{"id":21514,"date":"2026-04-23T08:43:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T12:43:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/cels\/?p=21514"},"modified":"2026-04-23T08:44:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T12:44:00","slug":"uri-medical-laboratory-science-students-turn-curiosity-into-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/cels\/news\/uri-medical-laboratory-science-students-turn-curiosity-into-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"URI Medical Laboratory Science Students Turn Curiosity into Impact"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At the University of Rhode Island, students in the Medical Laboratory Science <\/a>(MLS) program are stepping into one of healthcare\u2019s most essential roles: delivering the data that drives diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes.

Medical laboratory scientists are healthcare professionals who perform complex analyses on blood, tissue, and other bodily samples to detect disease, guide treatment decisions, and monitor patient health. An estimated 60% to 70% of all medical decisions affecting patient care are based on laboratory test results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That influence is already evident in the work of URI\u2019s MLS students, who are actively contributing to the field while still in training. At the recent American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science – Central New England regional conference, URI seniors Britney Carlson and Katherine Buffum recently showcased their research highlighting the critical role laboratory professionals play in complex and often life-threatening conditions. Their research posters tied for third place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carlson focused on global disparities in diagnosing and treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive blood cancer that disrupts the body\u2019s ability to produce functional white blood cells. While diagnosis and treatment in the United States rely on advanced and often costly technologies, she found that patients in under-resourced countries face significant barriers. \u201cSome of the main challenges include a lack of modern testing accessibility, geographic barriers, early mortality due to infection, and treatment options that are high-cost or, plainly, inaccessible,\u201d she says. These inequities contribute to dramatically lower survival rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her research points toward solutions grounded in collaboration and innovation, including expanding access to affordable diagnostic tools, increasing international clinical trial participation, and standardizing care. \u201cThere is potential to reduce mortality and improve equity in AML care worldwide,\u201d Carlson says.<\/p>\n\n\n

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URI’s Katherine Buffum tied with Carlson for third place for research on hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Buffum\u2019s project examined a rare but serious condition known as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), which can mimic other illnesses and make diagnosis particularly challenging. Drawn to the overlap of hematology and immunology, she wanted to better understand how laboratory science supports clinicians in these complex cases. \u201cWhen people have broad symptoms and aren\u2019t getting any better, doctors and nurses need a lot more information to guide diagnosis and treatment\u2013that\u2019s where we come in as laboratory professionals,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her research revealed just how central lab work is to identifying HLH. \u201cAnywhere from half to three-quarters of the information used for HLH diagnosis comes from laboratory testing,\u201d Buffum says, pointing to techniques ranging from serum chemistry analysis to microscopic examination of blood and bone marrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While their research topics differ, both students note that they were drawn to MLS by a shared desire to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carlson\u2019s interest began early, but it wasn\u2019t until her junior year that she discovered the field. \u201cI heard about the medical laboratory science major at URI my junior year and switched into it as soon as I could after learning what a gem of a career it is,\u201d she says. The balance of scientific rigor and real-world application appealed to her. \u201cMLS provides the medical knowledge foundation I was looking for with the ability to go straight into a rewarding career with lots of opportunities for growth and further education if desired,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buffum found her path through community involvement. As a regular blood donor, she became curious about the work happening beyond the donation chair. \u201cI wanted to know what kind of work organizations like the Rhode Island Blood Center and local hospitals do behind the scenes to get resources and results out for the community,\u201d she explains. \u201cIt ended up being the perfect intersection of my childhood interest in medicine, lifelong exposure to technology and ongoing community involvement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both students emphasize a shared message: laboratory science is foundational to modern medicine. \u201cThere is so much more to healthcare than the patient-facing side,\u201d Buffum says. \u201cThis field is an amazing opportunity to make a difference in the quality and effectiveness of patient care.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From global cancer disparities to rare disease diagnosis, two University of Rhode Island seniors highlight how laboratory science drives patient care with essential data.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1089,"featured_media":21517,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21514","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/cels\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21514","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/cels\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/cels\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/cels\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1089"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/cels\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21514"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/cels\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21514\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21519,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/cels\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21514\/revisions\/21519"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/cels\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21517"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/cels\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21514"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/cels\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21514"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/cels\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21514"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}