Faculty in the KU Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences are currently engaged in a variety of research projects that impact clinical research, as well as interprofessional education and clinical practice.

Dana Baker, M.B.A., M.S., MLS(ASCP)^CM

Baker’s research focuses on the integration of simulation-based education and interprofessional practice into health science curricula. Her work is intended to shift the paradigm of traditional approaches to health science education and diversity-related issues (e.g., identity-based patient bias, underrepresentation in simulation) by bridging core concepts to the future clinical practice of healthcare learners. Visit the Zamierowski Institute for Experiential Learning (ZIEL), for more information on simulation.

Eric Elsinghorst, Ph.D., MPH, MLS(ASCP)^CMMB^CM

Elsinghorst’s research interests are centered on bacterial pathogenesis and in understanding the ways in which bacterial pathogens interact with their hosts to cause disease.

Kasey Edwardson, M.P.H., MLS(ASCP)^CM

Edwardson’s research interests are in the association between health and academic outcomes in higher education, and in the societal, institutional, and individual factors related to student outcomes.

Renee Hodgkins, Ph.D., MT(ASCP)

Dr. Hodgkins’s research is focused on interprofessional education and the downstream impact to healthcare and interprofessional practice. Additionally, she has ongoing research on the development of the Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS), and its impact to patient care and patient outcomes.

Andrew Jones, M.B.A., MLS(ASCP)^CM

Jones’ research focuses on administrative decisions and their effect on medical laboratory scientists. His recent work has looked at the laboratory workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of workplace factors on morale, turnover, and management in the clinical laboratory.

Robin L. Maser, Ph.D.

The focus of Dr. Maser's research is the atypical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) function of Polycystin-1 (PC1) in the pathogenetic mechanism and potential treatment of polycystic kidney disease (PKD). 

Maser Laboratory

Letycia C. Nuñez-Argote, M.P.H., MLS(ASCP)^CM

Nuñez-Argote has designed and evaluated clinical laboratory training interventions in interprofessional education and simulation. She has implemented a number of qualitative and quantitative cross-sectional studies with medical laboratory scientists. Her work on health outcomes of the laboratory workforce studies the impact of workplace factors on pain, burnout, and turnover intent among laboratory professionals.

Brad Pfaltzgraff, M.S., MLS(ASCP)^CMMB

Pfaltzgraff has focused primarily on adapting novel techniques in the immunohematology laboratory for both clinical and educational purposes. His work so far examines diagnostic techniques for direct antiglobulin testing and acid elution. His future outlook is the continued integration of molecular biotechnology and genetics into the field of transfusion medicine.

Hao Zhu, Ph.D.

Zhu Laboratory research focuses on the study of Ncb5or, or NADH-cytochrome b5 oxidoreductase, a novel redox enzyme associated with pathogenesis of lean diabetes.

Zhu Diabetes Research Laboratory