British Fields, MLS(ASCP)^CM, is a research technologist at Versiti Blood Research Institute. She was recently accepted to the Medical College of Wisconsin Medical School Class of 2023.

Q: How long have you been working at Versiti Blood Research Institute, and what do you do in the lab?

A: I have been working at the BRI since Aug. 15, 2016. I work with Karen Carlson, MD, PhD. Dr. Carlson’s research focuses on examining laminins, a group of basement membrane glycoproteins, and their role in the bone marrow microenvironment. Some of the lab techniques that I perform include the protein purification, protein concentration assay, western blot, immunohistochemical (IHC) and immunofluorescence staining (IF), confocal microscopy, ELISA, flow cytometry, cell culture of mouse enteroid populations, real-time PCR, and some work with mice.

Q: What attracted you to Versiti Blood Research Institute?

A: The opportunity to not only learn new lab techniques, but also to work with a primary investigator who is a physician scientist. I have been very fortunate to work under Dr. Carlson! She knew my aspirations to become a physician very early, and she has been extremely supportive in me getting into medical school. She even let me shadow her several times while she has been on service at the Cancer Center. There, I was able to connect some of our bench research and the research articles I’ve read directly to patients.

Q: Have you always known that you wanted to go to medical school?

A: I’ve known since I was a child that I wanted to become a physician. Coming from an underserved community is why I want to provide care to those from marginalized populations. And it was during my high school anatomy and physiology course that I started to really fall in love with understanding the human body.

Q: Is there a certain type of medicine you hope to specialize in?

A: I am interested in a career in pediatrics. There are many areas within peds that I am interested in, including adolescent medicine, endocrinology and neonatology.

Q: Some investigators at Versiti Blood Research Institute split their time between caring for patients in a clinical setting, while also conducting bench research. Is this something you’re interested in?

A: I am interested in learning more about clinical research. Being at the BRI has given me a new appreciation of bench research and has helped me truly understand how beneficial it can be in the lives of patients. However, I think that I want to do more public health work, in addition to seeing patients to combat some of the social determinants of health and work toward closing the health disparities gap. Bench research and the BRI will always hold a special place in my heart!

Learn more about Versiti Blood Research Institute and explore careers in research.