Coffee & Compatibility

Join us on Coffee & Compatibility as Dr. Medhat Askar discusses the urgent need to investigate the role of HLA in cell therapy and how laboratories can support this rapidly growing treatment strategy. The conversation also highlights ongoing global efforts to advance transplantation and cell therapy initiatives.Learn more about The Transplantation Society’s activities during the World Health Assembly here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/medhataskar_the-transplantation-society-advances-the-activity-7464104308314173440-J-Kn?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABF2FhwB2SQa9yztxvbubR246ItZX1ub52kCoffee & Compatibility is the official podcast of ASHI, featuring discussions on current topics, expert insights, and emerging trends in transplantation, histocompatibility, and immunogenetics.#CoffeeAndCompatibility #ASHIHLA #CellTherapy #HLA #Transplantation #Immunogenetics #Histocompatibility #TransplantImmunology #StemCellTherapy #LaboratoryMedicine #HealthcareEducation #MedicalPodcast #HLAResearch #CellularTherapy #TransplantScience

Part 2 of our series honoring early HLA pioneers! Wendy Leong joins the podcast as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Rose Payne.

Dr. Alberto Cardoso Martins Lima shares how advances in therapeutics are changing the way we think about HSCT donor selection.AFDT LINK: https://amfdt.swoogo.com/histocompatability2026/home

Mr. Ricardo Ordonez honors the legacy of Dr. Paul Terasaki in this special episode of Coffee & Compatibility#PaulTerasaki #RicardoOrdonez #CoffeeAndCompatibility #HLA #Transplantation #Histocompatibility #Immunogenetics #TransplantScience #Legacy #MedicalPodcast #OrganTransplant #HealthcareHeroes #SciencePodcast #Immunology

Dr. Michael Cooper, Chief of Transplantation at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Chair of the Board of Directors for Donate Life America, shares his perspective on recent media coverage, its impact on the organ donor registry, and what the media is missing about organ transplantation.

Join Coffee & Compatibility’s special guest, Dr. Jackie O’Leary, to learn about the implications of anti-HLA allosensitization in liver graft injury and how HLA laboratories could be playing a larger role.

This week, OPO CEO Kevin Myer, provides Coffee & Compatibility an update on “Project Matador” and on the utilization of drone technology in transplant allocation logistics for organs and samples.

Dr. Macey Levan — NYU transplant researcher, former OPTN Board Executive Committee member, living kidney donor, and national transplantation leader — joins C&C for a special live episode at the 51st Annual ASHI Meeting in Orlando, FL, to talk all things transplant “modernization” and the state of xenotransplantation.🔔 Subscribe to our channel for more expert discussions, insights into innovation, and practical tips on patents, diagnostics, and technology commercialization. Stay updated with the latest trends in science and intellectual property!Tip: Click the CC button, then Settings → Subtitles → Auto-translate to watch with captions in Spanish or other languages.Hashtags:#Innovation #TechnologyTransfer #Commercialization #Patents #DiagnosticAssays #IntellectualProperty #IPProtection #ScientificInnovation #ResearchToMarket #TechInnovation #StartupScience #BiotechInnovation #TranslationalResearch #ScienceEntrepreneurship #LabToMarket

Discover how collaboration can strengthen our field! Join special guest Dr. Debby Basu as she shares the latest American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) projects and initiatives designed to support and empower the clinical laboratory workforce — including opportunities that could directly benefit you.

Technology transfer and commercialization expert Dr. Kelly Parsons discusses the current state of patents and diagnostic assays. Learn essential strategies for protecting intellectual property, navigating patent processes, and translating scientific discoveries into real-world applications. Whether you’re a researcher, entrepreneur, or innovator, this discussion offers valuable insights into bridging the gap between the lab and the market.

Dr. Chris Wiebe shares his expertise in use of HLA eplet mismatch load in estimating immunologic risk in transplantation. We cover considerations of de novo HLA-DSA formation, donor selection, impacts on post-transplant monitoring protocols, as well as immunosuppression.

Whether you work in an HLA lab or rely on one for clinical services or care, you won’t want to miss this episode of Coffee & Compatibility! James Robinson, founder of the bioinformation IPD-IMGT/HLA Database, joins us to share how this essential tool evolved into a global resource with over 74,000 submissions, 42,000+ alleles, and nearly 20 new entries every day!

Dorrie Dils, President of the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations, joins the podcast to discuss major changes in federal oversight of OPOs and what they mean for the transplant community.CBS News Video Story: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/a-final...CBS News Print Story: https://www.cbsnews.com/organdonors/New York Times Article: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...

Today's episode features Dr. Stanley Jordan, as he discusses recent advances in desensitization therapies and exciting new approaches coming soon.🎉 Get 10% Off at the ASHI Store! BUT FIRST SUBSCRIBE 🎉Use code YOTL2025 at checkout to enjoy 10% off your purchase.👉 Shop Now at the ASHI Store [https://theashistore.square.site/]

Dr. Geoffrey Funk, OPO CEO, joins Coffee & Compatibility to explain what NRP is, how it has impacted solid organ transplant allocation, and why some see it as controversial.🎉 Get 10% Off at the ASHI Store! BUT FIRST SUBSCRIBE 🎉Use code YOTL2025 at checkout to enjoy 10% off your purchase.👉 Shop Now at the ASHI Store [https://theashistore.square.site/]

Valen Keefer, a two-time transplant recipient and leading patient advocate, shares her story and insights with the Coffee & Compatibility crew.

Madam President and all-around Immunogenetics boss, Dr. Cathi Murphey joins the podcast to discuss recent CMS updates, guidance, and clarifications on HLA testing and personnel.

What will the next 50 years hold for ASHI? Katie Mellon joins the podcast to discuss how ASHI can attract the next generation of technologists and reflects on her experience at her first ASHI Annual Meeting! 🎉 Get 10% Off at the ASHI Store! 🎉 Use code WITTYBANTER at checkout to enjoy 10% off your purchase. 👉 Shop Now at the ASHI Store Become an ASHI member! https://www.ashi-hla.org/page/membership CMS Final Rule - pg 256 https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-25-10-clia.pdf

Coffee & Compatibility goes live from the 50th Annual ASHI Meeting! Tune in to hear Dr. Annette Jackson, Rebecca Upchurch, and Dr. Anne Halpin share their insights on the changing regulatory landscape and what it means for your lab. Plus, questions from our live audience!

HLA Director and Transfusion Medicine Specialist, Dr. Ryan Pena, joins Coffee & Compatibility to discuss how HLA laboratories can support transfusion medicine specialists. From HLA typing to anti-HLA antibody analysis in this niche service, Dr. Pena breaks it all down.

Dr. Gerald Morris, the current Chair of the OPTN Histocompatibility Committee, joins Coffee & Compatibility to discuss upcoming changes in HLA testing and nomenclature, and their potential impacts on organ allocation in the United States.

Dr. Zahra Kashi and Russell Martin share how Kashi Laboratory developed their HLA molecular testing menu and how they expanded into non-HLA molecular diagnostics. Tune in to find out what non-HLA molecular diagnostic testing may be the future for HLA laboratories.

Dr. Medhat Askar joins the podcast to discuss the utility and validation of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) testing for solid-organ recipients. Dr. Askar also discusses the regulatory status of dd-cfDNA in the United States.

Dr. Christina Jorge shares what has made Portugal’s organ allocation system one of the best in the world, as well as the challenges it faces and the innovations it has planned.

Organ allocation expert Larry Suplee joins Coffee & Compatibility to discuss the strengths of the U.S. organ allocation system and explore future improvements.  

Trailblazer Donna Phelan shares her journey in HLA including moments of special connection with ASHI’s mission, groundbreaking advances in technology, and paving the way for technologist leadership in ASHI!

Kicking off a celebration of ASHI’s 50th anniversary, the podcast welcomes Dr. Carolyn Hurley for a conversation about the history and future of ASHI.

Coffee & Compatibility jumps into 2024 with Dr. Robert Liwski, who will give best practices advice on ruling spurious reactivity out of your antibody detection assays. This is your opportunity to up your antibody data accuracy game in 2024!

Patrick Wells-O’Brien joins the podcast to discuss a new law in Michigan designed to grow the organ donor registry and how you can initiate similar legislation in your state.

Our special guest, transplant pharmacist, Dr. Reed Hall, joins us to honor the memory of transplant patient advocate, Amy Silverstein, and do discuss her concerns regarding the need for innovation in immunosuppressing transplant patients.

Dr. Cathy Gebhart and Cordy Kudika explain what ASHI is doing to attract lab professionals, engage students, and spark greater interest in histocompatibility and immunogenetics as a career!

Drs. Cathi Murphey and Michael Gautreaux join the show and share their unique perspectives on dual HLA typing for deceased donors

Join Kelley, Eric, and Jeremy as they share stories and discuss the exciting networking opportunities at the ASHI Annual Meeting!

An interview with Drs. Sharoni Jacobs and James Lu, from Helix, Inc. on the role of Omic technologies in modern medicine and the future opportunities it opens for the ASHI community.

What do medical residents already know about HLA when they rotate through our labs and what do they hope to gain? Dr. Shasta Theodore, a pathology resident, shares her perspective as she begins her histocompatibility lab rotation.

Dr. Maria Bettinotti stresses the importance of HLA consultation for optimal clinical service to bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cell transplant programs. Join us to learn more about “best practices” in BMT/HSCT HLA testing and clinical consultation.

Step into the world of event planning magic with this episode featuring ASHI Meeting Manager, Stephanie Ritter. Learn more about the engaging workshops, networking receptions, and how this year's ASHI Annual Meeting is an event you don't want to miss!

The Chair and past-Chair of the UNOS/OPTN Lung Committee, Dr. Erika Lease and Dr. Marie Budev, join Coffee & Compatibility to discuss the innovative changes in the new deceased donor lung allocation model in the United States. Join us to learn about the advances and challenges in lung allocation.

The podcast team hosts Phillip Fisher for a discussion on creative continuing education opportunities that can advance your career.

Dr. James Lan joins Coffee & Compatibility to continue the discussion on equity and innovation in solid organ transplantation. Register for the 2023 ASHI Annual Meeting by clicking here: https://2023.ashi-hla.org/registration

On this episode, we talked with Mr. John Sadowski, the Lead Technologist at UPMC for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). Mr. Sadowski performed beta testing of the Oxford Nanopore System for HLA sequencing and he walks us through how nanopore sequencing works and names the advantages and disadvantages compared to other sequencing methods.

Dr. Loren Gragert discusses recent and future data tools developed to enhance and optimize solid organ transplant offer assessments and tools on the horizon, as well as the system updates that will be vital to their future applications.

In this episode, we interview Sharon Adams about her career in HLA, overcoming common challenges faced by technologists, and her advice for the next generation.

This episode of Coffee & Compatibility is dedicated to Tyler Douglas Weeks, son of ASHI's Accreditation Manager, Melissa Weeks, who passed away on April 5, 2023. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to the 1p36 deletion syndrome association in Tyler’s memory.  It's Medical Laboratory's Professionals Week! Click here to learn more about how you can celebrate with ASHI, and win prizes! On this episode we discuss how Dr. Nicholas Brown has made his way within ASHI. Dr. Brown discusses how he went from Fellow to Director, his leadership experience at ASHI, and balancing volunteer commitments. On our newest segment "The Tea", we answer a listener's questions on NMDP's organ allocation system. Don't forget to hit the subscribe button!

We introduce our new co-host, Mr. Jeremy Sherrill! In an interview with Bioinformatician Dr. Abeer Madouly, we discuss the evolving role of race, ethnicity, and ancestry in the field of immunogenetics. Dr. Madouly discusses how and why they are used in HLA genotyping now and in the future. We also answer a question from listener regarding CHS testing in our newest segment, The Tea.

In this episode, we dive into the considerations behind choosing HLA-matched vs. haplo-identical HSCT donors and the clinical innovations that are driving increases in haplo-identical HSCT. 

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Sam Ho for a discussion on how virtual crossmatch is being utilized in different laboratory models in the U.S. and how requests for federal regulatory changes and organ allocation models are impacting its future application.

Discussion on the development of Machine Learning approaches and advancements within the ML/AI technology towards application with transplantation.

Check out this live recording of Coffee & Compatibility from the 2022 ASHI Annual Meeting. Podcast hosts Drs. Eric Weimer and Kelley Hitchman interview ASHI's CEO Ms. Katherine Giovetsis, Dr. Peter Lalli, Dr. Luis Hidalgo, and Ms. Carey Killion.

In this episode, Mr. James Nguyen, a Principal Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft Azure, discusses the application and design of machine learning approaches to healthcare. He talks about how applying his years of experience with big data analytics to modern healthcare challenges can aid in the solution of complex challenges. Topics will include data engineering, data quality, and most importantly, how to get started.