Emerging Leader Program for Upcoming Leaders
The Emerging Leader Program (ELP) for Upcoming Leaders is a nine-month program for early-career laboratory professionals to build leadership skills, foster team building and cultivate vibrant social and professional networks. Together, we tackle the ever-evolving challenges and opportunities within public health laboratories.
Contact the Leadership Development team: [email protected]
Applications are now open! Apply by May 17, 2026, to be considered for the ELP for Upcoming Leaders. Apply Now!
Develop Foundational Leadership Skills to Take Your Next Professional Step
ELP for Upcoming Leaders is designed for early-career laboratory professionals who are ready to develop the foundational leadership skills they need to take their next professional step. We select scientists from state, local, environmental and agricultural laboratories who demonstrate strong leadership potential and a willingness to grow, take on new challenges and engage with honest feedback.
Participants engage in practical experiences that develop core leadership capabilities, foster teamwork and expand their professional networks. The program doesn’t shy away from the real challenges facing public health laboratories. Instead, it prepares participants to navigate them with clarity and confidence.
Graduation isn’t the endpoint. Alumni stay connected across regions and cohorts, building a community that continues to learn, collaborate and influence the future of the public health laboratory workforce.
Program Modalities
APHL offers two modalities for the Emerging Leader Program for Upcoming leaders: hybrid and virtual. Applicants will specify their preference for either the hybrid or virtual modality on their application form.
HYBRID MODALITY
The hybrid modality features virtual monthly sessions, complemented by in-person meetings.
Beyond the standard curriculum, the Hybrid Modality collaborates on a project that addresses pressing challenges in the public health laboratory workforce. These projects result in innovative tools, guides and resources designed to strengthen leadership, workforce development and operational excellence across the laboratory community.
VIRTUAL MODALITY
Beyond the standard curriculum, the Virtual Modality participants individually complete projects within their respective laboratories and support cohort members’ projects from afar by providing feedback, recommendations and potential insights into similar efforts at their laboratories.
Vision
By the end of the program, participants will have honed their leadership skills, strengthening their proficiency in a wide range of essential competencies, which may include:
- Skills necessary to advance into managerial and supervisory roles
- Mastery in delegation and task management
- Strengthened motivation, teamwork, and collaboration skills
- Effective mentoring and coaching techniques
- Heightened emotional intelligence for effective leadership
- Improved relations and advocacy skills with key individuals
- Advanced proficiency in conflict resolution and problem-solving strategies
- Strategic thinking refined to navigate complex challenges
- Expertise in change management methodologies
- Refined communication skills for impactful leadership
- Proficient resource management techniques
- And an extensive range of additional skills vital for successful leadership
Program Expectations
- Attend in-person sessions (hybrid modality only)
- Attend monthly virtual skills-based sessions
- Complete pre-session and post-session assignments
- Participate in an optional virtual peer-to-peer coaching program
- Participate in the Emerging Leader Community of Practice (an online forum)
Program Timelines
Become an Upcoming Leader
Submit your application by May 17, to be considered for the ELP for Upcoming Leaders.
Apply Now!Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for ELP, you must meet the general eligibility criteria, in addition to the program-specific criteria:
- Must have a minimum of 3 years of laboratory experience ​
Application Process
Application Resources
The following resources are available to guide you through the application process:
Applicant Education
- Recording
- Slides (PDF) - Please note that although the slides serve as visual aids, we recommend watching the linked recordings, as additional information is conveyed verbally.
- Q&A (PDF)
Reference Education
- Recording
- Slides (PDF) - Please note that although the slides serve as visual aids, we recommend watching the linked recordings, as additional information is conveyed verbally.
- Q&A (PDF)
Still Have Questions?
Application Q&A Sessions
Meet with APHL for a brief 15-minute one-on-one session to ask questions and get guidance on the application.
Before You Book
To make the most of your session:
- Review all available application resources
- Prepare specific and concise questions to make the most of your time
- Appointments must be booked at least 48 hours in advance (sessions scheduled with less notice will not be accepted)
If no available times work for you, email [email protected] for assistance.
Who Can Attend?
Q&A sessions are open to:
- Applicants (please indicate whether your application status is: Not Started, Drafted, or Final)
- References
- Reviewers
Upon signing up, you'll receive an email confirmation and a Microsoft Teams invite at the email address you provide.
Although ELP does not currently accept international
applicants, APHL collaborates with countries worldwide to build robust and
resilient national laboratory systems.
Learn more about our global health work and how to get involved.
Current Upcoming Leaders
Hybrid Modality Members
Andrew Steffens
Research Scientist 2, Chemistry and Supervisor of the Metals Testing Laboratory
Anna Pickett
Supervisory Microbiologist
Anumita Bajpai
Senior Specialist, Global Health
Ashley Aurand-Cravens
Environmental Microbiology Supervisor
Bernard Wolff
Microbiologist
Christine Lee
Biologist
Cody Benfant
Microbiologist
Elizabeth Simms
Medical Microbiologist and Infectious Diseases Physician
Garima Verma
Scientist II
Joseph Zenon
Quality Assurance Manager
Lauren Franco
Director of Clinical Microbiology
Lauryn Massic
Laboratory Technician, Molecular Department
Leila Casella
Public Health Laboratory Scientist III Supervisor
Omran Muslin
Chief Clinical Toxicologist
Rachel Cruise
Public Health Scientist III: Microbiology
Sherry Faye
Technical Director, Nuclear Chemistry Laboratory
Susan Hepp
Research Scientist Supervisor of the Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases Section
Varvara Kozyreva
Section Chief, Mycobacterial, Mycotic, and Parasitic Diseases Section
Victor Amadi
Laboratory Information System Coordinator
Victoria Harcy
Scientist III / Assistant Manager
Virtual Modality Members
Alexander Payne
Entomologist
Amanda Uhls
Public Health Laboratory Scientist 4 - Lead
Andrew Pinsonneault
Research Scientist 1 Supervisor, Section Chief
Brittany Jones
Laboratory Technician 3
Christopher Fajardo
Microbiologist II
Edgar Moradel
Public Health Laboratory Scientist Supervisor
Erin Plaisance
Molecular Biologist
Hattie Largent
Quality Assurance Specialist
Jean M. Rock
Research Scientist 2
Jeremy Unrau
Organic Analytical Chemistry Manager
Joseph Jean
Chemist
Lakeisha L. Packer
Chemist 2
Mia C. Mattioli
Environmental Engineer, Laboratory Team Lead, Supervisor
Molly Hetherington-Rauth
Lead Bioinformatics Scientist
Nicholas Jones
Research Scientist II
Robert Taylor
Interim Division Head of Microbiology, Clinical Microbiologist, Assistant Professor
M. Shannon Keckler
Microbiologist
Stephanie Clark
Supervisor of the Food Safety Microbiology Unit