About Critical Values

Without innovation, creativity, and new ideas, science and medicine wither. In pathology and laboratory medicine, new leadership is essential to ensure high-quality patient care now and in the future. With this goal in mind, the ASCP 40 Under Forty program recognizes the field’s rising stars – pathologists, residents, and laboratory professionals, poised to be tomorrow’s leaders. Of the 40 honorees, five individuals are further recognized as the Top Five, through a combination of committee selection and public voting.   

This year’s Top Five have diverse backgrounds and interests, yet share several attributes. All five have a passionate love of the field, and deep gratitude to their mentors. They’re all committed to moving the needle on patient outcomes. All five exude optimism about the field of pathology, their role in it, and life in general. We think it’s safe to say that the field is in good hands.  

Here’s a look at 2024’s top five honorees:  

Khaleel Al-Obaidy, MBBS, FASCP, D-ABP 

Dr. Khaleel Al-Obaidy is a senior staff pathologist at Henry Ford Health, specializing in genitourinary, head and neck, and molecular pathology. His journey into the field of pathology began in medical school. "I was fascinated by the way cells look, by histology and pathology classes. I just loved the lab," he recalls. "Once I became an intern, there was no way I was going to do anything else. I was all in for pathology." 

Dr. Al-Obaidy has made significant strides in research, including the discovery of a unique molecular alteration, KRAS mutations, in a kidney tumor they named "papillary renal neoplasm with reverse polarity." While he continues to push the boundaries of his research, Dr. Al-Obaidy is also committed to nurturing the next generation of pathologists. He emphasizes the importance of guiding residents and medical students on their journey. 

Despite his achievements, he admits to being taken aback when he made it into the Top Five of the ASCP 40 Under Forty honors list. "It's an honor that reassures me I’m on the right track," he shares with a sense of pride. Reflecting on the recognition, he expresses heartfelt gratitude: "Being named one of the top five is a profound honor. This recognition is a testament to the unwavering support of my wife, parents, and family. Their encouragement and belief have been my foundation throughout this journey."  

He is also quick to acknowledge the mentors who have shaped his career. "I am profoundly grateful to my mentors: the late Dr. David Grignon, the late Dr. John Eble, Dr. Dalal Altamimi, Dr. Thomas Ulbright, Dr. Liang Cheng, Dr. Mohammad Idrees, and Dr. Matthew Kuhar. Their wisdom, guidance, and relentless support have been instrumental in my professional development, and I cherish their impact on my career. This achievement would not have been possible without their collective influence and the steadfast support of those closest to me," Dr. Al-Obaidy reflects. 

Brittany J. Bell, MS, MBA, MLS(ASCP)^CM, MB^CM  

Brittany Bell is Vice President of Commercial Pharma Services at NeoGenomics Laboratories Inc., a clinical diagnostic laboratory company specializing in cancer genetics testing and information services. She holds ASCP certifications in medical laboratory science and molecular biology.  

Ms. Bell was always interested in pathology and laboratory medicine. “I loved looking under microscopes when I was younger. I gravitated towards anything I could get my hands on that furthered my understanding of medical laboratory science,” she says. Currently, she is strongly focused on support of patient care, and for the early to late phase clinical oncology trials her company supports. She is dedicated to leading and supporting her team, so that they can be as effective as possible furthering the organization goal of leveraging our broad portfolio of oncology tests to support drug development.  

“Being part of the Top Five is an honor and enables me to show the laboratory community the industry side of our shared field. There’s a multitude of career paths within our industry that should be highlighted and supported for future generations of leaders. I’m thrilled to showcase the collaboration of medical laboratory science and the clinical lab industry for other young women interested in our space” she says. 

Ms. Bell is a self-proclaimed “people person,” who loves speaking to people at all walks of life about alternative career paths in science. “We need more awareness of all the avenues that are available to the next generation of curious young minds. I want to continue to highlight that,” she says.    

Kimberly Fiock, PhD, QBRS^CM 

Dr. Kimberly Fiock is a staff scientist in the Department of Pathology at the University of Iowa, where she runs the Iowa Neuropathology Resource Laboratory. The laboratory focuses on the study of brain development and the origins of neurodegenerative diseases, as well as provides human brain tissue and histology services to collaborators. Her current research centers on neurodegenerative tauopathies.  

Dr. Fiock became interested in disease and illness because she was frequently sick as a child. “I always wondered what made people get sick,” she says. During college, she had the opportunity to intern at a pathology laboratory that ran a brain and body program. After that, there was no going back. “I got a name for this thing that had always interested me,” she explains. In addition to research, Dr. Fiock spends an extensive amount of time doing outreach and education geared toward getting kids interested in pathology and laboratory medicine.  

At the ripe old age of 28, she never imagined being selected for the 40 Under Forty, let alone the Top Five. Despite her youth, her legacy and impact on future generations of scientists is important to her. “I want to touch people’s lives so that they go on to do bigger and bigger things. The community, the people I educate, and the students, if I have an impact on them, that’s the best legacy you can have,” she says.   

Dr. Fiock is very open about the mental health struggles she experienced during graduate school. “Many people wrote me off because I’m the third generation in my family to have bipolar disorder. It’s very important that people know you can have a mental health condition and still achieve the things you want, plus have a positive impact on the people around you,” she says.  

Viharkumar (Vihar) Patel, MD, FASCP 

Dr. Vihar Patel is Assistant Professor, Division of Clinical Pathology, at UC Davis Health Medical Center. He is also Founder of the SABER (Skaters Advancing Brain Education and Research) Foundation. Dr. Patel specializes in surgical pathology and neuropathology. 

Dr. Patel was born in India and raised in California, where he became a passionate skateboarder. “My family in India had never seen a skateboard, but I’m good at it, and love it. When I was 17 years old, I started to wonder why I was so adept at this sport. That internal query inspired me to go into neuroscience,” he says. This experience also made him think about the need for exposure to this field.   

Dr. Patel wasn’t familiar with pathology until he got to medical school. “Once I started to learn about pathology, it all came together. I had these moments where I thought, ok, this makes sense. Connecting those dots eventually led me to neuropathology,” he explains.  

In addition to his research into Alzheimer’s disease and brain tumors from a metabolic perspective, Dr. Patel is also extensively involved in medical education. “I enjoy teaching, and want a footprint in medical education. When I was starting my pathology journey, there weren’t a lot of people doing it. I had to find my own way. I don’t want it to be that difficult for others to find this path,” he explains. Dr. Patel likens it to skateboarding. “If you don’t try something, you’ll never know if you can do it,” he says. He plans on using his position in the Top Five as a way to increase awareness of the field of laboratory medicine.  

Steven Springer, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CM, PA^CM, MB^CM 

Steven Springer is Vice President of Operations at Caris Life Sciences, a molecular profiling technology company geared towards improving outcomes for cancer patients. Mr. Springer’s main focus is to make sure the business is scalable, and to solve problems, should they arise. He is also strongly committed to helping his staff grow into leadership roles. “Giving them tools to succeed is hugely satisfying. So is finding innovative solutions to problems,” he says.  

In addition to his work at Caris, Mr. Springer was the proprietor of a private autopsy company that provides services for mesothelioma victims and private families seeking answers. His background also includes several leadership roles of increasing responsibilities at Kaiser Permanente, CareDx, and Foundation Medicine.  

Despite his contributions to the field, Mr. Springer was shocked to make it into the Top Five. “I didn’t expect it, and I’m super proud, and humbled by it,” he said. One of his goals is to advance awareness of the profession and to help set industry standards. He’s gratified to receive this honor, because it will aid him in these goals. “Right now, being in the molecular pathology field is exciting. I liken it to the Silicon Valley tech boom of the 1990s. One of my mentors always said that passing the flame to another candle doesn’t make yours any dimmer. I want to pass my knowledge along to the next generation,” he says.