The Master’s Degree in Molecular Diagnostic Science is made possible in part by support from our generous corporate partners. The MDS Corporate Partners program recognizes the close link between molecular diagnostic testing in the clinical laboratory and the products, services, and technology offered by the private sector. The new MMDS program is important to the leaders in the molecular diagnostics industry because they understand the need for qualified laboratory professionals who can perform molecular tests, bring new assays into a laboratory, and work with issues related to molecular testing, such as information systems.

The support and collaboration of members of the molecular diagnostic industry is very important to the MMDS program. Resources are needed to promote the program to potential students, provide scholarships and awards to students,  fund MDS course instruction, and fund faculty development. In addition, the expertise of leaders in the molecular industry will add to the MMDS students’ understanding of the development and marketing of molecular tests, reagents and instrumentation.

Dr. Thomas Huard, the Scientific Director of Molecular Diagnostics at Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, serves as a member of the CLS Development Advisory Board and was instrumental in the development of the MDS Corporate Partner program. We are also grateful to Allison Foil, a CLS graduate (’00) and member of the Development Advisory Board for her work on the MDS Corporate Partner program. Allison Foil and Tom Huard worked closely with Kyle Gray, the AHS Director of Development in providing information about the program to potential partners.

The 2012 Platinum- and Gold-Level MDS Corporate Partners who made annual contributions and their company representatives are listed below. We are very excited about our partnerships with these leading companies in the molecular diagnostic industry and we are extremely grateful for their support.

		Gen-Probe Brian Hansen, VP of North American Sales
		Quest Diagnostics Dr. Thomas Huard, Scientific Director of Molecular Diagnostics
		Roche Diagnostics Corporation Dr. Johnnie A. Lee, MD, MPH, FACP; Medical Director, Medical & Scientific Affairs

		ZeptoMetrix Corporation Dr. James Hengst, Ph.D., President and CEO
		Abbott Molecular Latreace Grisby, MHA, MT(ASCP), Molecular Account Executive
		BD Molecular Diagnostics Dr. Douglas Malinowski, Ph.D., Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, BD Women's Health and Cancer
		Laboratory Corporation of America Dr. Steven M. Anderson, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer for Oncology and Genetics; Director of Operations - Center for Molecular Biology and Pathology; Senior Vice President, Laboratory Corporation of America
		Association of Public Health Laboratories Ms. Pandora Ray, MA, MPH, Director, National Center for Public Health Laboratory Leadership

For more information about becoming a MDS corporate partner, contact Kyle Gray (919.966-3352 or Kyle_Gray@med.unc.edu).

Download information and a registration form [pdf file]