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Maria Alice V. Willrich, Ph.D.

  1. Chemist
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Departments

Location

  1. Rochester, Minnesota

Languages

English

Existing patients

Maria Alice Willrich, Ph.D., is a clinical chemist with focus in clinical and diagnostic immunology. She is a consultant in the department of laboratory medicine and pathology and oversees laboratory testing in different clinical laboratories within the division of clinical biochemistry and immunology.

Her focus includes test development in the following areas:

  • Expertise in monoclonal antibody therapies monitoring using laboratory tests
  • Monoclonal gammopathies laboratory testing using routine and novel mass spectrometry methods
  • Improving the use of biomarkers for diagnosis of demyelinating diseases
  • Studying for the complement system in the setting of immunodeficiencies and rare disorders

Besides clinical laboratory testing interests, Dr. Willrich is active in research and education, serving as associate program director for the post-doctoral clinical chemistry fellowship program at Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Maria Willrich's research projects span four areas related to immunology: laboratory testing for the monoclonal gammopathies, analysis of immunoglobulins free light chains in cerebrospinal fluid, the complement system and development of innovative methods of detection for monoclonal antibody therapeutics using mass spectrometry.

  1. 2014
    ResidentClinical Chemistry, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  2. 2011
    PhDPharmaceutical Sciences & Clinical Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo
  3. 2006
    MSPharmaceutical Sciences & Clinical Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo
  4. 2003
    BSPharmaceutical Sciences & Clinical Analyses, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Certifications

  1. 2014
    Clinical ChemistryAmerican Board of Clinical Chemistry

Awards and honors

  1. 2023
    Teacher of the Year AwardDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
  2. 2021
    Outstanding Scientific Achievements by a Young InvestigatorAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  3. 2015
    Young Investigator AwardAssociation for Medical Laboratory Immunologists
  4. 2014
    Laboratory Scientist AwardAssociation for Medical Laboratory Immunologists
  5. 2014
    Second place, Student Poster ContestAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  6. 2014
    Student Travel Grant AwardAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  7. 2014
    Best Abstract for the Pediatric Maternal Fetal Division Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  8. 2014
    Paul E. Strandjord Young Investigator Award Academy of Clinical Physicians and Scientists for 2014
  9. 2014
    Young Investigator AwardMass Spectrometry Applications to the Clinical Laboratory
  10. 2014
    Midwest Richard Marshall Education AwardAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry Midwest Section
  11. 2013
    Midwest Richard Marshall Education AwardAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry
  12. 2013
    First place, Student Poster ContestAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  13. 2013
    NACB Distinguished Abstract AwardAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  14. 2013
    Best Abstract Award for the Proteomics DivisionAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  15. 2013
    Student Travel Grant AwardAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  16. 2013
    Paul E. Strandjord Young Investigator Award Academy of Clinical Physicians and Scientists
  17. 2013
    Trainee Travel AwardMass Spectrometry Applications to the Clinical Laboratory
  18. 2010
    Student Travel Grant AwardAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
  19. 2007
    Student Travel Grant AwardAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)

Professional memberships

  1. 2022 - present
    Program DirectorDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Clinical Chemistry Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program
  2. 2021 - 2023
    Vice ChairDiagnostic Immunology and Flow Cytometry (DIFCC) Committee, College of AMerican Pathologists
  3. 2020 - 2022
    ChairAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Diagnostic Immunology
  4. 2019 - present
    MemberDLMP Grand Rounds Planning Committee, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
  5. 2018 - 2023
    MemberDiagnostic Immunology and Flow Cytometry (DIFCC) Committee, College of AMerican Pathologists
  6. 2018 - 2022
    Associate Program DirectorClinical Chemistry Fellowship Program, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
  7. 2017 - 2022
    Inclusive Culture Subgroup LeaderDLMP MCS Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Committee
  8. 2017 - 2019
    Chair ElectAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Diagnostic Immunology
  9. 2017
    2017 Meeting Program Committee MemberAssociation for Medical Laboratory Immunologists
  10. 2016 - 2018
    MemberSpecimen Stewardship Group for the EPIC Transition
  11. 2016 - 2019
    Working Group MemberInternational Federation of Clinical Chemistry
  12. 2016 - present
    MemberThe Antibody Society
  13. 2015 - 2021
    Committee MemberQuality Team in CBI
  14. 2015 - 2018
    AmbassadorAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry, Artery Ambassador
  15. 2015 - 2017
    Education CoordinatorAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Diagnostic Immunology
  16. 2015 - present
    MemberComplement Alternative Pathway Thrombotic Microangiopathy (CAP-TMA) Disease Oriented Group
  17. 2014 - 2021
    CouncilorAssociation for Medical Laboratory Immunologists
  18. 2014 - 2016
    SecretaryAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry, Midwest Local Section
  19. 2014 - present
    MemberMayo Clinic Alumni Association
  20. 2013 - present
    MemberAcademy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists
  21. 2006 - 2022
    MemberAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry, Society for Young Clinical Laboratorians
  22. 2006 - present
    MemberAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)

Publications