The document discusses the most challenging aspects of jobs for young scientists in laboratory medicine. Three scientists discuss their challenges: helping clinicians make diagnoses quickly, properly prioritizing responsibilities as an academic, and managing time constraints. A fourth discusses the transition to being a laboratory director from an individual contributor. The document also asks about predictions for treating cancer in the future.

1. Quo Vadis?
Quo Vadis?
The “Quo Vadis?” feature will allow young scientists (40 years of age and younger) the opportunity to express their
opinions on the future of laboratory medicine. Below are select responses.
What aspect of your job do you find most challenging?
“The most challenging aspect of my job is “Proper utilization of personal resources is “The most challenging aspect of my job,
helping clinicians move from a differential diag- the most challenging part of my job. As an aca- thus far, has been my transition from a trainee to
demic clinical chemist, one experiences concomi- a lab director. The authority to make decisions,
nosis towards a confirmed diagnosis in the tant opportunities. We all have professional de-
quickest possible time.” —Moushumi Lodh, the responsibility of making the correct decision,
mands on our time (e.g., clinical responsibilities, and the expectation to deliver them upon imme-
West Bengal, India advocating for the clinical laboratory and its em- diate request have weighed heavily on me and
ployees, teaching and mentoring, conducting re-
search and publishing, serving the university and could, at times, be overwhelming. I soon learned
national organizations). Learning to recognize that how to defer decisions I was not comfortable
one’s abilities to fulfill obligations is limited, and making so data could be collected, colleagues
therefore prioritizing the importance of these obli- could be consulted, and more information gath-
gations is certainly challenging. While flexibility in ered to make informed decisions in a time frame
responding to changing demands is paramount, I was comfortable with.”—Darci R. Block, Roch-
how one deals with this constant juggling of prior- ester, MN
ities will ultimately shape the direction of that per-
son’s career.”—Joshua Bornhorst, Little Rock, AR
2013 Question #1
Cancer has been around for
centuries, and over the last 50
years many optimistic views
have been expressed regard-
ing breakthroughs that would
dramatically reduce the bur-
“The most challenging aspect of my job is “The most challenging aspect so far in my
den of cancer. Most predic-
the time constraints. There are so many tasks to budding career was to adapt to my new role as the tions for finding a cancer
get done and oftentimes not enough time to laboratory director—a transition from an indi- cure have not yet been real-
complete everything as planned. However, I have vidual contributor to an organizational leader. ized, however. Do you think
found that making a to-do list and crossing Being an effective laboratory director requires a that cancer will become a
things off as they’re completed are very helpful. different focus on perspectives, behaviors, and
When all is said and done, I may not have accom- relationships compared to being a trainee. For highly treatable disease in the
plished everything on my list, but it keeps me instance, my value to the organization is no lon- future? If so, when do you pre-
focused and helps me manage the time more ef- ger determined solely by my individual perfor- dict that will happen? Five, 10,
ficiently.”—Brenda Suh-Lailam, Salt Lake City, mance, but by my team’s productivity and effec- 15, or 20 years from now?
UT tiveness. Understanding the team members’
personalities, motivations, strengths, and weak- E-MAIL YOUR ANSWER
nesses has become as important, if not more so, AND A PHOTOGRAPH OF
as the technical aspects of operating a laborato-
ry.”—Yan Zhang, Rochester, NY YOURSELF TO:
quovadis@aacc.org
Answers must be submitted by
January 18, 2013. Please in-
clude your full name and ad-
dress with all submissions.
DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2012.199034
332 Clinical Chemistry 59:1 (2013)