Published April 7, 2025
CAPTION:2nd place Student Bowl team (left to right): Lakayja Dupree, Alicia Williams, Kayleigh Watson (team captain), Bishal Bhandari, Jacinth
Ervin, and Czen Tripathi
MONROE, LA – The University of Louisiana Monroe Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) faculty and students
visited Lafayette, La. for the annual American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
(ASCLS) of Louisiana and Mississippi 2025 Bi-State Annual Meeting from March 16-19.
Twenty-four MLS students represented ULM at the conference.
The ULM MLS Professional Program entered four student bowl teams into the student
bowl competition. Many teams from Mississippi and Louisiana competed for the first-place
trophy. For many weeks, these teams practiced team strategy and spent hours studying
the MLS didactic material. One of the ULM MLS teams earned second place. The members
of the 2nd place team are Kayleigh Watson (captain), Bishal Bhandari, Lakayja Dupree, Jacinth
Ervin, Czen Tripathi, and Alicia Williams.
During the meeting, three ULM MLS students were elected as officers for the Louisiana
Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (LSCLS): Miracle Alexander – Ascending Professional
Chair, Julia Johnson – Ascending Professional Co-Chair, and Jacob Lawrence – Ascending
Professional Secretary. These three students will have the opportunity to attend the
ASCLS Joint Annual Meeting (JAM) in Sacramento, Calif., this summer, and in their
LSCLS positions, will work to promote and support the MLS profession.
Many ULM MLS students received honors during the awards ceremony. Jacinth Ervin, a
second-year MLS student, was announced as the 2025 LSCLS Student of the Year. Ervin
and Lakayja Dupree received the Keys to the Future award.
Two MLS first-year MLS students received a $150 award for writing a student research
paper. Miracle Alexander’s paper is titled “Case Study: HELLP Syndrome.” Vittoria
Valderrama won two student paper awards. Her papers are titled “Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Enterocolitis in a 16-month-old boy,” and “Efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy Injections vs. Corticosteroid Injections
in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.”
Miracle Alexander, a year-one MLS Professional Program student, stated, “In the seven
short months as a student in the Medical Laboratory Science program here at ULM, attending
the Bi-State Meeting between Louisiana and Mississippi was one of the most engaging
experiences I could have ever asked for. To be in a space that brings together students,
educators, and professionals in the medical laboratory field was extremely validating
and rewarding. Seeing so many people from so many walks of life come together for
their love of this career is an inspiring reminder of the bright future in Medical
Laboratory Science!”
Katie Patrick, Assistant MLS Faculty, presented an immunohematology Board of Certification
review at one of the educational sessions.
The meeting in Lafayette was attended by many of the ULM MLS faculty and alumni. Jessica
Lasiter, ULM MLS Program Director, stated, “Each year, I am blown away by the dedication
of our MLS students. Several educators at the bi-state meeting approach me asking,
‘How does ULM consistently produce competent and ethical medical laboratory scientists?’
Quickly, I respond by saying our students are the best and our MLS faculty unswervingly
display a strong passion for the medical laboratory science field.”
Student attendance at the conference was made possible by a $3,500 scholarship awarded
by the ULM Student Enhancement Activity Fee Committee.
A medical laboratory scientist is responsible for examining and analyzing blood, body
fluids, tissues, and cells. They perform a wide range of laboratory tests that aid
in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases. Their primary responsibility
involves conducting complex analyses on patient samples using varied laboratory equipment
and techniques. Other responsibilities include relaying test results to physicians,
utilizing microscopes, cell counters, and other high-precision laboratory equipment,
cross-matching blood for transfusion, and monitoring patient outcomes.
The ULM Medical Laboratory Science Program is currently accepting applications for
the 2025-2026 academic year. 100% of ULM MLS graduates are employed within three months
of graduation. Learn more about the program and apply at www.ulm.edu/mls.
CAPTION: A total of 24 ULM MLS students attended the bi-state meeting in Lafayette.
