Samah Ali

I have been in my field for 24 years, all of which was focused on clinical lab work until recently. On September 15th, 2025, I started a new role as a Quality Control Technologist in the manufacturing section at the American Red Cross. In this position, I make sure that the products we manufacture are fit to be released for patients in hospitals - it's a big responsibility because any mistake in our field is life-threatening. We manufacture products that will be transfused to patients, specifically those with cancer and other conditions, so I have to make sure everything is okay. We have lots of reviews where I review for my colleagues and they review for me as a double check. While I'm proud of what I'm doing and learning something new, it's challenging when you're doing things for 24 years and then you move in and start over again for something that is totally new. I wanted to do it for that reason - to learn something new. I'm doing pretty good based on the feedback I get. If I had to pick one notable professional achievement, it would be becoming a clinical laboratory scientist. If I get a better chance to go back to my clinical work, I would do that because it's a completely different aspect that makes me think differently and be productive in a different way.