Lanazha BelfieldSimpson

Medical Laboratory Scientist I - Duke University Hospital - Blood Gas Laboratory

(2026-01)

Perform high-complexity blood gas and critical care laboratory testing supporting respiratory, emergency, anesthesia, and intensive care services.
Collaborate with pulmonologists, intensivists, respiratory therapists, anesthesiologists, emergency physicians, and nursing staff by providing accurate laboratory data that informs evidence-based clinical decisions.
Maintain compliance with CAP, CLIA, laboratory SOPs, quality assurance, and regulatory standards.

Postdoctoral Fellow - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Led NIH-supported translational pulmonary research investigating burn pit exposure, asthma, acute lung injury, inflammation, and skeletal muscle dysfunction.
Published peer-reviewed manuscripts and presented findings at national scientific meetings, including the American Thoracic Society.
Collaborated with multidisciplinary investigators and mentored undergraduate and graduate researchers.

Research Scientist - Wake Forest School of Medicine

Completed doctoral research in Molecular Medicine and Translational Science investigating the effects of biological sex and glucocorticoid signaling on skeletal muscle wasting and recovery following acute lung injury using translational preclinical models.
Designed and executed molecular and cellular biology experiments utilizing ELISA, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, RNA isolation, quantitative gene expression analyses, and biomarker assessment to evaluate mechanisms of inflammation, muscle remodeling, and pulmonary injury.
Analyzed complex biological datasets, interpreted experimental findings, and translated results into peer-reviewed manuscripts, scientific abstracts, grant applications, and presentations for multidisciplinary scientific audiences.
Collaborated with pulmonary, critical care, physiology, and translational medicine investigators to advance mechanistic studies relevant to acute lung injury and respiratory disease.
Maintained rigorous Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), detailed research documentation, protocol compliance, and laboratory quality standards while mentoring junior researchers.

Biology Lecturer - North Carolina Central University, Salem College & Winston-Salem State University

Developed and delivered undergraduate biology courses in molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, physiology, and introductory biology for science majors and non-majors.
Translated complex biomedical and translational science concepts into engaging, evidence-based educational presentations tailored to diverse audiences.
Mentored and advised undergraduate students while fostering scientific curiosity, critical thinking, and academic success.
Prepared lectures, laboratory exercises, examinations, and active-learning activities that strengthened scientific communication and knowledge translation.
Communicated current scientific literature and emerging biomedical discoveries to students, demonstrating the ability to explain highly technical information to audiences with varying scientific backgrounds.

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