Students work in a medical technology lab in 1991.

75 years strong

Article by Amy Cherry Photos courtesy of University Archives and Record Management April 23, 2025

Medical and Molecular Sciences celebrates 75 years of innovations that transform science and save lives

Pasquale “Pat” Barbato is one of the oldest living alumni of the University of Delaware Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences (MMSC).

A proud Delaware native, Barbato met his wife of 58 years during a clinical rotation. He graduated from UD in 1963 with a bachelor of science in medical technology (MT). The major is now known as medical laboratory science (MLS).

“The MT program was a great way to work in medicine without spending half my life in medical school,” said Barbato, who later worked at Wilmington Hospital.

Nearly a decade later, Cheryl Katz followed in his footsteps, earning her MT degree from UD in 1972. She said the program gave her a solid foundation and left her feeling confident as she entered the workforce.

“The strength of our training stemmed from hands-on exposure to instrumentation and a solid foundation in the sciences,” said Katz, who retired as vice president of pathology and laboratory services at ChristianaCare. “We didn’t just learn the testing procedure — we understood the theory behind how clinical diagnoses, such as leukemia, are made in the lab. That set UD graduates apart.”

In their careers, both Barbato and Katz looked forward to welcoming Blue Hens into their labs.

“We always knew what we were getting: high-performing, tech-savvy employees,” Barbato said. “They were the future and helped keep us on our toes.”

“It was always delightful to have students come into the lab environment,” Katz said. “The hands-on experience in a working hospital lab was beneficial to the UD students and rewarding for the MLS lab staff. I think students valued their time at ChristianaCare because it exposed them to so much.”

The same strong reputation continues today as the MMSC Department celebrates 75 years of science saving lives.

The Class of 1994, which included Michael Healy, now director of blood bank services at ChristianaCare, poses in front of Wilmington Hospital on Recognition Day, which was the precursor to Convocation.

“UD students have the best reputation for being well-prepared in both theory and hands-on lab skills,” said Michael Healy, a 1994 graduate and director of blood bank services at ChristianaCare.

And that legacy will continue.

"As the Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences celebrates 75 years of excellence, we remain committed to innovation, education, and enhancing healthcare outcomes," said CHS Dean Bill Farquhar. “Our history of success not only honors our past accomplishments but also drives our commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists and leaders who will shape the future of health.”

From humble beginnings to a national model

Professor Emeritus James Kakavas founded UD’s medical technology program in 1949.

The MT program, one of UD’s founding majors, was established in 1949 by the late Professor Emeritus James Kakavas in UD’s College of Arts and Sciences. It was initially a hospital-based program in collaboration with what’s now known as Christiana Hospital.

The program has expanded significantly and is now fully University-based in UD’s College of Health Sciences (CHS). Expanding from a single undergraduate major to four majors and several minors, including forensic science, the MMSC Department also offers master’s and doctoral programs.

Anna Ciulla, associate professor of medical laboratory sciences, who retired in 2014, led the department for over 36 years.

"Anna Ciulla was a strong and dedicated leader who shepherded the program through some very difficult times, always striving toward excellence," said Kathleen S. Matt, former dean of CHS and professor emeritus of kinesiology and applied physiology. "Her leadership ensured that graduates of the program were well respected for their strong scientific knowledge and hands-on experience.”

Associate Professor Anna Ciulla led UD’s Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences for over three decades. She retired in 2014.

Mary Ann McLane, MMSC professor emerita, taught at UD for over two decades. She received the College of Health Sciences’ first R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for her research into snake venom and cancer and founded the doctoral program in medical sciences.

“I am delighted that the doctoral program is thriving, and its success has led to numerous high-profile research grants, resulting in significant contributions to academia, service, and science,” McLane said.

When Esther Biswas-Fiss joined the department as chair in 2016, she brought a bold vision.

“Esther infused new drive and energy into the department, bringing extensive experience in biotech training,” Matt said. “Undergraduate enrollment increased by 150% from 2016 to 2023, demonstrating the tremendous growth the department has experienced under Esther’s leadership.”

Today, the department’s medical diagnostics and medical diagnostics pre-physician assistant (MDD-PPA) majors serve as a model for universities nationwide.

“We have emerged as a leader in pre-medical education; it’s a unique offering and a great alternative to the more traditional biology or chemistry pre-med degrees,” Biswas-Fiss said.

Friday, June 6, 4-6 p.m.
Health Sciences Complex Atrium
540 S. College Ave, Newark, DE 19713
$35/person

Join us in celebrating “75 Years of Science Saving Lives!” The Medical and Molecular Sciences 75th Anniversary Celebration will highlight the wide-ranging changes in the field over the last 75 years with a brief program, interactive activities, and a reception that will include heavy hors d’oeuvres and a bar. Register to attend.

Biswas-Fiss also launched the applied molecular biology and biotechnology (AMBB) major and a genetic counseling minor.

“The AMBB program enhanced MMSC’s standing at the University, facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations and fostering strong partnerships with Delaware’s biotech industry,” Matt said.

Matt also praised Biswas-Fiss as a champion of diversity, as many of the department’s graduate students are from groups not traditionally represented in the health sciences and international students.

“We need that diversity and excellence in healthcare and education, and these are hallmark qualities of the MMSC program,” Matt said.

Training tomorrow’s leaders

Biswas-Fiss touted the caliber of students in MMSC programs.

“The curriculum is rigorous, and our MLS and AMBB majors participate in internships, gaining real-world experience that often leads to job offers before graduation,” Biswas-Fiss said.

That tradition also runs deep.

Lizabeth Marek graduated from UD with a degree in MT in 1990 and has spent most of her career at Nemours Children’s Health, where she’s now the manager of enterprise laboratory operations.

“There’s a generation of Blue Hen MLS graduates at Nemours who are committed,” Marek said. “They’re well-trained and take pride in their work.”

A medical technology student performs a lab test in 1986.

Marc Portmann, who earned his degree in MT in 1989 and now works as vice president of strategic operations for U.S. Fertility, echoed those sentiments.

“In this industry, I prefer to hire UD MLS graduates because I know the training they get is top-notch,” Portmann said.

Marek was so fond of her time at UD that she created an affiliate program, allowing UD students to spend time in Nemours labs during their clinical rotations.

“It’s a mutually beneficial partnership,” Marek said. “Our experienced techs enjoy mentoring the next generation, and students bring fresh ideas and challenge the status quo.”

The COVID-19 pandemic also challenged the status quo, thrusting medical laboratory professionals from behind the scenes into the spotlight.

“Medical and molecular scientists, as well as nursing and other volunteers within CHS, stepped up to help UD establish an in-house COVID-19 testing program,” Matt said. “The department also made important strides in raising awareness about the critical role MLS professionals play in early disease detection, prevention, and healthcare outcomes.”

The next 75 years

Over nearly a decade, Biswas-Fiss has remained laser-focused on her vision for the department: expanding access, strengthening training, and creating career-defining opportunities for students. One example is the department’s partnership with QIAGEN, which recently donated a state-of-the-art digital PCR machine, transforming biotech training for undergraduate students.

“MLS is the best job you’ve never heard of, and we’ve opened numerous windows of opportunity for students by showing them what these rewarding careers look like,” Biswas-Fiss said.

Matt credits the department’s pipeline initiatives with expanding access to the profession, including a popular CSI-style summer camp, organized by Heather Walters, which immerses high school students in hands-on lab experiments.

“When high school students become involved in hands-on lab experiments, they begin to see themselves in these careers, and it really makes a difference,” Matt said.

But the department couldn’t do this work without the generous support of the Klapinsky and Santoro families.

“We’re eternally grateful for their generosity over the years, which has had a huge impact on the lives of our students and is a testament to their support of our mission,” Biswas-Fiss said.

Their contributions are a testament to their support of MMSC’s mission to provide students with opportunities to advance in their careers and give back to the field.

Eddie Marks (left) was the first doctoral student to graduate with a Ph.D. in medical sciences in 2017. Here, he’s shown shaking Department Chair and Professor Esther Biswas-Fiss’s hand at Convocation.

“Our doctoral program in medical sciences offers students the opportunity to earn an MLS degree and pursue a Ph.D., potentially leading to a faculty position in a department like ours,” said Biswas-Fiss. “This allows us to contribute to the next generation of educators and researchers in our field.”

Biswas-Fiss is also pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in personalized medicine. She recently secured a $2.3 million NIH grant, complemented by a prestigious grant from Foundation Fighting Blindness, to tackle vision loss.

“I want our research to drive innovations and advancements that not only change science but also truly change lives,” said Biswas-Fiss. “That kind of research helps patients and shows the world just how vital medical and molecular sciences professionals are in making breakthroughs possible.”

About the funds

The James C. and Theresa Kakavas Scholarship was established in 1993. This endowed scholarship supports undergraduate students in the Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences based on financial need and academic merit.

The Angela Santoro ’05 Research Award was established in February 2022 by Angela’s parents, Shelly A. and Peter Santoro. Additional family and friends have made gifts to the fund in Angela’s memory. The fund provides research awards to outstanding students in the Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, who are given the opportunity to work collaboratively with a distinguished faculty member in the Department.

For more information on supporting these and other funds in the Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, please contact Dan Rogalski, Senior Director of Development, at rogalski@udel.edu.