Mary K. Gessford

*** ** ******* **.

Fort Lauderdale, FL. 33315

908-***-**** (C)

Professional Mission:

I am driven to succeed both professionally and personally; my contributions to Preclinical Toxicology in Necropsy, Histopathology, and Immunohistochemistry have been exemplary and repeatedly acknowledged; my persistence in achieving scientific excellence by continuing to further my education is a credit to my personal and professional commitment.

Education and Certification:

Colorado Technical University, Professional Certificate, Change Management Graduate Level, 2007

FL Histotechnologist Licesne Number, TN44649

HTL (ASCP), Certification, 2006

QIHC(ASCP), Certification, 2004

Lewis University, Romeoville, IL, BA, Health Care Leadership, 2003

HT(ASCP), Certification, 1982

Current Employment:

QDxPath, Cranford, NJ, 01/2008 – Present, Histotechnologist.

Clinical Laboratory histology work to include grossing, processing, embedding, microtomy, staining, special stains and Immunohistochemistry.

Merck, Summit, NJ, 11/4/2009 – 12/09/2011

Schering-Plough Corporation, Summit, NJ, 2005 -11/04/2009, Senior Scientist, Supervisor,

Supervise, train, and evaluate the performance of employees working in the necropsy/histology laboratories. Perform mid-year and yearly evaluations as well as screen and interview prospective employees. Responsible for writing and revising the standard operating procedures (SOPs), as well as the laboratory procedures for necropsy/histology. Protocol review, pre-study and project meetings with project management of departmental activities. Schedule departmental daily activities for technical staff in necropsy and histology. Collaborate with Immunohistochemistry group to develop and review protocols. Documentation and histology/Immunohistochemistry quality review.

Previous Experience:

Richard-Allan Scientific, Kalamazoo, MI, 2005, Immunohistochemistry Specialist.

Development and QC of Antibodies for marketing purposes. QC of all Antibody inventory and out going orders. Provided technical support for field reps. and customers. Represented Richard-Allan Scientific at National Society for Histotechnologist in the vendor booth.

Pfizer Kalamazoo, MI, Scientist, 2003-2005, Necropsy Coordinator, prosector and training/education of necropsy/histology personnel in necropsy technique and gross necropsy observations, all phases of histology including development and support of Immunohistochemistry projects, for preclinical WWSS. United Way representive for WWSS Kalamazoo site.

Pharmacia/Mosanto/Searle, Skokie, IL 1996-2003. Research Scientist Histotechnology, Experimental/Anatomic Pathology Lab. Necropsy, Immunohistochemistry, plastic techniques, frozen sections, routine and special histology. Teratology support (including c-sections, postmortems, visceral exams, and training of Biologists in Teratology).

Carle Clinic, Urbana, IL, 1995-1996. Histotechnologist. Immunohistochemistry, general histology, frozen sections, autopsy.

College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathology, 1987-1995. Histotechnologist. Routine and special stain histology, Immunohistochemistry, plastic techniques, frozen sections, teased nerve fiber techniques.

A.E. Staley Company, Decatur, IL, Research and Development Division, 1987. Research Specialist. Surfactant research involving liquid crystals and fluorescent microscopy.

Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc., Decatur, IL, 1983-87. Assistant Supervisor Necropsy and Histotechnologist. Provided necropsy, histology, and pathology support.

ToxiGenics, Inc., Decatur, IL, 1979-83. Assistant Supervisor Necropsy, Pathology Department.

Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories, Inc., Decatur, IL, 1977-79. Necropsy Technician, Pathology Department.

Continuing Education:

Conference of the European Teratology Society (2000, 2006); Illinois Society for Histotechnologists, State Convention (1988-2004); National Society for Histotechnology (1986-20011); Midwest Teratology Association Meeting (1999); Practical Stain Technology Workshop and Seminar, Williamsburg, VA (1990); Ralston Purina Laboratory Animal Care (1979); AALAC (1979).

Special Recognition Awards:

National Society for Histotechnologists, Richard-Allan Educational Scholarship Award, Louisville, KY (2003)

Lewis University, Deans List, Fall 2002, Spring/Summer 2003

Illinois Society for Histotechnologists, Technologist of the Year Chicago, IL (1992)

National Society for Histotechnology, William J. Hacker Memorial Award, For Best Presentation in

Non-Clinical Histology, Monterey, CA (1992)

Invited Speaker:

Tennessee Society for Histotechnology, Townson, TN, “Who’s RITA and Why We Should Get to Know Her”, June, 2008.

New Jersey Society for Histotechnology, Cherry Hill, NJ, “Who’s RITA and Why We Should Get to Know Her”, March, 2007

Illinois Society for Histotechnologists, Peoria, IL, “Histotechnology and the Degree Completion Program”, May 15, 2003.

Anatomic Pathology Group, Skokie, IL, Gross Necropsy Observations Workshop (3-part series), November (2002).

National Society for Histotechnology Annual Symposium/Convention, Workshops and lecture. 1991-2005.

Professional Affiliations and Offices Held:

Illinois Society for Histotechnologists

Vice President, 1996-1998

President, 1994-1996

Chairperson, Meeting Program Committee, 1991-1999

National Society for Histotechnology, Chairperson, Veterinary Session, Region IV Meeting,

Rosemont, IL 1990, Delegate, 1993-1994, Education Committee, 1989-1990, 1992-1994

National Society of Histotechnology, Member

American Society of Clinical Pathologists, Member

Midwest Teratology Association, Member

European Teratology Society, Member

Publications:

Gessford, M. K.: Preparation of Teased Nerves. J Histotechnol 14:05-108, 1991.

Gessford, M. K.: Tech Sample Histotechnology No. HT-4 (1994), American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

Kanwar Nasir M. Khan, Carl L. Alden, Stephanine E. Gleissner, Mary K. Gessford, and Timothy J. Mazias: Effect of Papilotoxic Agents on _Expression of Cyclooxygenase Isoforms in the Rat Kidney, Toxicologic Pathology, VOL. 26, no 1, pp. 137-142, 1998.

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