Chair's Message

Allied Health Training Programs

The Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine offers and/or participates in multiple Allied Health training programs. Depending on the specific program, we offer both independent training at UCLA, or act as a rotation site for practical clinical experiences for students enrolled in degree programs elsewhere. Staff are essential members of our successful health care team, and we are proud to help train the next generation of Lab Scientists, Phlebotomists, Cytologists and Pathologist Assistants! Our allied health students work closely with our staff, residents, fellows and faculty during their time at UCLA Pathology. For more information, please visit our dedicated website.

We also offer experiences for local high school students and recent high school graduates who participate in the Turner UCLA Allied Health Internship. This Internship exposes students to allied health careers throughout the hospital. 

Clinical Cytogeneticist Scientist Program

The California Cytogenetics Training Program at UCLA continues to excel as a premier platform for advancing the field of clinical cytogenetics. Designed to cultivate the next generation of California Licensed Clinical Cytogenetics Specialists (CCS), the 52 week program combines didactic training with a rigorous hands-on laboratory experience, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to contribute to cutting-edge diagnostics and research.

This year, we are proud to have two enthusiastic trainees (left to right), Karamat and Jake, enrolled in the program. Both bring exceptional dedication and energy to their training and are on track to graduate in June 2025. Their progress underscores the program’s commitment to fostering excellence and innovation.

Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist (CGMBS) Program

The molecular Diagnostics Laboratories (MDL) Clinical Genetics Molecular Biologist Scientist (CGMBS) program is a 1-year training program approved by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for licensed molecular laboratory scientists. Since 2013, MDL has trained numerous CGMBSs for hospital clinical laboratories, commercial reference laboratories, and research and development for biotech companies. The training program includes up-to-date educational lectures as well as extensive hands-on experiences in the following molecular diagnostics assays and technologies: 

• Nucleic Acid Isolation and Quantification
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Gel Electrophoresis
• Real Time PCR
• Sanger Sequencing
• Fragment Analysis
• Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Library Preparation and Sequencing Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA)
• Single Gene Mutation Analysis 

Learn More About the Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist (CGMBS) Program

Clinical Laboratory Scientist Program

UCLA Pathology is proud to partner with Cal State Dominguez Hills (CSDH) to offer clinical training for students in their post-baccalaureate Clinical Lab Scientist (CLS) training program. Each year, we accept 8 students who spend 1 year in our labs; their experience in our labs is supplemented by didactic lectures from CSDH and self-study materials. As the Class of 2025 progresses through the program, the 8 students continue to deepen their understanding of the complex theoretical concepts that form the foundation of clinical laboratory science. Their clinical rotations across various laboratory departments reveal a growing ability to grasp intricate material and apply it practically. These students are not only meeting expectations but actively engaging with the material to enhance their comprehension. They consistently demonstrate strong retention of knowledge and an aptitude for applying it in real-world scenarios.

In addition to their academic and practical training, the students also make time to connect with their trainers and colleagues, gaining invaluable insights into the real-world work environment. This experience gives them the opportunity to witness the dynamics of the profession, enhancing their education and reinforcing their preparedness for the future.

With graduation set for June 26, 2025, the CLS Class of 2025 will soon be ready to embark on their professional careers, equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the field.

Learn More About The Clinical Laboratory Scientist Program

Olympic Analytical Laboratory Updates

• The UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory (OAL) is one of the world’s largest World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited sports drug-testing facilities. As one of the leading institutions in the field of athletic antidoping, OAL is one of two laboratories in the U.S. accredited by WADA. The laboratory analyzes an estimated 40,000 urine specimens per year for traces of banned substances intended to give athletes an unfair edge in competition. The lab performs drug testing for national and international sports organizations, including the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and has provided testing services for major sporting events such as the 1994 World Soccer Cup and three Olympic Games.

  UCLA OAL has been a leader in research activities directed toward enhancing methods to detect doping in sports. UCLA OAL has contributed to the findings of techniques and substances that currently influence the fight against doping in sports:

• In 1990, UCLA OAL and others conducted research that resulted in the development of a gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) method to detect exogenous testosterone administration. Adaptations of this technique are currently utilized to detect a variety of steroids in urine specimens.
• In 2000, the laboratory identified trace-contamination of an over-the-counter supplement with an anabolic steroid and demonstrated the amount present could result in positive urine test results.
• In 2002, the laboratory identified norbolethone, a steroid that had never been marketed, in an athlete’s urine.
• In 2004, the laboratory published its findings regarding the isolation of tetrahydrogestrinone (THG), a steroid previously unknown in literature.
• In 2009, the laboratory became one of the first among WADA-laboratories to transition to high-throughput testing utilizing 96-well plate format demonstrating that such an approach remained both robust and highly-sensitive.
• In 2018, the laboratory published findings on low-dose ethanol administration effect on the urinary testosterone to epitestosterone ratio by GC-MS/MS as well as urine reference intervals for human chorionic gonadotrophin utilizing a LC-MS/MS based approach.
• In 2019, the laboratory published its findings on the urinary concentration of the AMPK-activator AICAR in an athlete population as well as the utility of isotopically labeled boldenone as a quality control marker for efficiency of chemical derivative formation.
• In 2021, the laboratory published methodology allowing assessment of urinary cobalt by LC-MS/MS technology available in house to all WADA-accredited laboratories where previously such analysis required ICP-MS.
• In 2022, the laboratory presented posters at the 40th Cologne Workshop on Doping Analysis regarding the potential ramifications of metal-sensitive analytes in doping control as well as the detection of testosterone and androstenedione in serum by LC-HRMS.
• In 2023, the laboratory published its findings concerning first time detection of the unapproved selective androgen receptor modulator YK-11 in an athlete’s urine and joined in publishing results concerning the detection of capromorelin after oral or dermal administration.
• In 2024, the laboratory contributed to a published study on the long-term excretion of Roxadustat in urine and shared in presentation of several posters at the 42nd Cologne Workshop on Doping Analysis on topics including athlete exposure to pet medications, carbon isotope ration testing of AICAR-derived ribose and steroid formate derivatives.

UCLA Immunogenetics Center Updates

Clinical

• The laboratory has promoted CLS Aide to take over the evening CLS Supervisor position!
• The CLS trainee program was also re-instituted and the first candidate in the program, Min, has successfully passed her examination to obtain her license.
• A new Faculty member, Dr. Olga Timofeeva, has joined the team. She brings a wealth of knowledge in the Immunogenetics and Histocompatibility field.
• Two new instruments are currently being validated. One is the HLA Pro, provided by One Lambda (Thermo Fisher) and will be used to perform our Single Antigen Antibody testing and the other is the Janus from Revvity which will be used to implement automated aliquoting.
• The laboratory has been planning a construction project for the breakroom and restrooms for the past two years and the work is finally underway!
• A large initiative has been underway to reorganize the lab spaces and to make them more ergonomic. The lab benches have been gradually replaced with height adjustable desks and a 5S system is going to be used to create more organization and efficiency in the workspaces

Reference

• The UCLA Cell Exchange program just celebrated its 50th year this year.
• The Cell Exchange and DNA Exchange programs are in the process of being added as CAP-approved programs for providing Proficiency Testing services to HLA labs both domestically and internationally.

Quality

• An Information Systems Analyst, Tyler, was hired at the end of 2023 and has driven home numerous IT projects with the help from Director Dr. Michelle Hickey. One of these major initiatives was to upgrade our Lab Information System and to enhance functionality to improve clinical workflows.
• IT projects have also been underway to add test orders to CareConnect that were previously performed outside of this platform and billed manually.

New Partnership

In October 2023, UIC on boarded Sharp Transplant Center in San Diego, UIC’s third-largest partner. This resulted in an 11% increase in the number of waitlist candidates they manage. Significant achievements included the establishment of two additional clinical pathways (kidney and heart), and ongoing collaboration and education. The collaborative efforts between the UIC and Sharp were recognized with a Center of Recognized Excellence Award from the Sharp Healthcare System. The award was in recognition of the collaborative efforts between Sharp and UCLA, detailing the significant progress made, particularly for our patients with CPRA ≥90%. The outcome was a 20% increase in transplantation for this group compared to the previous year. Other significant efforts were recognized, including the development of a laboratory data conversion process, the establishment of clinical pathways, and ongoing collaboration and education.

Operational Changes

The Organ Procurement Organization changed its model to support organ allocation to patients based on a Virtual Crossmatch vs a Physical Crossmatch. This new workflow resulted in a roughly 50% increase in Virtual Crossmatches for the laboratory. This new model reduces the turnaround time for test results, making it more efficient for reducing cold ischemia time to improve organ allocation

Publications, Abstracts, & Grants

Publications

• Meghan H Pearl, Lucia Chen, Jonathan E Zuckerman, Patricia L Weng, Eileen T Chambers, Qiuheng Zhang, Elaine F Reed. Non-HLA Antibodies to G Protein-coupled Receptors in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients: Short- and Long-term Clinical Outcomes. Transplantation 2024. PMID: 37527494.
• Qiuheng Zhang, Arlene F Locke, Andrea Carolina Alvarez, Maria Cabarong, Lek Ching Liv, Belen Alfaro, David Gjertson, Elaine F. Reed. Advancing Precision in Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics: A Comprehensive Review of the UCLA Exchange Program. Frontiers in Genetics. January 2024. PMID: 38362203.
• Yuxin Yin, NweNwe Soe, Wen Xiao, Elaine F. Reed, Qiuheng Zhang. HLA-DPB1 Genotype Variants Predict DP Molecule Cell Surface Expression and DP DSA Binding Capacity. Frontiers in Immunology. Front. Immunol. 2024. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu. PMID: 1328533.

Chapter

• Timofeeva, O.A. and Rosen-Bronson, S. (2024). Human Leukocyte Antigen Antibodies. In Manual of Molecular and Clinical Laboratory Immunology (eds J.L. Schmitz, B. Detrick, and M.R.G. O'Gorman). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781683674023.ch113.

Manuscript

• Mary Carmelle Philogene, Olga A. Timofeeva, Idoia Gimferrer, Reut Hod-Dvorai. Assessment of Inter-Laboratory Variability for Flow Cytometric Crossmatch Testing: Lessons Learned from Proficiency Surveys. Human Immunology, Volume 86, Issue 1, 2025, 111176, ISSN 0198-8859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humimm.2024.111176.

Events

• Dr. Elaine Reed chaired, and Drs. Rebecca Sosa and Carrie Butler presented, at the Women in Transplantation session during the American Society of Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (ASHI) annual meeting. Their talk, titled "Beyond the X and Y: A Collaborative Integration of Sex Differences in Transplant Research," explored proposed solutions to address the challenges faced by a group of highly sensitized Asian women currently disadvantaged under the existing kidney allocation system.
• Drs. Reed, Butler, Hickey, and Sosa contributed a published book chapter on non-HLA antibodies in the Manual of Molecular and Clinical Laboratory Immunology, 9th Edition.

Service

Dr. Olga Timofeeva has recently taken on the role of Senior Co-Chair for the American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Quality Assurance and Standards Committee for the 2024–2025 term.

Sarah M. Dry, MD
Chair, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine