Dozens of students from across the U.S. attended the second UAB Medical Laboratory Science Summer Service program. Jenny Gao, PhD, MLS (ASCP)CM, assistant professor, and Floyd Josephat, EdD, MLS(ASCP), professor, Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, developed and implemented the curriculum specifically for high school students with a keen interest in science.

“The goal is to integrate the concept of service learning into science programs such as the UAB MLS program,” said Josephat, director, UAB M.S. in Medical Laboratory Sciences program. “We offered students an informative, engaging, and hands-on experience where they gained valuable insights, but where they also had the opportunity to practice widely used molecular diagnostic techniques in clinical diagnosis.”

This is the second edition of the MLS Summer Service program. It emphasizes the significance of community service in order to instill a sense of social responsibility. It is designed to empower students to make a positive impact in the communities around their school today and around the areas where they will work and live in the future.

Through the program, the 38 students learned molecular diagnostic techniques with Dr. Jenny Gao, pig feet suturing with Dina DeMarco, MS, PA-C, assistant professor of the UAB Physician Assistant Studies program, health professions majors with Aina Grods, program manager in the UAB School of Health Professions, and Kristin Chapleau, MaE, director of the Office of Student Services and Advising, and much more about the academic and professional experience.

“This summer we saw a lot of students from schools like the Alabama School of Fine Arts, Indian Springs School, and the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School, but our goal next year is to expand the program to bring in more students from underrepresented communities,” said Gao.

In addition to students from schools in the Birmingham and Huntsville/Madison areas, the program attracted students from California, Georgia and Kentucky.