Jessica Bless

Assistant Professor

What are you teaching this fall?

Courses within the Applied Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (AMBB) program.

Where did you previously work?

My career has been shaped by a passion for both education and the life sciences. I have served as a senior adjunct professor at my alma mater, Rowan College at Burlington County, for more than 20 years. In addition to my academic experience, my professional background spans the medical diagnostics and biotechnology industries, where I developed expertise in sequencing technologies and their applications.

What drew you to the University of Delaware?

I was particularly drawn to the University of Delaware and the Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences because of its strong commitment to preparing students for careers in laboratory science, diagnostics, biotechnology and other health-related fields. The MMSC Department’s emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning provides an exciting opportunity to connect classroom concepts with real-world applications and to make a meaningful impact on the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals.

What are you most looking forward to in your new position? 

I am thrilled to be part of the UD community and look forward to sharing my experiences and industry perspective with our students. My goal as an educator is to support students throughout their academic journey, help them recognize their potential and provide them with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to achieve their goals.

Michael Lacy

Assistant Professor

What are you teaching this fall?

This fall, I will be teaching Clinical Virology and Immunology lectures and labs (MMSC 415/416); Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease lab (MMSC 270); and the Capstone Research Project (MMSC 815) for graduate students.

Where did you previously work?

Before joining the University of Delaware, I was an assistant professor in the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. There, I taught undergraduate and graduate students, conducted cardiovascular disease research, mentored student research projects and developed educational and outreach programs focused on laboratory medicine and public health.

What inspired you to work in medical laboratory science and academia?

My initial background was in biology, but I was eventually drawn to medical laboratory science (MLS) for its unique combination of science, medicine and problem-solving, with a tangible impact on healthcare. I went on to earn a graduate degree and my generalist certification in medical laboratory science and spent several years working in the clinical laboratory.

While I valued my time in clinical practice, I missed the process of scientific discovery and ultimately decided to return to graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. My doctoral research focused on translational immunology, specifically investigating the role of epigenetic regulation in T-cell polarization during atherosclerosis. Through these experiences, I developed a particular passion for immunology and for understanding how discoveries about the immune system can bridge the laboratory and the clinic to improve our understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.

What inspired you to transition from the lab into academia? 

My experiences working in both clinical and research laboratories gave me a strong appreciation for the importance of well-trained laboratory professionals. As my career progressed through clinical practice and research, I realized how much I enjoyed teaching and mentoring students. Academia allows me to bring those experiences together.

What drew you to the University of Delaware?

I was drawn to the University of Delaware because of the unique position of the Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences. Many medical laboratory science programs across the country are relatively small, so Delaware presents a great opportunity to train a large number of laboratory professionals in a variety of disciplines. Given my background, I appreciate the opportunity to train students in preparation for clinical, research or industry careers.

What are you most looking forward to in your new position? 

I am most looking forward to getting to know the students and my new colleagues. I am also excited to develop new collaborations, contribute to the MLS program, and continue finding ways to connect teaching, research, and real-world laboratory practice.

Tell us about your research program and how it became your passion. 

Recently, my research program has focused on outreach programs to increase awareness of the medical laboratory science profession. I am hopeful to continue similar programs at Delaware and introduce students to opportunities that they may not necessarily have known about before.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

As a first-generation college student, I am very proud to have successfully navigated undergraduate and graduate school and ultimately earned a Ph.D. in a field that I am truly interested in. I was incredibly lucky to have family that encouraged and supported me in this career path. At Delaware, I would love to advocate for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to accomplish this as well.

What do you hope your students learn from you, and what have you learned from your students over the years? 

I hope my students leave my courses with more than just knowledge of laboratory science. I want them to understand why the laboratory matters, to be comfortable asking questions and to develop the critical-thinking skills needed to approach unfamiliar problems. I also hope they recognize how much their work can influence individual patients and the broader healthcare system.

My students have taught me that there is rarely one way to teach a concept. By presenting new and challenging questions, the students have helped me develop new teaching methods for my classroom and laboratory. They have reinforced the importance of being willing to adapt and experiment as an educator.

What do you like to do for fun? 

Outside of work, I am an avid traveler. Previously, I had the opportunity to live in Germany for several years and used that opportunity to visit as many different cities and countries as possible, experiencing the unique food and culture across Europe. I recently visited Japan and am eager to explore more of Asia as well.

Additionally, I am looking forward to joining a few sports leagues in the Philadelphia area in my spare time. In particular, I am a big basketball fan, so I am also excited to attend a few 76ers games this winter.