Jul 13, 2026
Summer program offers glimpse into public health and laboratory science careers
Students learn about impact of public health, laboratory science on patient care, communities
The Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions, recently held a Public Health Summer Program to provide students with the opportunity to learn more about public health and medical laboratory sciences.
The program was funded by the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL). Participants comprised 11 undergraduate students from colleges across Virginia, including Norfolk State University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, VCU, and William and Mary. In addition, one student hailed from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Students represented a variety of majors such as global public health, biology, pre-nursing, and medical laboratory science.
Throughout the week, participants attended lectures given by MLS faculty and community volunteers, including the Virginia state public health laboratory in the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS). In addition, the students worked through a case study of a simulated outbreak at a dining hall in Richmond. This involved uncovering a variety of samples which led them to the discovery that the outbreak was due to E. coli contaminated lettuce.
“My hope is that this program inspired students to see how science, teamwork, and critical thinking come together to protect the health of entire communities,” said Michael Lacy, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences. “By connecting classroom concepts with real-world outbreak investigations, including the kinds of foodborne disease events that continue to make headlines today, I hope students leave with a deeper appreciation for the essential role of public health laboratories and the professionals who work every day to detect, investigate, and prevent disease.”