When Luminex products get to our customers’ hands, we want to ensure that every single one performs exactly as it should. That’s why quality control is so important at our company. We count on people like Shari Schoene, Manager of Reagent Quality Control. She’s been with us since 2010 and holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.

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Q: What are your responsibilities at Luminex?

A: I’m responsible for Reagent QC and Metrology. My role involves supporting production through functional testing of the product, labeling, raw material inspections, and maintenance stability, but it’s really about ensuring quality products are going out the door.

Q: How did you get started on this career path?

A: As a kid, I was always really curious, and science was a big thing for me. I thought I’d grow up to be a paleontologist or a gemologist. By the time I got to college, biology was what interested me most. After graduating, I took an opportunity that led me to the biotech industry, and that’s how I eventually got to Luminex.

Q: What do you like about quality control?

A: I like routine, and I’m a little bit of a perfectionist. QC is all about ensuring that our products meet our specifications before we release them to our customers for use. Through my job, I’m always striving to do better by creating consistent QC processes.

Q: What drew you to the company?

A: In 2010, I joined EraGen—a small company that manufactured molecular diagnostic testing reagents—when a friend who worked there told me about an opportunity in QC. We were acquired by Luminex shortly after that. There are still a handful of the old EraGen folks at Luminex today!

Q: If you could solve any clinical or genetic challenge, what would it be?

A: Cancer. It affects so many people and it’s personal for everybody, including myself, because we all have somebody who’s been affected.

Q: If you weren’t at Luminex, where would you be?

A: I would probably own a restaurant with my husband. He’s an excellent cook. My dad and my brother are also chefs, and I’m no slouch, myself! My whole family loves cooking and entertaining.

Q: What is something about you that no one at Luminex knows?

A: I’ve been a beekeeper for more than 12 years. I live in the city and have three hives in the backyard. My dad’s a beekeeper too, and at the end of every summer, we do a big honey harvest together.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do on the weekend?

A: I really like going to see live music — there’s a great local music scene in Madison. I also like to incorporate travel with seeing my favorite bands.

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