Shawn Moloney and Nicole Ayres first crossed paths as classmates in the doctor of public health and clinical laboratory science program at USF’s College of Public Health (COPH). Despite coming from different backgrounds—Moloney, originally from Kansas, and Ayres, from Jefferson City, Mo.—the two quickly bonded over their shared passion for laboratory science and public health.
Born in Kansas, Moloney was raised in Michigan and eventually moved to Lansing to attend Michigan State University. “I have two bachelor’s degrees—one in history of art and the other in clinical laboratory sciences,” Moloney explained. “I also have a master’s in public health, all from Michigan State University.”
After years working in hospital and public health laboratories, Moloney found her current role overseeing the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories' Newborn Screening Laboratory, a position she has held for more than 10 years.
“In my role, our laboratory screens for 57 different disorders including metabolic, endocrine and molecular tests,” she said. “There are three unit managers and 25 testing personnel in my section and I oversee the regulatory compliance with our accrediting agency, the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Michigan screens around 100,000 infants a year for potentially life-threatening conditions.”
Ayres, on the other hand, had a more transient childhood due to her father's corporate career. “I lived in several places, including Texas, Minnesota and Missouri, attending eight different schools before high school,” Ayres shared.
She eventually returned to Jefferson City, Mo., for her undergraduate studies at Lincoln University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree[NP1] in animal sciences, and then her master of public administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
She decided to continue her education in public health by joining the DrPH program at the COPH, a decision that would eventually bring her and Moloney together. “The program was intense,” Ayres said. “The first summer institute was very exciting, but also insanely intense. It was a huge opportunity to bond with the cohort.”
“The bond in our cohort was definitely solidified during the second institute in the summer,” Moloney recalled, referring to their connection during a summer session of the DrPH program. Ayres agreed, saying, “We all became fast friends during that time, which has been invaluable as we’ve moved through the program together.”
DrPH students and faculty meet in person on-campus during a summer institute. The DrPH degree is completed through distance learning with only three mandatory on-campus institutes which allow public health laboratory professionals to connect with other professionals and broaden their public health practice. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Engagement and Constituent Relations)
Ayers added, “Shawn and I had similar interests and I looked up to her as a mentor from the beginning.” Moloney saw potential in Ayres as well and knew that her skills and passion for public health would be a great fit for Michigan's laboratory system. “At dinner one night, Nicole was telling me how much she loved Michigan and I knew of a position coming up at the Michigan State Public Health Laboratory,” Moloney recalled. “I sent her the posting immediately hoping it would be the right fit.”
Ayres, eager but aware of the competitive job market, was grateful for Moloney’s support. “I love Michigan and I had vacationed here before with my husband. I had hoped I would find a job here, but I knew how competitive it could be,” Ayres said. “Shawn’s support made all the difference. She kept sending me job opportunities, which really helped me keep my focus.”
The result was a successful job search that not only saw Ayres joining Moloney’s team, but also deepened their friendship and professional collaboration.
Ayres landed the role as the food, enteric pathogen and sexually transmitted infection unit manager in the microbiology section of the Michigan State Public Health Laboratory.
“When I finally found the right position, it felt like everything clicked,” Ayres said. “It was a perfect match for my career goals and interests in food testing and enteric organism testing. In my role, I oversee food testing including our food emergency response network and FDA food testing, enteric testing including Shiga toxin producing E. coli, Shigella and Salmonella among many other enteric organisms as well at Chlamydia and Gonorrhea molecular testing, Neisseria sp. culture and phenotypic resistance testing and pertussis testing.”
In addition to supervising bench microbiologists, Ayers said she also oversees regulatory compliance for CAP and ISO17025 within her unit.
Moloney, who had been offering guidance throughout the process, was thrilled when Ayres secured the job. “I’m so proud of Nicole. She is incredibly talented and I knew she would be an asset to our team,” Moloney said. “It’s been wonderful to work alongside her now, as she makes a real impact on public health through her leadership.”
Now, both Moloney and Ayres work side by side in Michigan’s public health laboratories, their shared dedication to public health and laboratory science continues to shape their professional journeys.
“It’s exciting to be able to work with someone I admire so much,” Ayres said. “Shawn has been an incredible mentor and it’s great to be able to collaborate with her as we continue to grow in our careers. My move to Michigan has been an immensely positive experience for me, both professionally and personally, and I am deeply thankful to Shawn and the rest of my cohort for their support.”
Moloney is equally enthusiastic about their collaboration, stating, “It’s been a pleasure to have Nicole as a colleague. We’re both working toward American Board of Bioanalysis certification for high complexity clinical laboratory directors and it’s nice to know we’re on this journey together. I’m proud of all she’s achieved.”
Through mentorship, professional support and their shared commitment to public health, their connection has evolved from classmates to colleagues, proving the power of education, networking and mentorship in advancing careers in the public health field.