Medical Laboratory Science Students Hone their Knowledge in the 2023 Cell Bowl

Medical laboratory science (MLS) students from around the country are testing their knowledge of blood cell morphology in the third annual Cell Bowl, which began in early October.

Developed by YouTuber Tiffany Gill, MA, MLS(ASCP)^CM, aka, “Medical Lab Lady Gill” and sponsored by ASCP, the Cell Bowl tests the scientific knowledge of MLS and MLT students nationwide. The team competition offers an engaging way for medical laboratory students to enhance their knowledge of blood cell morphology and build professional networks while preparing for the ASCP Board of Certification exams.

The Cell Bowl uses a free blood cell identification quiz in a tutorial app, created by CellaVision, for students in each team to submit their weekly high score. Program faculty then submit the best score as the “team’s” score for the week. Each week during the competition, Medical Lab Lady Gill and Aaron Odegard, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CMSM^CM, a past chair of the ASCP Council of Laboratory Professionals, announce the weekly winners, discuss information about the profession and certification, and provide a tutorial on a specific blood cell line. Other hematology professors, specialists, and current Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) students guest star in the Cell Bowl episodes on Medical Lab Lady Gill’s YouTube channel to discuss these topics.

During the first month, teams compete against others within their geographical region. The top two teams in each region will then advance to the week five playoffs. Teams that make it to the playoffs compete for one of the three semifinal spots in week six. The final two teams will then compete in week seven’s Super Cell Bowl. Members of the winning team will each receive a certificate, ASCP BOC Study Guides, and Interactive Practice Exam Bundles.

Professor Gill, coordinator of the Medical Laboratory Technology program at the College of Southern Maryland and member of the ASCP Social Media Committee, initially developed the Cell Bowl for her medical laboratory technician students and wanted to share this fun educational tool with educators across ASCP’s membership. Professor Gill loves to engage medical laboratory students in learning and educates through her YouTube channel, Medical Lab Lady Gill.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks to see which team will win the championship and receive the Super Cell Bowl trophy.