Read on to learn more about your peer, Tracy McMIllen, the most recent recipient of the PASCV Outstanding Clinical Laboratory Professional Award!

Being involved with PASCV has given me the opportunity to connect with colleagues who are passionate about the work they do. I appreciate the opportunity to learn from others' experiences and how different organizations approach common problems. I have attended multiple annual meetings, and I have always left feeling energetic, hopeful, and motivated to bring new ideas and solutions back to the lab.

I am a named character in a John Grisham novel.

I am most proud of my work during the COVID-19 pandemic and my involvement in the original assay development and implementation of in-house next-generation sequencing. Our ability to streamline sequencing early on allowed us to track variants in almost real-time, giving us so much insight for our patients and staff. It was the most challenging time to be in the lab, but the most impactful of my career. I will never forget the obstacles we faced and how we handled all of them with ingenuity and determination.

The place that I think I am most in awe of is the Faroe Islands. It is a mixture of beauty and isolation that I have never experienced before or since, it is a truly unbelievable landscape.

Without question, the most influential person in my career has been Dr. Esther Babady. Her mentorship and friendship over the years have shaped the way I approach my work and my career. She has consistently encouraged my growth, challenged me to think bigger, and supported me through important milestones. I am incredibly grateful for her guidance and I would not be the scientist I am without her.

Project Hail Mary. This book is totally outside of what I normally read but I enjoyed it immensely, and if you talk to me for longer than 10 minutes I will probably find a way to bring it up.

Nominations of members at any career stage, including student and early career members, are welcome. To nominate a colleague, mentee, or yourself, please submit the online nomination form at the bottom of this page. Nominations will be reviewed by the Membership Committee, and the selected members will be contacted by a committee member prior to the quarterly PASCV Member Spotlight. Members selected for the quarterly PASCV Member Spotlight will be featured in the PASCV Pulse, website, and PASCV social media platforms.