HPTN Laboratory Center Leadership
Co-PI
Deputy Director
Co-PI
Under the leadership of Susan Eshleman of Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, the HPTN (HIV Prevention Trials Network) Laboratory Center (LC) is responsible for collecting, testing and reporting results from biological samples; assisting in the development and quality assurance assessment of local laboratory capacity at the Clinical Trials Units (CTUs) participating in HPTN clinical trials; and identifying and implementing state-of-the-art assays and technologies to advance the scientific agenda of the Network.
Mission –
Area 1. Evaluation of Novel Antiretroviral Drugs and Delivery Systems for HIV Prevention
Area 2. Evaluation of Multipurpose Technologies for HIV Prevention
Area 3. Evaluation of Passive Immunization Strategies for HIV Prevention
Area 4. Evaluation of Integrated Biomedical and Socio-Behavioral Prevention Strategies.
Paul Richardson graduated from Manchester Polytechnic in England and is a registered multidisciplinary Biomedical Scientist with the Health Care Professions Council (UK). Paul later received his Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (London) in 1991 followed by a Master of Science in Biomedical Science from the Manchester Metropolitan University in 1999. His experience includes working in multiple hospital clinical laboratories, instrument sales and technical support. He is currently a Senior International QA/QC Coordinator for the HPTN Laboratory Center at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and has been involved in HPTN studies since 2005
Amber Moser graduated from Stevenson University with a Medical Laboratory Scientist degree and is American Society of Clinical Pathology MLS (ASCP) certified. Prior to working at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and University School of Medicine she worked at Sinai Hospital in the core laboratory and at Northwest Hospital as the team leader of the laboratory.
Tinia Hill graduated from Harrisburg University of Science and Technology with her Bachelors in Biology. She then went on to University of Maryland, School of Medicine and enrolled in their Department of Medical Research and Technology categorical program. She graduated in 2016 and is ASCP certified in Hematology. Prior to working at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, she worked at University of Maryland Medical Center in the HLA lab. She also has worked in other area clinical labs as a generalist.
Danielle Heyl graduated from Ferris State University with a Medical technology degree and is American Society of Clinical Pathology MLS (ASCP) certified. Prior to working at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, she worked at Rex Hospital, KRR Laboratory as well as the Maryland Zoo’s Animal Hospital and AniLab, a full service clinical laboratory, specializing exclusively in veterinary testing.
Anjali Shankar graduated from George Washington University with a BS in Public Health with a concentration in bioinformatics, and from Johns Hopkins University with an MS in Biotechnology. Prior to working to at Johns Hopkins Hospital, she worked as a research assistant at Children’s National and as a scribe at The George Washington University Hospital. Currently, she is a research technologist at the HPTN LC Core Laboratory.
Meagan Peoples graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a double major in Chemistry and Writing Seminars. Prior to working at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and University School of Medicine, she worked as an interfaces engineer at Epic Systems, first in Wisconsin and then later abroad at their Bristol office.
Shahnaz Ahmed graduated from the University of Bombay with a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and a postgraduate degree in Medical Technology. She began her laboratory career in Bombay before moving to the USA. In the USA, Shahnaz completed her MLT ASCP certification before working as a generalist at Cleveland Clinic Hospital, Ohio. She then took on the role of Lab Supervisor at Frisco Urgent Care in Texas In 2018, Shahnaz joined Johns Hopkins University, where she currently serves as the International Lab QA/QC Coordinator.
Janet Small has been with Johns Hopkins Medicine since 2015. Prior to working at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, she worked for Johns Hopkins Community Physicians as a Medical Office Assistant, as well as Quest Diagnostics. She worked at Quest Diagnostics for 22 years, starting out in Client Services, where she provided technical information to Doctors and their staff, became a Group Lead, and in 2014 became the Supervisor of the Department. In 2015 Janet started working at JHCP as a Medical Office Assistant, then in 2018 moved to HPTN LC as the Administrative Coordinator.
Yaw Agyei is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a medical technology degree and is American Society of Clinical Pathology MLS (ASCP). He worked at the Johns Hopkins Hospital Core Laboratory following an internship right after Medical Technology school. He stayed there for five years before joining the HIV Prevention Trails Network-Laboratory Center (HPTN- LC). He is a senior laboratory QA/QC coordinator and has spent many years working in different countries in Southern Africa, where his cultural background has helped in building capacity across local labs. In addition to his laboratory training, Yaw holds a Masters in Public Health (MPH) degree.