Biography

M. Alba received a B.S. degree in Medical Technology (1989) from University of Texas at El Paso. She earned her Master's of Science in Oriental Medicine in 2000 from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine.

She has > 20 years experience working in clinical laboratories as a generalist and a blood banker in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada.
She also ran a private acupuncture and oriental medicine practice for 18 years.

She has been with the Medical Laboratory Sciences program since 2007 and teaches courses in Clinical Immunohematology, Clinical Serology and Clinical Management and Education.

Personal Statement

My twenty plus years in the clinical laboratory science field primarily in blood bank and hematology has provided a foundation of experience to share with students in the medical laboratory science program. I have an interest in developing new and innovative ways of information delivery to the students which range from traditional classroom chalk talk to developing interactive online games to improve critical thinking skills and problem solving.

Areas of Specialty

Transfusion Medicine
Clinical Serology
Clinical Management and Education

Certifications

ASCP Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS CM)
ASCP Blood Bank
NM Board of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Doctor of Oriental Medicine

Achievements & Awards

Medical Education Scholars Program, 2012-2014
UNM CTL Adobe Instructor Design Academy Fellow (Pathology-Medical Laboratory Sciences), 2021-2022

Gender

Female

Languages

  • English

Courses Taught

Clinical Immunohematology (since 2007)
Clinical Serology (since 2008)
Clinical Lab Management (since 2012)
A Career in Laboratory Science ( since 2009)

Research and Scholarship

ASCP Program Development Grants

2019: Real-Time Interactive Lab Experience to Increase Emotional Intelligence and Problem Solving Skills in Medical Laboratory Science Students

2016: Training Medical Laboratory Students in a Rural Setting