Joan O'Connell-Spalla, MSEd, MT(ASCP), is an American Society of Clinical Pathologists-certified medical laboratory scientist. She holds an Ohio teaching license in secondary science education and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. O’Connell-Spalla is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in educational leadership. She is an assistant professor and program director in the Dr. Dominic A. and Helen M. Bitonte College of Health and Human Services for the Medical Laboratory Science Programs at Youngstown State University. O’Connell-Spalla’s primary teaching responsibilities include microbiology, parasitology, virology, and clinical chemistry.