Biographical summary
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.
Interests
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.
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2014
Post Doctoral FellowshipClinical Chemistry, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2014
ResidentClinical Chemistry, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
- 2011
PhDPharmaceutical Sciences & Clinical Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo
- 2006
MSPharmaceutical Sciences & Clinical Chemistry, University of Sao Paulo
- 2003
BSPharmaceutical Sciences & Clinical Analyses, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2014
Clinical ChemistryAmerican Board of Clinical Chemistry
Awards and honors
- 2023
Teacher of the Year AwardDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
- 2021
Outstanding Scientific Achievements by a Young InvestigatorAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- 2015
Young Investigator AwardAssociation for Medical Laboratory Immunologists
- 2014
Laboratory Scientist AwardAssociation for Medical Laboratory Immunologists
- 2014
Second place, Student Poster ContestAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- 2014
Student Travel Grant AwardAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- 2014
Best Abstract for the Pediatric Maternal Fetal Division Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- 2014
Paul E. Strandjord Young Investigator Award Academy of Clinical Physicians and Scientists for 2014
- 2014
Young Investigator AwardMass Spectrometry Applications to the Clinical Laboratory
- 2014
Midwest Richard Marshall Education AwardAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry Midwest Section
- 2013
Midwest Richard Marshall Education AwardAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry
- 2013
First place, Student Poster ContestAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- 2013
NACB Distinguished Abstract AwardAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- 2013
Best Abstract Award for the Proteomics DivisionAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- 2013
Student Travel Grant AwardAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- 2013
Paul E. Strandjord Young Investigator Award Academy of Clinical Physicians and Scientists
- 2013
Trainee Travel AwardMass Spectrometry Applications to the Clinical Laboratory
- 2010
Student Travel Grant AwardAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- 2007
Student Travel Grant AwardAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
Professional memberships
- 2024 - present
Chair of Immunology and Infectious Disease DivisionAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine
- 2022 - present
Program DirectorDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Clinical Chemistry Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program
- 2021 - 2023
Vice ChairDiagnostic Immunology and Flow Cytometry (DIFCC) Committee, College of American Pathologists
- 2020 - 2022
ChairAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Diagnostic Immunology
- 2019 - present
MemberDLMP Grand Rounds Planning Committee, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
- 2018 - 2022
Associate Program DirectorDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Clinical Chemistry Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program
- 2018 - 2023
MemberDiagnostic Immunology and Flow Cytometry (DIFCC) Committee, College of American Pathologists
- 2017 - 2022
Inclusive Culture Subgroup LeaderDLMP MCS Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Committee
- 2017 - 2019
Chair ElectAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Diagnostic Immunology
- 2017
2017 Meeting Program Committee MemberAssociation for Medical Laboratory Immunologists
- 2016 - 2018
MemberSpecimen Stewardship Group for the EPIC Transition
- 2016 - 2019
Working Group MemberInternational Federation of Clinical Chemistry
- 2016 - present
MemberThe Antibody Society
- 2015 - 2021
Committee MemberQuality Team in CBI
- 2015 - 2018
AmbassadorAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry, Artery Ambassador
- 2015 - 2017
Education CoordinatorAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Diagnostic Immunology
- 2015 - present
MemberComplement Alternative Pathway Thrombotic Microangiopathy (CAP-TMA) Disease Oriented Group
- 2014 - 2021
CouncilorAssociation for Medical Laboratory Immunologists
- 2014 - 2016
SecretaryAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry, Midwest Local Section
- 2014 - present
MemberMayo Clinic Alumni Association
- 2013 - present
MemberAcademy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists
- 2006 - 2022
MemberAmerican Association for Clinical Chemistry, Society for Young Clinical Laboratorians
- 2006 - present
MemberAssociation for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
Publications