Oliveira at ASCLS ConferenceAna Oliveira, DrPH, assistant professor in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences program, has been honored by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science as a National Key to the Future honoree. The award is given to newer ASCLS members who are establishing themselves as leaders in their own organization.

"It is a great honor to receive this award. Many people do not know the crucial work clinical laboratory professionals do every day, and how integral they are to the health care team," said Oliveira. "It is invigorating to actively participate in a professional society such as ASCLS whose mission is to assure excellence in the practice of laboratory medicine."

(Pictured L/R: CLS Program Director Floyd Josephat, 2014 National Key winner Tera Webb, Oliveira, student Jason Frasier, CDS Chair Janelle Chiasera)


While Oliveira is a newer member of ASCLS, she has extensive experience as a bench research scientist in the area of infectious diseases as well as a clinical researcher in the area of rheumatology. Previously she was a senior epidemiologist for the Alabama Department of Public Health responsible for outbreak investigation and response plus communicable disease surveillance.

“To have been acknowledged and identified by our professional organization as a key to their future is impressive and further affirms the quality of work and leadership provided by Dr. Oliveira,” said Janelle Chiasera, Ph.D., chair, Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences. “In the short period of time she has been with UAB she has built a solid foundation of teaching excellence and it is incredible to watch her extend that excellence to her professional society.”

This is the second year in a row that ASCLS gives the prestigious honor to a UAB instructor. Last year, Tera Webb, MLS(ASCP)cm, a teacher in the CLS program, also received the award.