. As a long standing member of the cytogenetics community, I feel I may be able to bring experience and enthusiasm. If elected, my goal will be to run an organized, wellattended meeting with inspiring speakers and relevant vendors.