Nevada Donor Network Clinical Laboratories

Dr. Phillip Ruiz is the Medical Director for the Clinical laboratory at Nevada Donor Network. Dr. Ruiz is an internationally recognized expert in transplantation-pathology, histocompatibility, immunology and immunopathology. He received his PhD in immunology from the University of Florida, his MD from George Washington University and his residency (pathology)/ fellowship training at Duke University. He has been at the University of Miami since 1989, where he is a Professor of Pathology and Surgery, the Medical Director of the Transplant Laboratories and Director of Immunopathology. His research interests include immune tolerance, subclinical rejection and the interaction of inmate immunity with alloreactivity. He has more than 485 peer-reviewed journal articles and numerous chapters and is a frequently invited speaker at worldwide meetings. He is on the editorial board and/or a reviewer of numerous journals and a member of many professional organizations.

Zahra Mehdizadeh Kashi, PhD, HCLD, is a board-certified molecular immunohematologist with over 33 years of leadership in clinical laboratories. Dr. Kashi completed her undergraduate studies in Clinical laboratory Science (CLS) at Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU). After successful CLA board certifications, she began her HLA career. Dr. Kashi pursued her graduate studies by attending Portland State University (PSU), where she obtained her Master’s Degree in Immunology. Dr. Kashi obtained her doctorate degree in molecular immunohematology from Portland State University. She also completed the Michigan Ross Executive MBA Program at the University of Michigan. After graduation, she successfully obtained her Board certification and was appointed as the Histocompatibility Laboratory Director of the American Red Cross (ARC). Despite the progressive advancement of responsibilities in her career with the ARC, she established (Kashi Clinical Laboratories) to better support cellular therapy advancements. Her goal was to offer services to better patient care before and after transplantation. Dr. Kashi has managed a quality operation in the field of transplantation and transfusion support for over 32 years. Her main research interest is the role of histocompatibility molecules in the pathophysiology of Transfusion-Related Acute Lung injury (TRALI). Dr. Kashi is active in various regulatory agencies including the American Society of Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (ASHI), College of American Pathologists (CAP) and American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) where she has served in many roles ranging from inspecting laboratories to serving on the Board of Directors.

Immunogenetics

The Immunogenetics Laboratory provides testing to support solid organ transplantation by performing human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing for donors and recipients, HLA antibody testing to identify anti-HLA antibodies and flow crossmatches to assess donor-recipient compatibility. In addition, Nevadan Donor Network also performs and interprets antibody screens for Donor Specific Antibodies (DSA) after transplant.

As the only HLA laboratory in the State of Nevada, the HLA team provides testing for the University Medical Center for Transplantation of Southern Nevada (UMCSN) as well as our clients in Arizona and California.

The HLA laboratory is accredited by American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI), certified by CLIA and licensed by the State of Nevada for high-complexity testing.

Nevada Donor Network Laboratories

Immunogenetics and Transplant Pathology

Accreditations

Medical Director of Clinical Laboratories

Associate Laboratory Director

Immunogenetics

Transplant Pathology

Contact our Clinical Laboratories