MARQUETTE, Mich.—Catherine Bammert and Lori Nelson, faculty members in Northern Michigan University’s clinical sciences department, recently made notable achievements in their respective areas. Bammert received certification as a molecular biology technician from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP). Nelson completed her doctorate in speech-language pathology from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

Considered the “gold standard” of laboratory professional credentialing, the ASCP molecular biology technologist certification requires a degree from a university accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, clinical training and experience, and successful completion of the certification exam. Bammert earned a certificate in molecular diagnostics from Michigan State University in 2005 and has 23 years of clinical laboratory experience. The molecular biology certification is recognized by the healthcare industry as a significant career achievement and denotes individuals who have demonstrated extensive knowledge in the field of molecular clinical laboratory science.

Nelson’s research interests involve supervision of student clinicians and her dissertation titled “Experiences of Student Speech-Language Pathology Clinicians in the Initial Clinical Practicum: A Phenomenological Study” was approved in the fall of 2011. Nelson has 26 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, working in the United States and Canada in a variety of settings including long-term care, hospitals, home health agencies and schools. She earned her master's degree in audiology and speech sciences from Michigan State University in 1986. She is certified in speech-language pathology by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.