Linda Ward

Linda Ward has worked in the laboratory and research field since 1995. Linda started as a Research Assistant and Chemistry Lab Instructor at The University of Southern Mississippi, followed by a Research Assistant position at Baylor College of Medicine in 1997. In 2001, they became a Laboratory Technician III at Identigene, where they also served as the Laboratory Safety Officer. In 2003, they were a Graduate Student Intern at the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. In 2004, they were a Research Assistant at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Biology, working on a project to develop a multiplexed TaqMan® probe-based real-time PCR assay for detection of total and pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria. In 2005, they became a Forensic DNA Analyst at Identigene. In 2006, they joined SpectraCell Laboratories, Inc. as a Laboratory Technician in several departments and participated in research and development projects to validate and add new assays to the testing menu. Linda then played a key role in establishing a new Molecular Genetics department for the company, and served as the lead of that department for 4 years before becoming the Laboratory Supervisor. In 2018, they joined Gene By Gene as a Laboratory Manager, then Assistant Laboratory Manager, and finally Laboratory Operations Coordinator.

Linda Ward earned their Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1996. Linda then went on to earn their Master of Science in Forensic Science and Technology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2005.