TEST AHEAD OF THE REST...
gets started from the bottom up and all the details that go into making a high-throughput diagnostic lab successful, and I have been able to use some of the newest, state-of-theart equipment involving sample processing. I am a part of an amazing team that is making an impact on the history of UNH.” As of November 20, when most students headed home for Thanksgiving break and to finish their classes and take finals remotely, the UNH lab had completed nearly 273,000 tests for COVID-19. Combined with the weekly testing of faculty and staff by ConvenientMD, the university was able to quickly identify positive cases, isolate infected individuals and use contact tracing to quarantine those exposed. UNH’s COVID-19 testing and tracing program received national attention for its success in keeping on-campus instruction safe for the UNH community. In December, the lab began providing testing for 30 long-term care facilities and shelters throughout New Hampshire. Along with the thousands of tests handled daily for the UNH community, the lab expects to process up to 1,000 tests a day for the state. With the acquisition of a state-of-the-art sequencer, the lab has also expanded its testing capabilities to identify newly emerging variants of the virus. “Looking back, it’s amazing how the dedication and expertise of COLSA faculty and staff, as well as the exuberant participation of COLSA students and alumni, came together so quickly to help create this world-class molecular diagnostics lab,” Thomas says.
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NEW ALUM JOINS EFFORT TO KEEP CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY SAFE Isabelle Banker graduated in 2019 with a degree in biomedical science: medical microbiology and a Spanish minor. She is from Lee, New Hampshire.
COLSA: What is your role in UNH’s COVID-19 diagnostic lab, and what are your responsibilities?
Isabelle: As a medical laboratory technician, I work alongside fellow technicians and clinical laboratory assistants to ensure timely and organized processing of nasal swab samples, which are dropped off every two hours each day.
COLSA: How has this experience been valuable for you?
Isabelle: I have improved my ability to work productively with a diverse group of people, and I am grateful that I can apply my knowledge and skills to help manage the spread of SARSCoV-2 and serve the public health needs of my community.
COLSA: Has living though a pandemic changed your perspective regarding the future of human health?
Isabelle: I believe this pandemic has reminded us all that personal decisions about our health can have long-lasting effects that impact others as well. I’m optimistic about the future of human health as our society continues to learn and grow from this experience, and I’m looking forward to continuing to promote health in my community and around the world.
COLSA: What role do you think having an on-campus lab has played in UNH’s ability to manage the spread of COVID-19?
Isabelle: The on-campus lab can quickly identify positive cases and initiate an immediate quarantine and treatment of infected and associated individuals, which has been instrumental in limiting the spread of COVID-19 and keeping campus safe and open.
