Lab Scientists Under the Microscope: Meet Kayle Cirrincione

Move over real-time PCR machines. Make way mass spectrometers. Take a step back DNA sequencers.

In celebration of Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month, we’re continuing our popular “Lab Scientists Under the Microscope” series and spotlighting the real heroes of laboratory science—the dedicated professionals who make public health laboratories hum.

Every day, these scientists work with dangerous substances and high-consequence pathogens. They connect the dots that link cases and identify outbreaks, keeping us safer from foodborne illnesses, infectious diseases and more. They work weekends, holidays and after hours to prepare samples and run programs so the rest of us can get our test results in a timely fashion. And they do it all with increasingly limited resources and funding.

Each week of Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month, we’ll highlight one of these professional powerhouses and give you a glimpse into their lives inside the lab. Read on to meet the scientists.

 

I have always been interested in science. I grew up in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where science was encouraged from a very young age. In seventh grade, my grandfather, who worked in public health, gave me a copy of “The Hot Zone.” I read it and immediately fell in love. From then on, working with high-consequence diseases became my goal. In high school, I discovered that I especially loved bacteria. In the first semester of college, I set my major to microbiology and I haven’t looked back since. It is still a dream of mine to work with a hemorrhagic fever one day.

I am a very crafty person, so if I weren’t a scientist, I would probably have attempted to own a yarn and fiber store. I am a big knitter, and I also spin loose fiber into yarn. If the science never played out, I think I would be perfectly happy spending my days surrounded by yarn. Both involve curiosity, patience and more than occasionally untangling a mess! I also think it would be amazing to teach young people how to knit and spin and help spark that same creativity in them.

The inoculating loop! It is such a small and simple tool, but so much of microbiology starts with it. There is something oh-so-very satisfying about getting a beautiful streak for isolation. It may not be the most exciting or high-tech piece of equipment in the lab, but when you get those perfect isolated colonies, it deserves a little appreciation.

I have a special fondness for working with Bacillus anthracis. It was one of the first high-consequence pathogens I really had the opportunity to work with, so it has always stuck with me. I also think it looks strangely beautiful on an agar plate—like big, fluffy clouds that can kill. Plus, as far as bacteria go, it is pretty forgiving to work with.

There are two people in my life whom I consider legends because they helped shape me into the scientist I am today.

My grandfather was a public health medical director for several counties in Washington State. Over the years, we have had so many fascinating conversations about outbreaks and public health. He helped spark my interest in the field early on—even giving me the book that first made me fall in love with high-consequence diseases. He is still my first call when we have unique cases pop up here in Dallas.

My father’s background is in nuclear science and chemistry. While my interests ultimately landed in microbiology, he always encouraged my constantly curious brain. Growing up, he would bring home interesting science supplies so I could do cool experiments for the science fair. He also sparked my interest in emergency response and helped me get my first real job with a hazardous materials response group. Even now, whenever I have a preparedness- or chemistry-related question, he is always there for me to call and pick his brain.

Both encouraged me to stay curious, ask questions and never stop learning. I would not be who I am today without them.