Inova Histology Program coordinator Nicholas Hoo-Fatt is helping inspire and nurture a new generation of histology professionals
Inova Histology Program Coordinator and PhD candidate Nicholas Hoo-Fatt has been named one of the Top 55 Laboratory Professionals in the U.S. under the age of 55 by Medical Laboratory Observer. He also is the recipient of the 2024 Excellence in Whole Slide Imaging & Image Analysis Award, given by the National Society for Histotechnology. This award recognizes one individual’s outstanding dedication and achievements in digital pathology and contributions to the field of immunochemistry.
Nic was nominated due to his innovative work combining bioinformatics, histo-molecular techniques and digital imaging to pioneer a method of detecting non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma, colorectal and thyroid cancer. The technique has since been implemented in Inova’s diagnostic labs.
As part of his role at Inova, Nic leads the recruitment and training of histology practitioners for Inova’s competitive training program. Histotechnicians and histotechnologists are detail-oriented professionals who work behind the scenes studying patients’ tissue samples to help identify and diagnose diseases. The shortage of trained laboratory scientists is a current issue in the healthcare industry.
Nic works tirelessly to get science students interested in applying for Inova’s competitive program, bringing his enthusiasm (and cool lab equipment, which the students love) to recruiting events and on-campus summer science programs at local colleges.
Recent events included a presentation to George Mason University students, and several visits to speak with emerging “STEM”, Latina “STEM” and Early Identification program (EIP) kids in their junior and senior years at local high schools.
Nic is proud to report that most of his students go on to enter post-Bachelor degree studies, such as Masters, PhD and MD programs. In the previous 3 years in a row, he has helped to cultivate the NSH Student scholarship award winners. (A program recognizing top histology students in the U.S.)
Nic says “there is a great need for Histotechnologists and other laboratory professionals, as they play a vital role in care provided to our patients. These professionals are well trained in diverse methods using the latest technologies that help in diagnosis and treatments of patients.”
According to Brian Fitzgerald, writing for clpmag.com, the shortage of qualified laboratory professionals “has major implications for the healthcare industry, because behind the scenes in support of nearly every stage of the healthcare continuum is a medical laboratory scientist.”
By setting a great example for the next generation of histology professionals at Inova, Nic is helping enrich and grow one part of the future healthcare workforce to serve Inova’s patients better. Having well trained histology and other laboratory professionals translates into more accurate patient results and fast turnaround time (TAT).
Nic is currently a PhD candidate in bioinformatics and computational biology at George Mason University (GMU) as well as the Inova’s histology program education coordinator and serving as a senior histotechnologist in molecular and digital pathology.
His current projects with Dr. Melissa N. Yacur (Inova Schar Cancer), Dr. Saleet Jafri (GMU) and Dr. Myong Ho “Lucy” Nam (Inova Central Laboratory) include the validation of AI tools for clinical use using machine learning (ML) algorithm for predictive gene expression signatures that is predictive of drug response and survival time.
Former achievements included presenting his work at the 2022 ASCP Conference in Chicago, Illinois. Nic was the only non-medical doctor (MD) presenter at the meeting to earn a blue ribbon “top five finalist” award. This project included the development and validation of real time Rapid PCR for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and PD-L1 algorithm scoring system using machine learning to provide same day to 24 hrs. Turnaround time (TAT), for patients in critical need with stage 3 and 4 metastatic NSCLC which has been implemented here at Inova Health system.
Go deeper: Read Nic’s profile on the MLO website
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