By Lauren Whitman

We launched the LuminexPLORE Lab to help scientists around the world get answers faster. The LuminexPLORE Lab team handles custom assay development and a host of other custom projects based on our xMAP^® Technology. For this kind of work, we rely on people like Sloane Peck, Associate Scientist II, to make sure we deliver the best outcomes to our clients. She joined Luminex in 2021 and has both a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin in cellular and molecular biology.

Q: What are your responsibilities at Luminex?

A: Most of my work is in custom assay development, and I also spearhead most of the sample testing that comes through. I work with other scientists in the LuminexPLORE Lab and with our clients. If I develop an assay or am responsible for a step in the protocol, I’ll present that to the client myself.

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

A: I started noticing I was very interested in science in high school. I had this teacher for AP biology — she was the hardest teacher at the school, but I adored her. She made the class so interactive. She had been a researcher before teaching, so she gave me my first glimpse of what it’s like to be a scientist. I went into college with biology in mind, and it was microbiology that really captured my interest.

Q: What drew you to the company?

A: Luminex’s multiplexing technology, and the assays we create for customers, can seem like a minor part of bigger projects, but it makes such a difference for people. Being part of this company gives me a way to help, and I feel fulfilled doing it. Building these assays is helping people get tested for diseases, or it’s furthering research, or it has some other benefit. I also really like working with this team. We have a great vision. To elaborate, one of my favorite things about this team is that we really want to further research and help solve problems where we can, which aligns closely with my beliefs. While we are not directly helping patients by being medical doctors or nurses, we help them by building the bridge between gaps in knowledge so they can get more answers & live longer, healthier lives. And I see this throughout the team. Even when a project is very difficult, we use everything at our disposal to try to solve the problem at hand so the research on these projects can continue. The whole team doesn’t back away from a challenge and we all use their strengths to help make a difference where we can.

Q: What is something you wish more people knew about the LuminexPLORE Lab?

A: That we can do what you want if you just ask. Whenever there’s a new type of project, we will take a deep dive to see if it’s feasible first, and we won’t charge you for that. So, there’s no downside to asking.

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

A: I would say fungal infections such as Coccidioides, Cryptococcus, and Candida auris. The amount of funding that goes to these pathogens just isn’t enough, and the infections can be so severe. It’s something that we very much need to think about but it hasn’t gotten enough attention. I was thrilled when the HBO show “The Last of Us” came out because it got so many people to think about fungal infections for the first time. It’s important to pay attention because these pathogens are spreading rapidly and doctors need to be trained on them. Fungal infections are often misdiagnosed until it’s too late.

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

A: Probably teaching. Something my master’s program taught me was how much I love teaching and helping people find that spark. You can see it in their eyes when they have that lightbulb moment of understanding something new. Teachers have such a broad scope to help students and they have to be really multifaceted.

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

A: I can’t wink. I try, but instead of a friendly wink I make the most awkward-looking face you can imagine. I can close one eye and hold it closed but it just never looks right. It’s such a silly thing!

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

A: Go down to South Austin to soak up all the live music. You can do that almost any day in Austin — have good food with live music with all your friends. Something about being in a crowd listening to music is so comforting to me. I love that aspect of Austin.

 

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