Clinical and Public Health Microbiology Mentors
Contact one of the clinical microbiologists for clinical or public health microbiology career advice:
Samia N. Naccache, Ph.D., PHM, D(ABMM), M(ASCP)CM
Technical Director, Microbiology and Molecular, LabCorp
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.
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 term runs through 2025. Her complete biography will be posted on this page soon.
Ben T. Bradley, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Pathology and Medical Director, Virology and Molecular Infectious Diseases, University of Utah and ARUP Laboratories
Personal Statement
Ben T. Bradley, M.D., Ph.D., is a board-certified pathologist who is interested in molecular virology, infectious disease histopathology and trainee education. He enjoys sharing his perspective as a laboratory director to help microbiologists understand the importance and clinical impact of their work. When not trapped behind a desk, Bradley is an active trail runner and cyclist along the Wasatch Front.
Patricia Cernoch, MT(ASCP)SM, SV
Manager, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Houston Methodist Hospital
Personal Statement
Pat Cernoch, MT(ASCP)SM, SV'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.
Rachel Hursh, MPH, MLS(ASCP)CM
Clinical Assistant Professor, Medical Laboratory Science Program, Indiana University School of Medicine
Personal Statement
Rachel Hursh, MPH MLS(ASCP)CM, with experience in both the clinical and educational realms, is committed to raising awareness about the medical laboratory science profession and inspiring the next generation of microbiologists. She is passionate about expanding the clinical microbiology workforce through recruitment efforts and helping others navigate their way to certification. Outside of the classroom, Hursh enjoys everything from baking to exploring nearby parks to reading. Her office bookshelf is lined with historical non-fiction that unravel the tales of medical pioneers and their battles against infectious diseases.
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 SMCM
Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Team Leader, 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.
Phyu M. Thwe, Ph.D., D(ABMM), MLS(ASCP)CM
Montefiore Medical Center, Associate Director, Infectious Disease Testing
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.
Jessica Witmier, MLS(ASCP)CM
Senior Technical Specialist, Penn State Health, Hershey Medical Center
Personal Statement
Jessica Witmier, MLS(ASCP)CM, is a senior technical specialist at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. She enjoys teaching and sharing her love for microbiology with medical lab science students, new employees and anyone else who comes through the lab. Witmier loves the constant challenge working in a clinical microbiology lab provides and how the field is continually evolving. She is very passionate about the importance of the microbiology lab and especially loves when a patient case fits the textbook. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys going to Pound classes, reading by the pool, spending time with her husband, son and 2 bulldogs, and beautiful sunsets.