Clinical and Public Health Microbiology Mentors
Contact one of the clinical microbiologists for clinical or public health microbiology career advice:
J. Kristie Johnson, Ph.D., D(ABMM)
Professor of Pathology and Medical Director of Clinical Microbiology , University of Maryland School of Medicine
Personal Statement
J. Kristie Johnson, Ph.D., D(ABMM), M(ASCP), is currently the medical director of microbiology for the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore. Johnson has a passion for microbiology that spans the greater part of 2 decades. She would like to expound her knowledge and presence through mentorship spanning the microbiology spectrum, from high school students, undergraduates, to medical laboratory scientists and Ph.D./M.D. laboratory directors. Her goal is to inform others about the field of clinical microbiology and to help others progress and succeed in the field.
Samia N. Naccache, Ph.D., PHM, D(ABMM), M(ASCP)CM
Technical Director, Microbiology and Molecular, LapCorp
Personal Statement
Samia N. Naccache, Ph.D., PHM, D(ABMM), M(ASCP)CM, is the technical director of the microbiology molecular laboratory at LabCorp Seattle. Naccache is passionate about clinical microbiology and bringing scientists into the field. She took the long route to licensure and certification and is here for those who are just realizing that clinical microbiology is their true calling. In her spare time, Naccache enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest (from home base in Seattle), learning to play the violin as an adult and successfully keeping multiple houseplants alive.
La'Tonzia L. Adams, M.D., M.S., FASCP, FCAP, CLT
Staff Pathologist and Medical Director: Microbiology/Chemistry/Support Services, VA Portland Health Care System
Personal Statement
La'Tonzia L. Adams, M.D., M.S., FASCP, FCAP, CLT, prides herself as being one of those pathologists who has decided to step from behind the microscope and out of the laboratory. It has been her goal to bring awareness and understanding of what the laboratory’s actual role is through interdepartmental talks/in-services, serving on facility-wide committees and using clinical consultations as educational opportunities. In addition, she believes that there needs to be more exposure to clinical laboratory sciences. Adams speaks at various elementary schools, high schools and colleges in the community on the field of pathology and clinical laboratory sciences.
In her spare time, Adams enjoys playing the piano and bringing advocacy and awareness to Lipedema and other subcutaneous adipose tissue diseases.
Zenda Berrada, Ph.D., D(ABMM)
Chief, Microbial Diseases Laboratory Program, California Department of Public Health
Personal Statement
Zenda Berrada, Ph.D., D(ABMM), is a member of the Clinical Microbiology Mentoring Subcommittee and her runs through 2025. Her complete biography will be posted on this page soon.
Patricia Cernoch, MT(ASCP)SM, SV
Manager, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Houston Methodist Hospital
Personal Statement
Pat Cernoch's term as a member of the Clinical Microbiology Mentoring Subcommittee runs through 2023. Her complete biography will be posted on this page soon.
Nicole M. Green, Ph.D., D(ABMM), PHM, M(ASCP)CM
Director of Public Health Laboratories, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Personal Statement
Nicole M. Green, Ph.D., D(ABMM), PHM, M(ASCP)CM loves chihuahuas, cooking and collecting old postcards. She is passionate about training new microbiologists and teaching others about public health and clinical microbiology.
Neil Greene, Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor and Director, Medical Laboratory Science Program, University of Rhode Island
Personal Statement
Neil Greene, Ph.D., enjoys sharing his passion for clinical microbiology with others and strives to increase awareness of the medical laboratory science profession. When he isn't teaching, Greene likes to explore the outdoors, cook and watch movies.
Mondraya Howard, Ph.D.
Departmental Fellow in Clinical Microbiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine
Personal Statement
Mondraya Howard, Ph.D., conducts applied research, strengthened by the collaboration between the laboratory and healthcare professionals, to improve patient diagnostic testing. She seeks to foster an environment that supports professional development and career advancement of bench-level scientists. Howard is also passionate about exposing the public to public health and clinical laboratory sciences through outreach and educational opportunities. In her spare time she enjoys reading (sci-fi and fantasy), knitting and going on walks.
Kurt Jude, M(ASCP)CM
Quality Management Coordinator, Mayo Clinic
Personal Statement
Kurt Jude, M(ASCP)CM is the quality management coordinator for the Mayo Clinic. Jude's term as a member of the Clinical Microbiology Mentoring Subcommittee runs through 2025. His complete biography will be posted on the page soon.
Perceus Mody, MLS(ASCP)CM
Medical Laboratory Scientist, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Personal Statement
Perceus Mody, MLS(ASCP)CM, is passionate about furthering fellow clinical microbiologists’ careers, finding the right fit for them and raising awareness about the field. Mody believes the diverse field of clinical microbiology has a lot to offer to young scientific minds graduating from college with an undergraduate, master’s or Ph.D. degree.
Mody likes reading books (recommends Germ Theory by Robert Gaynes) and listening to ASM podcasts, while driving to work and playing soccer.
Debra Myers, M.S.
Microbiology Chief Technologist, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Personal Statement
Debra Myers, M.S., would like to give others exposure to what is going on in the world of clinical microbiology outside of their own laboratories. Participating in ASM activities (meetings, webinars and listservs) will enable microbiologists to connect with leaders in the field and develop a network of peers.
Myers plays tennis and golf.
She also enjoys ski and beach vacations.
Phyu M. Thwe, Ph.D., D(ABMM), MLS(ASCP)CM
Microbiology Technical Director, Allina Health System
Personal Statement
Phyu M. Thwe, Ph.D., D(ABMM), MLS (ASCP)CM, loves teaching young microbiologists, pathology and infectious disease residents. She regularly writes case studies with trainees and young microbiologists for ASCP Labmedicine blog to provide continuing education. Thwe’s also passionate in raising awareness about the field. Thwe loves hanging out with her birdies and kitties, kayaking, hiking, biking and volunteering at bird shelters.
Wilson Vientos, M.S., MT(ASCP)SM
Microbiology/TB Supervisor & Adjunct Professor, Connecticut VA Healthcare System & Quinnipiac University.
Personal Statement
Wilson Vientos, M.S., MT(ASCP)SM, is the microbiology/TB supervisor and adjunct professor at the Connecticut VA Healthcare System & Quinnipiac University. Vientos has been interested in all things small since he recieved his first microscope at the age of 8. He was mentored early in his career by some fantastic infectious disease physicians that helped develop his passion for microbiology.
In his spare time, he loves to run and watch his daughter compete in races. He is also interested in art and has a degree in graphic design, which he uses to make illustrations for a parasitology-related website.