Leah Williams, a senior at Old à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã University, is one of five medical laboratory science students nationwide awarded a $2,000 scholarship by the American Proficiency Institute (API).
"Whether the gift of a microscope at age 5 or a high school mentor or a Science Olympiad competition, a spark was ignited in these students," API President Daniel C. Edson said. "We are pleased to provide these scholarships as they pursue clinical laboratory careers."
For Williams, it was that microscope gift that provided inspiration.
"My uncle gifted me a basic microscope along with a box of slides," she said. "I was hooked on spending hours immersed with microscopy. It's when I knew I wanted to be a medical scientist."
Barbara Kraj, associate professor and program director of ODU's Medical Laboratory Science program in the School of Medical Diagnostic and Translational Sciences, believes Williams has a bright career ahead of her.
"I definitely envision her in a laboratory leadership role in the future," Kraj said.
The API serves more than 20,000 laboratories worldwide, addressing proficiency testing needs of hospital and reference laboratories, physician offices, clinics and point-of-care testing sites.
