Leadership

Karla Alvarez brings over 18 years of diverse laboratory experience spanning clinical, research, and industry settings. She has a strong track record in managing complex lab operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and leading high-performing teams—all rooted in a solid foundation in molecular oncology.

Most recently, as Scientist II at Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Clinical Sequencing Division, Karla led analytical and clinical validation studies in a regulated environment, collaborating across Clinical Affairs, R&D, and CROs. She contributed to ISO13485 and FDA mock inspections and spearheaded practical process improvement projects in workflow efficiency and document standardization.

Previously, at Texas Children’s Hospital’s Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Karla served as a Technical Specialist overseeing test workflows, scheduling, and staff training. She played a key role in maintaining CAP compliance, implementing new LDTs, and mentoring technologists and pathology trainees.

Her earlier work at Baylor College of Medicine and The Methodist Hospital Research Institute honed her skills in molecular laboratory techniques, protocol development, inventory control, and cross-functional collaboration. Throughout her career, she has led process improvements, technical troubleshooting, and training programs, establishing herself as a go-to resource for operational leadership.

Karla holds a B.S. in Microbiology with a Chemistry minor (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Houston-Downtown and is certified as a Technologist in Molecular Biology by the American Society for Clinical Pathology, MB(ASCP)^CM.

As a Clinical Lab Manager, she brings a solutions-focused mindset, strong organizational skills, and a passion for building efficient, compliant, and collaborative lab environments that support cutting-edge molecular testing and research.