Curative Spotlights its Lab Employees this National Lab Week
10 Minutes
Team Curative
Apr 20, 2021
This year, we celebrate Medical Professional Lab Week from April 18-24, 2021. Throughout the week, we honor medical laboratory professionals and pathologists who play a crucial role in healthcare equity and patient advocacy!
The COVID-19 pandemic has exemplified the dedication and sacrifice of lab professionals, who are the backbone of our operations at Curative. When we first started focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic, we realized a desperate need for additional testing services and reliable and fast reporting. With accurate information on their health, people can make informed decisions on their wellbeing and that of their communities. We’ve achieved this goal through the hard work of our lab teams, who process samples and report results at our three 24-hour facilities in Washington D.C., Texas, and California. Through long nights and sheer determination, their work has directly impacted the course of the pandemic.
We are spotlighting some of the individuals at Curative whose work has made our lab operations possible. As we work to build a healthier tomorrow, together, they are continuing to develop new and innovative healthcare solutions to meet people where they are.
Dr. Arthur Baca Chief Laboratory Officer
What inspired you to be in this field/what sparked your passion for working in a lab?
I have always wanted to make a difference in the world using science. Overseeing the labs at Curative has allowed me to make a large-scale impact as we turn to science for answers to our most pressing questions.
What has your experience been working in a lab setting during a global pandemic?
Working in a lab setting during a pandemic is fast-paced, where we have to be willing to rapidly adjust based on the needs of the communities we serve. I find inspiration from all the talented and dedicated individuals at Curative. What keeps you motivated when the going gets tough (for example, in a high-stress environment)?
When the going gets tough, I take solace in knowing that everything we do is helping address a pandemic! We are actively working to bring our lives back to normal and strengthen the future of healthcare.
Dr. Lee Spraggon Chief Technology Officer
What inspired you to be in this field/what sparked your passion for working in a lab?
“Bench to bedside” is the term I have always focused on. Great translational scientific discoveries can directly impact people’s lives. When presented with the challenge to build and scale COVID-19 testing at Curative, I jumped on it and haven’t looked back!
What was your experience working in a lab setting during a global pandemic?
While the world essentially closed its doors and lockdowns took place, working at Curative presented an opportunity to retain a relatively normal existence working closely with colleagues across the USA in our laboratories. As the pandemic brought unfathomable loss across the globe, I’m grateful to have worked with a talented team to scale COVID-19 testing and make a positive impact to the pandemic by helping to flatten the curve. With vaccines in mass distribution, hope is on the horizon. What keeps you motivated when the going gets tough?
The dedication of the staff at Curative. Walking into the labs and seeing how the staff understand that every tube that arrives is a patient, and every sample processed directly impacts a life.
Dr. Gregg Davis Sr. Director of Systems Engineering
What inspired you to be in this field/what sparked your passion for working in a lab?
I have always been fascinated by infectious diseases and enjoyed solving problems. That combination of interests led me to pursue a career in laboratory-based research. As my career progressed, I gradually transitioned from working at the laboratory bench to helping design, build and run research facilities. Curative has provided me with the opportunity to merge these interests, and take an active role in helping end the pandemic.
What has your experience been working in a lab setting during a global pandemic?
My work during the pandemic has been both incredibly challenging, e.g., building lab capacity on tight timelines, and extremely rewarding. The pandemic has highlighted the need for sound evidence-based solutions to the public health challenges that we face as a global community, and it has been very rewarding to work at Curative and to help provide those solutions. What keeps you motivated when the going gets tough (for example, in a high-stress environment)?
When the going gets tough, I take a minute to reflect on all that we have achieved in such a short amount of time: over 19 million COVID-19 tests performed and 1 million vaccines administered. I also draw motivation from the amazing people that I work with on a daily basis at Curative, all of whom are working tirelessly to provide access to COVID testing and vaccines across the country.
Anna K. Bui Program Manager
What inspired you to be in this field/what sparked your passion for working in a lab?
When the pandemic first happened, I felt so hopeless. No one knew how the future would look like. But then I got the call to join Curative and it’s been such an adventure! Curative provides such a unique opportunity to tangibly affect real lives. The work we do in the lab directly correlates to making a difference for so many individuals.
What has your experience been working in a lab setting during a global pandemic?
It was chaotic in the beginning. I first joined as the Operations Manager and helped with getting different teams set up. We were trying to scale rapidly by opening the labs. Long hours. Late nights. It was all worth it! I transitioned to Program Manager for the recent Next Generation Sequencing lab build in Monrovia. The project moved at a similar pace. We started in November and completed the build in early March. Coordinating building contractors and architects to ensure that the build was completed at an accelerated pace was both rewarding and incredibly challenging. Working with the CSO and the CTO, we encountered numerous hurdles. However, at Curative there is always a general sense of energy and excitement. Therefore, we have been incredibly successful in scaling our operations from COVID testing to building new laboratories across the US. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn and work with such outstanding individuals. The success of these projects would not be possible without them. It’s been a really humbling experience. What keeps you motivated when the going gets tough (for example, in a high-stress environment)?
At the end of the day, the people on my team are the most important to me. They keep me going when things get tough. There’s a special sense of camaraderie that develops when working with a team to end the pandemic. It’s encouraging to know that I am not alone in these struggles of working in a high-stress environment. I’ve met so many amazing people and I’m so lucky to have created a family here. Some of my best friends are from Curative. Focusing on the big picture helps tremendously. There is more work to be done and we have so much potential to make a difference. The company’s mission is very encouraging.
Peter Murray Process Engineering Scientist
What inspired you to be in this field/what sparked your passion for working in a lab?
I was drawn to healthcare research because it allows me to solve complex problems that improve people’s lives. Working in labs is incredibly fulfilling and brings together a lot of like-minded, curious, and passionate people. When the pandemic began and I heard about the lab Curative was opening at George Washington University, I was excited about the opportunity to apply my skills and knowledge to contribute to combatting this virus.
What inspired you to be in this field/what sparked your passion for working in a lab?
I was drawn to healthcare research because it allows me to solve complex problems that improve people’s lives. Working in labs is incredibly fulfilling and brings together a lot of like-minded, curious, and passionate people. When the pandemic began and I heard about the lab Curative was opening at George Washington University, I was excited about the opportunity to apply my skills and knowledge to contribute to combatting this virus.
What has your experience been working in a lab setting during a global pandemic?
It has been a stressful, exciting, and interesting (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime experience. I started as a CLA in the first batch of hires at the George Washington University lab that later moved to our current location, and there have been very few dull moments since. With how quickly things move at Curative, I’ve had the opportunity to work in so many different areas and projects that I never thought I would. What keeps you motivated when the going gets tough (for example, in a high-stress environment)?
When I’m super busy and running from place to place in the lab, focusing on the big picture has helped keep me motivated. It’s easy to forget that each tube represents a patient when dealing with tens or even hundreds of thousands of those tubes from all over the country flowing through the lab daily. My coworkers at Curative have also done a lot to keep me motivated throughout this unique experience. I’ve met some of the most passionate and hardworking people here. Everyone understands the importance of the service we are providing and wants to make sure it is done as precisely and efficiently as possible.
Vipul Bhat Process Engineering Scientist
What inspired you to be in this field/what sparked your passion for working in a lab?
I have been interested in science and healthcare for a long time and intend to pursue a career in medicine. I was drawn specifically to this field by the combination of using scientific principles and thinking critically to solve problems and improve processes in the lab.
What has your experience been working in a lab setting during a global pandemic?
It has been an awesome experience to work for Curative during the pandemic. In addition to gaining more experience in a lab setting, having an immediate and direct impact in aiding the pandemic efforts and working to return the world to normalcy as quickly as possible has been a phenomenal opportunity. What keeps you motivated when the going gets tough (for example, in a high-stress environment)?
Years of competing in cross country and track and field have helped me stay motivated in high-stress situations by taking every move step-by-step. In these environments, I try to focus first on what I have done to get to that point and then on my goal and what I am trying to achieve. Taking things one step at a time has helped me avoid being overwhelmed when situations get tough.
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We thank our hard working lab employees who have kept our operations running smoothly over the past year. Due to your hard work, we’ve been able to process samples in record speed, giving patients the answers they need so they can navigate the pandemic in a way that’s safest for their families and communities. Looking to the future, our lab employees will continue to be the backbone of our operations as we envision a healthier tomorrow, together.
Curative Inc. and its subsidiary, Curative Management Services LLC, engage with medical entities that provide vaccination services.
