This letter from Julie Randolph-Habecker recommends Kim Melton for a position. Ms. Melton has worked as a histology technician for 13 years at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, where she has excelled. She was the first to master multiple-color immunofluorescence staining a decade ago. As needs have changed, Ms. Melton has taken on additional responsibilities like digital pathology and image analysis, mastering multiple systems. She is well respected by colleagues and investigators for her expertise, high quality work, and collaborative nature. Dr. Randolph-Habecker gives Ms. Melton her highest recommendation.

1. June 15, 2016
To Whom It May Concern,
I have had the pleasure of working with Kim Melton since 2005. As the Director of Experimental
Histopathology for 13 years, I have had the pleasure of working with many outstanding histology
technicians and Ms. Melton has proven to be one of the most outstanding members of my team.
Experimental Histopathology is a shared resource at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
that provides routine and custom histology, immunohistochemistry, and digital pathology
support. The laboratory collaborates with over 80 faculty members as well as other academic
institutions, organizations, and companies locally and across the country. The lab has expertise
in human tissue as well as animal models and complex systems such as xenografts and patient
derived xenografts (PDX). Because of this climate, the laboratory staff must be creative and
nimble.
Ms. Melton is a truly gifted immunohistochemist and her immense experience has propelled the
technology of our lab forward. She was the first to master multiple-color immunofluorescence
(IF) on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue in my lab a decade ago. When faced with the
need to construct a triple IF with three rabbit antibodies, Ms. Melton poured over the literature
and synthesized an elegant technique to address this challenge. Her meticulous nature ensured
that the assay was tested and that all of the required controls were in place. She has shared her
valuable expertise in this area by teaching advanced staining techniques for several years at the
National Society for Histotechnology national convention.
As the needs of the investigators we support have changed, Ms. Melton has risen to the
challenge becoming the point-person for digital pathology. As the Technical Lead for this
service, she is responsible for the smooth day-to-day operations of the service including
maintaining the scanning equipment, training users to operate equipment and software,
overseeing scheduling, and processing billing.
Ms. Melton truly shines in her capacity as the lead for image analysis service. She has
mastered several image analysis systems; diving deep into material from many sources until
she has comprehensive knowledge of each program. She then utilizes her broad knowledge of
histology and immunohistochemistry to construct customized algorithms to meet the
requirements of individual projects.
She is very collegial and well respected by the investigators, fellows, technicians, and students.
Ms. Melton is quick to offer her lab mates help with solving problems and she is well liked by her
peers. She has a great deal of integrity and her work is always the high quality.

2. I would whole heartedly recommend her to any position.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Julie Randolph-Habecker, Ph.D.
Director and Staff Scientist
Experimental Histopathology Shared Resources
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
1100 Fairview Ave N, DE360
Seattle WA 98109
Cell: 206-551-0667
jhabecke@gmail.com