Peterson honored with ASCLS ‘Voices Under 40’ award

Samantha Peterson, associate professor in the SMHS Department of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) and director of the MLS graduate program, recently received one of seven “Voices Under 40” recognitions for 2026 at the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) Joint Annual Meeting. ASCLS is the premiere professional society for medical lab scientists. The Voices Under 40 award is a national award that according to ASCLS was developed “to honor ASCLS members who have shown exceptional commitment to ASCLS, the laboratory profession, and their community at large at a young age in their professional careers.”

“Dr. Peterson is more than deserving of this award recognizing impactful leaders early in their careers,” noted MLS department chair Brooke Solberg. “She has already achieved success in many areas, including impactful teaching, scholarly activity, service to the profession, and supportive mentoring of students. We have been so lucky in UND MLS to be witness to and benefit from her contributions and are excited to see Dr. Peterson continue her positive influence in the future.”

Peterson was nominated by recently retired MLS faculty member Mary Coleman. Qualifications for nomination include: nominee must be under 40 years of age as of January 1 of the year nominated, is a current member of ASCLS, must display “boundless enthusiasm for the profession and ASCLS,” and is admired “as an ambassador for Medical Laboratory Science and for ASCLS.”

“It is truly an honor to have been nominated, let alone selected to receive an ASCLS Voices Under 40 Award,” added Peterson. “I am incredibly grateful to work in an environment that has encouraged my growth, supported my leadership, and given me opportunities to advocate for the MLS profession. My passion has always been advancing our field while mentoring and educating the next generation of lab professionals, and I am humbled to be recognized for work that I genuinely love.”