What can YOU do with a degree from KU? Here students interested in Clinical Laboratory Science can learn about KU graduates currently working in exciting places as real-world professionals of this advanced field of study.

PROFESSIONALS IN CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE CAREERS

Name	Tim Geary
Age	43
Title	Director of Research Operations, Stowers Institute, Kansas City, Mo. (2002-present)
Education/ Training	BS Medical Technology (CLS) Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, Texas MBA Wayland Baptist University Plainview, Texas
Hobbies & Interests	Hiking

1.How did you get the job you have now?

I was working as Manager of Administrative Services with Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Dallas, Texas, when I was presented with an opportunity to work in a new start up research facility in Kansas City. The opportunity to work at a new facility with great potential was extremely appealing to me.

After getting my bachelor’s degree, I had worked 2 years in a hospital clinical lab. Then I worked as a technical specialist for a biomedical equipment company for 4 years. Subsequently, I worked for the Red Cross (while getting my MBA), beginning in small blood center I was able to work in all facets of blood services including reference lab work and eventually becoming Chief Operating Officer for the Texas Division of Red Cross in Dallas, Texas. From the Red Cross, I went to Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

2.What about your CLS education/background helps you most in this job?

The CLS background provides the foundation of good fundamental science education that has been critical to understanding the needs and work of scientists. An equally important component provided by my degree and experience in medical technology (CLS) is the extensive knowledge of scientific instrumentation that I use on a daily basis.

3.Describe your typical day.

I have a variety of duties and responsibilities as Director of Research Operations. Currently I am project manager for the Phase III building project at Stowers, which entails adding 25 new (research) labs. I meet with the architects regularly, go over plans, budgets, review progress, and coordinate the decision making process.

I am responsible for many of the support functions for our laboratories so I interact with a variety of departments on a regular basis including Purchasing, Equipment Management, Library Services, Laboratory Services, Technology Centers, and Staffing and Immigration.

I also monitor the budgets for all the laboratories and support departments. I am the Institutional Official for IACUC and participate in the various safety committees.

4.What do you like about your job?

I like to provide exceptional customer service so I enjoy setting up the processes, systems and culture that make it possible. The research laboratories are my customers and my job is to create an environment that allows the scientists to focus on the doing science.

5.What advice do you have for people who want to do what you do?

If you want to become involved in management, it is my advice that you continue your education beyond the bachelor’s degree (i.e. a professional degree or other graduate degree). In my case, it was the MBA, which provided the understanding for the accounting, financial, and organizational aspects of management to complement my technical and scientific knowledge.

Grisel Lopez, MD
Neurologist,
National Institutes of Health

Tim Geary
Director of Research Operations,
Stowers Institute

Shirley H. Weber
Director of Clinical Laboratories,
The University of Kansas Hospital

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