Kristen Pike, an Associate Scientist II for the Cancer Research Technology Program (CRTP), has come across various words of wisdom during her 30+ years at FNL. However, one piece of advice has proven to be the most helpful: "If it isn’t broken, make it better.” This advice has inspired Kristen to consistently improve on things and challenge the status quo.
Kristen works within the CLIA Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, where she performs diagnostic genomics and genetics assays. You can read our full interview with her below:
Tell us about your work at the Frederick National Laboratory.
I manage a clinical laboratory where we perform diagnostic genomics and genetics assays. These tests consist of extracting and analyzing patients' DNA for mutations via traditional PCR (polymerase chain reaction), Sanger sequencing, droplet digital PCR, the array-based method of Pharmacoscan, and fragment analysis. These workflows include ongoing studies of Chronic Granulomatous Disease and how mutations may affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs. Tissue types that we isolate nucleic acid(s) from include whole blood, plasma, platelet-depleted whole blood, buffy coat, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, saliva, buccal swabs, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks, and microscope slides.
We also develop and run tests that are not currently clinical but may need future validation experiments to become CLIA-certified. These are quantitative PCR, ddPCR (for Epstein-Barr virus and Burkitt lymphoma), next-generation sequencing, and mass spectrometry (for proteomics). We work on projects for the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the NIH Clinical Center, NCI Center for Cancer Research, NCI Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the NCI Division of Cancer Prevention.
I provide project management, documentation management, scientific data analysis, and quality assurance to remain within CLIA compliance. We are inspected every two years by the Philadelphia Office of The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
How did you become interested in your line of work, and what drew you to the Frederick National Laboratory?
When I was eleven, my oldest sister Bev, passed away of cancer. I saw what she went through, and I knew I wanted to eventually help in some way to alleviate this burden for others. I did well in school and really enjoyed science classes, so I knew early on that I wanted to major in this at college and make cancer research my career. Fortunately, Fort Detrick and what is now the Frederick National Laboratory were close to where I grew up and now live. That made my decision even easier, because one of the most renowned cancer research facilities was nearby.
What do you enjoy about working at the Frederick National Laboratory?
I enjoy meeting and working with a diverse group of people from all over the world. I've worked with colleagues from Iceland, Japan, China, Russia, Germany, Italy, Canada, England, and several countries in South America. I like working on projects that utilize cutting-edge technology with folks whom I consider to be simply brilliant, to help patients. I also like the flexibility of being able to work remotely now.
What accomplishment(s) at the Frederick National Laboratory are you most proud of or how has your work made impact?
I am proud of many things, such as being a female scientist, attending graduate school at Johns Hopkins University, peer-reviewed publications that I’ve been a co-author on, and my Project Management Professional Certification (PMP). However, I am most proud of the fact that I was the one tasked with making our lab CLIA-certified back in 1998. I had only been here 6 years at that point. We had developed a mutation screening assay for the K-ras gene, codon 12. I worked with consultants to draft all the required paperwork, SOPs, ensure our reagents were labeled/viable, and equipment was calibrated. We were inspected and passed certification.
We have maintained our CLIA certificate now for 25 years. Training laboratory staff members and going through proficiency testing every 6 months and competency assessments every year successfully is a notable achievement. I started out with one assay and have grown our client base and test menu over the years. I am very proud of our team!
What are some of your hobbies or special interests outside of the office?
I enjoy reading books and writing poems. I also like landscaping our yard, spending time with my wife Kelli and our two cocker spaniel dogs named Kaptain and Katcher, as well as going to sporting events, concerts, and wineries.
Additionally, I am a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, as I have an ancestor who fought in the American Revolution. This is a non-profit women’s organization which promotes volunteer service, patriotism, historic preservation, and education. Our chapter helps veterans, CASA (Citizens Assisting and Sheltering the Abused), and assists with preserving local historical buildings.
Where is your favorite place to be?
The beach!
Give us one little-known fact about you or your best-kept secret?
I can juggle, and I played fast-pitch softball all 4 years of college at Hagerstown Community College and Shepherd University.
