Join CSMLS for a virtual event focused on Career Growth and Navigation, featuring industry leaders from across the country!

We’ll broadcast expert-led sessions to you so you can earn continuing education hours from the comfort of your home or lab.

Wednesday June 17, 2026 1100 - 1600 (ET)

Session 1 - From Student to Professional: Thriving in Your First Years in the Lab

Session 2 - Beyond the Bench: Exploring Careers in the Industry

Session 3 - Leading the Lab: Growing from Technologist to Leader

Session 4 - A Lifetime in the Lab: Reflections, Lessons & Legacy

From Student to Professional: Thriving in Your First Years in the Lab

Transitioning from student to practicing professional is exciting — and sometimes overwhelming. In this session, Alexis shares honest insights about the first few years in the lab, including surprises, challenges, and the skills that truly matter in practice. Attendees will gain practical advice to build confidence, adapt quickly, and start their careers strong.

Speaker bio: Alexis Iob, MLA

Alexis is a Medical Laboratory Assistant who launched her career immediately after graduating from the Medical Laboratory Assistant program in 2023. Within two weeks of receiving her certification, she began working at the very hospital where she completed her placement.

Since then, Alexis has worked with the Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association (EORLA), which encompasses 18 hospital laboratories across Eastern Ontario. Her experience spans both small rural hospitals and a mid‑sized urban site in Ottawa, giving her a broad perspective on diverse laboratory environments.

Alexis currently serves as a Regional Project Coordinator with the Ontario Regional Blood Coordinating Network (ORBCoN), supporting transfusion medicine initiatives across the region. Alongside her coordination work, she continues to work part‑time in two hospital laboratories, allowing her to stay closely connected to bench work while also contributing to the administrative and operational aspects of transfusion medicine.

Beyond the Bench: Exploring Careers in the Industry

Curious about career paths outside of traditional lab roles? This session explores opportunities in the vendor space. Hear firsthand how laboratory experience translates into new environments, the do’s and don’ts of working with labs from the vendor side, and what to consider if you’re thinking about making a move beyond the bench.

Speaker bio: Mikalis Mousouliotis

Miki (Mikalis) Mousouliotis began his career as a Medical Laboratory Technologist before transitioning into teaching within medical laboratory programs. After several years in education, he chose to pivot into sales, starting outside healthcare in pest control sales to build core selling and customer‑relationship skills. That experience opened the door to medical sales with BD, marking his entry into the diagnostics industry. Today, Miki is the Western Canada Business Director for Beckman Coulter, leading regional strategy and supporting laboratories across Western Canada.

Leading the Lab: Growing from Technologist to Leader

What does it take to move from technical expert to effective leader? In this session, Stephanie shares her career journey, leadership philosophy, and lessons learned along the way. Discover the skills, mindset, and experiences that help prepare lab professionals for leadership roles in today’s evolving healthcare environment.

Speaker Bio: Stephanie Fenech, MLT

Stephanie is an Application Specialist at Unity Health Toronto, where she works with the Epic Electronic Health Record System. She has over 19 years of experience as a Medical Laboratory Technologist and has held various formal and informal leadership roles both within and outside the laboratory setting. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys mentoring new technologists, sewing, and creating content for her YouTube channel, Heme Ed.

A Lifetime in the Lab: Reflections, Lessons & Legacy

Join Maria, a retired laboratory professional as she reflects on a meaningful career in medical laboratory science. From pivotal moments and industry changes to mentorship and personal growth, this session offers valuable perspective on building a long, fulfilling career — and the legacy you leave behind.

Speaker Bio: Maria Klement, MLT

Maria attended NAIT in Edmonton and received her MLT certification in 1980.  She began her career working in the Hematology department at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Alberta.   Adventure and needing more out of life she moved and changed jobs.  Her career spanned 40 years, 3 provinces, further education and many different positions in the laboratory.  Volunteering was a large part of her life both in her local community as well as professionally.  Maria has held lab professional board positions locally, provincially, nationally and internationally.  She has retired from the lab profession but still sits on many health committees.

All sessions will be recorded and made available to registrants.

• Contact:
  Emily Allen