Lab Link

Vol. 10, No. 1

Jan. 2018

Archive

April 2019

UI names Pentella as interim SHL director

Michael Pentella, a clinical professor of epidemiology in the University of Iowa College of Public Health and former associate director of the State Hygienic Laboratory, has been named the SHL interim director, the University of Iowa Office of the Vice President for Economic Development (OVPRED) announced in December.

UI confers emeritus status on Director Atchison

The University of Iowa announced on Jan. 4 that it has conferred emeritus status on State Hygienic Laboratory Director Christopher Atchison as he prepares to retire from the SHL and the University of Iowa, effective Jan. 5. Atchison was also recently named Clinical Professor Emeritus by the University of Iowa College of Public Health.

Influenza activity continues to increase in Iowa, and is widespread for the third week in a row, Iowa Department of Public Health reported on Jan. 19. Levels of influenza activity in the state are close to, or have surpassed, last year’s peak.

Officials confirm measles in Midwest and South

Four cases of measles recently have been confirmed in the Midwest and Arkansas. Health officials in Illinois announced unrelated cases of measles were confirmed in two passengers who arrived in Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10.

Researchers investigate safety of new technology

The State Hygienic Laboratory recently joined seven other state public health labs to study the safety and accuracy of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry in identifying dangerous organisms. Wanda Reiter Kintz, director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, led the Hygienic Lab team in the national study supported by the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the CDC.

Essay winners to receive Lakeside course credit and monetary prize

The Iowa Water Center invites Iowa high school students to enter its “Spirit of the Water High School Essay Contest,” and share a story of how water inspires them. Entries are due Feb. 5 at 5 p.m.

Lakeside to host Winter Family Fest on Jan. 27

Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Regents Resource Center at West Okoboji will celebrate the winter season on Saturday, Jan. 27 with its Lakeside Winter Family Fest.

Photo Feature: The year that was

The events of 2017 reflect how SHL fulfills its mission to protect and improve “the quality of life by providing reliable environmental and public health information through the collective knowledge and capabilities of our organization.” Here are some highlights of this work from 2017.