Sample Tracking at a Large-Scale Genetics Laboratory: From Sample Receipt through Reporting with Sharon Mexal, PhD, MB(ASCP), CGMBS

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  Clinical diagnostic testing in a CLIA/CAP laboratory involves comprehensive sample tracking from sample receipt, wet lab preparation, and result interpretation.  However, even with the most rigorous lab consumable barcoding and sample tracking system, a patient sample could still encounter a rare mislabeling or mishandling prior to receipt or during preparation in complex laboratory workflows. All these factors highlight the clear need to ensure sample identity and integrity prior to embarking on molecular-based testing. In this webinar, Dr. Sharon Mexal, VP of Clinical Operations at Ambry Genetics, will share their high-throughput Clinical Diagnostic Genetic Testing Laboratory’s experience with integration and scale-up of a cost-effective sample tracking and NGS data quality assurance workflow for germline hereditary testing.

Sharon Mexal, PhD, MB(ASCP), CGMBS | Presenter

   

Dr. Mexal joined Ambry Genetics in 2009. As the Senior Director of Clinical Operations, she focuses on the continued operational excellence and innovation of Ambry’s clinical laboratory, including advancing test turnaround times and quality. She graduated with honors from the University of New Mexico with a B.S. in Biology and with a Ph.D. in Human Medical Genetics from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Dr. Mexal completed her post-doctoral research at the University of Colorado at Boulder Institute for Behavioral Genetics. Prior to joining Ambry, Dr. Mexal was active in neurogenetics research and pharmaceutical compound screening for over a decade in industry and academic laboratories. She has published numerous articles on the genetics of schizophrenia and tobacco addiction in human and animal models. Dr. Mexal is licensed by ASCP and the state of California as a Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist.

Brissa Martin, MS, CGC | Moderator

   

Brissa Martin received her B.S. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from the University of California, Los Angeles and her M.S. in Genetic Counseling from the University of California, Irvine. She has worked primarily in the field of molecular diagnostics and has experience in a variety of specialties including neurology, mitochondrial and metabolic disorders, cancer, and whole exome sequencing. She has clinical expertise in pediatric genetics and prenatal diagnosis. Additional experience includes laboratory processes, result reporting, variant assessment, test launching, client services, and sales.