The Data Is the Data: Linoj Samuel’s Journey Through War and Uncertainty to Leadership in Microbiology

In this episode, Duane has a conversation with Dr. Linoj Samuel, Division Head of Microbiology at Henry Ford Health in Detroit.  Linoj shares his personal and professional journey, from growing up in Kuwait as an Indian expatriate to experiencing the First Gulf War, fleeing through Iraq to a refugee camp in Jordan, and later adapting to life in India before returning to Kuwait. Linoj describes how early curiosity about outbreaks led him to study medical microbiology, pursue graduate training in the U.S., and complete a PhD focused on tuberculosis while witnessing the realities of basic science funding. He explains how discovering ASM CPEP programs led to fellowship training at the University of Rochester with Marilyn Menegus, whose mentorship emphasized curiosity and patient-centered work. Linoj discusses a variety of challenges he’s faced (transitioning from fellow to director, imposter syndrome, lab consolidations) as well as his ability to build a psychologically safe workspace, while staying grounded and connected.  Importantly, Linoj stresses the importance of clinical and scientific information driving decision-making, leaning into the Dr. Menegus’ saying, “The Data is the Data.”

0:00     Setting the Stage

3:45     Origin Story in Kuwait

6:00     Refugee Camp Lessons

12:44  Microbiology Path Begins

15:15  Finding the CPEP Fellowship

17:45  Mentorship Memories

19:58  Imposter Syndrome and Setbacks

25:11  Serving the Profession

33:18  From Fellow To Director

37:35  Building Psychological Safety

40:25  What’s Next In Career

46:14  Industry And The Future

49:53  Advice To Younger Self

52:39  The Data Is The Data

Connect with Duane here:

Email me: [email protected]

Podcast Website: www.navigatingyourpath.site

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@NavigatingYourPath

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/duanenewton/

Coaching Website: www.dwnconsult.com 

Finding Your Path in Clinical Microbiology: Dr. Ken Gavina on Mentorship, Saying No, and Building a Career

In this episode of Navigating Your Path, Duane talks with Dr. Ken Gavina, Medical Director of Clinical Microbiology and Serology at Eskenazi Health, and Assistant Professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine, about his path from Winnipeg to U.S. clinical lab leadership. Ken describes undergraduate research at Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory, PhD work in malaria diagnostics for low-resource settings, pivots through industry and a molecular diagnostics postdoc, and how COVID-19 work on high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 testing led him to a CPEP fellowship at Indiana University and an attending role in Indiana. He explains earning ASCP certifications during fellowship to better understand bench workflows and build credibility and shares how coaching and teaching shaped his mentoring style. Duane and Ken discuss Ken’s use of the Kirkpatrick Model of education, and reflect on choosing professional-society roles, learning to say no, and embracing mistakes to grow.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

03:30 First Meeting Story

05:17 Canada Roots and Early Research

06:24 PhD and Training Detours

09:10 COVID Testing and CPEP Choice

13:19 ASCP Certification During Fellowship

21:49 Teaching and Coaching Passion

26:15 Engagement and Kirkpatrick Model

32:32 Mentorship and Authenticity

39:38 Choosing What Matters

42:20 Networking Beyond Extroversion

47:34 Strategic “No” Decisions

49:25 Guilt, Fear, and Boundaries

52:10 When Yes Backfires

55:28 Self Awareness Guideposts

59:42 Next Level CV Building

01:02:22 Shiny Offers and Capacity

01:07:15 Advice to Younger Self

01:09:40 Embrace the Struggle

01:18:52 Closing

Connect with Duane here:

Email me: [email protected]

Podcast Website: www.navigatingyourpath.site

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@NavigatingYourPath

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/duanenewton/

Coaching Website: www.dwnconsult.com 

Trailblazing a Path from Bench Tech to Division Chief: Dr. Donna Wolk on Trusting Yourself, Building a Career, and Giving Grace

 In this episode, Duane talks with Dr. Donna Wolk, Division Chief of Molecular and Microbial Diagnostics and Development at Geisinger Health System.  Donna discusses her unconventional career path from bench technologist to PhD, CPEP fellowship at Mayo Clinic, leadership roles in Arizona, and return to Pennsylvania. She also describes being a first-generation college graduate and single parent, making career decisions driven by survival, patient-care impact, and a desire to stay in science, including a pivotal health discovery that relieved her back pain in the Arizona desert and influenced her move to the University of Arizona. Donna discusses learning to plan ahead, secure resources for microbiology through research and grants, navigate difficult workplace dynamics, and separate personal identity from job roles. Duane and Donna reflect on mentorship, intuition, giving oneself grace, and lessons from The Four Agreements and Think Again as she approaches succession planning and retirement.

00:00 Welcome

01:10 Boards Exam Memories

03:08 From Bench to PhD

04:44 Single Mom Leap of Faith

07:48 Desert Healing Turning Point

09:58 First Gen Career Reflections

12:19 Choosing Mayo Fellowship

14:40 Hawaii Wake Up Call

17:37 Building Research Muscle

21:56 Lessons and Paying Attention

24:48 Quotes Humility and Intuition

34:17 Roots, Role Models, and Penn State

38:56 Blue Collar Funding Reality

40:38 Proving Them Wrong

42:56 No One Will Save You

48:47 Finding Your Fit

52:25 Values Over Titles

54:37 North Star, Not Employer

58:14 Advocacy and Negotiation

01:05:56 Advice to Younger Self

01:13:33 Four Agreements Lessons

01:22:26 Closing 

Connect with Duane here:

Email me: [email protected]

Podcast Website: www.navigatingyourpath.site

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@NavigatingYourPath

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/duanenewton/

Coaching Website: www.dwnconsult.com 

From Military Brat to Lab Leader: Dr. Beth Marlowe on Community, Mentorship, and Leading Through Adversity

In this episode, Duane interviews his longtime friend Dr. Beth Marlowe, Executive Scientific Director for Infectious Diseases at Quest Diagnostics, about how their military-family upbringings shaped resilience, perspective, and a drive to build community. Beth recounts her father’s Vietnam service and her rural roots in Blythe, California, emphasizing community values, patient advocacy, and remembering where you came from. She traces her path from early dreams of being an astronaut to environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona, highlighting mentors and interdisciplinary training. They discuss mentorship as a “personal board of directors,” the value of travel and diverse perspectives, and Beth endorses the need for lab leaders to develop business and communication skills. She describes how joining Quest shortly before COVID strengthened her leadership through visibility, teamwork, psychological safety, and rapid decision-making under scrutiny.

00:00 Welcome

04:50 Happy Hour Community Vibes

09:12 Military Brat Roots

12:32 Blythe and Giving Back

19:45 Germany and Growing Up Abroad

26:43 From Astronaut Dreams to Micro

31:44 Grad School Mentors and Hawaii

38:45 Interdisciplinary Skills That Stick

41:53 Mentorship and Personal Board

46:18 Women in Leadership

49:37 Business Skills Gap

55:41 Travel and Perspective

01:00:05 Advice to Younger Self

01:09:22 Leading Through COVID

01:13:30 Psychological Safety

01:20:06 Community and Wrap Up

Connect with Duane here:

Email me: [email protected]

Podcast Website: www.navigatingyourpath.site

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@NavigatingYourPath

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/duanenewton/

Coaching Website: www.dwnconsult.com 

Host Duane Newton continues his story of feeling miserable and out of his element as a lab director and explains his “Five Steps to Becoming Your Authentic Self.” Through self-reflection, assistance from his wayfinders, and a lot of intentional work, he identified the steps that have been critical for him as he has identified and navigated his authentic path:  (1) get out of your head and into your heart, (2) connect with trusted people, (3) trust your intuition, (4) take risks to grow, and (5) enjoy the journey through ongoing alignment and regular realignment.

00:00 Welcome Back: Part 2 & the Five Steps to Authenticity

01:06 Step 1 — Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Heart (Recognizing Misalignment)

03:22 Step 2 — Connect With Trusted People (Wayfinders, Therapy & Coaching)

08:43 Step 3 — Trust Your Intuition (Your Body’s Signals Know the Way)

12:07 Step 4 — Take Risks (Growth Starts Outside the Comfort Zone)

13:45 Risk Story: Learning Triathlon & the Power of Small Wins

19:44 Step 5 — Enjoy the Journey (Alignment Over Outcomes)

22:11 Final Takeaways, Leadership Impact & How to Connect

Connect with Duane here:

Email me: [email protected]

Podcast Website: www.navigatingyourpath.site

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@NavigatingYourPath

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/duanenewton/

Coaching Website: www.dwnconsult.com 

In this inaugural episode of 'Navigating Your Path,' host Duane Newton delves into the unaddressed challenges of leadership roles that go beyond clinical and scientific training. Drawing from over 20 years of experience, Duane shares his personal journey of overcoming feelings of misery despite outward success, ultimately discovering his authentic path. This episode highlights the importance of self-awareness, connecting with others, and following your intuition to become a more effective leader. Tune in to explore the 'Five Steps to Becoming Your Authentic Self' and learn strategies to navigate your own leadership journey.

00:00 Welcome to Navigating Your Path

00:14 The Unspoken Challenges of Leadership

02:44 The Importance of Self-Awareness

03:57 My Journey to Authenticity

07:33 The Aha Moment

11:30 Five Steps to Becoming Your Authentic Self

12:48 Conclusion and Next Steps

Connect with Duane here:

Email me: [email protected]

Podcast Website: www.navigatingyourpath.site

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@NavigatingYourPath

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/duanenewton/

Coaching Website: www.dwnconsult.com 

Navigating Your Path is a podcast for clinical laboratory and diagnostics professionals navigating the shift from technical expert to effective leader. Host Duane Newton, a former clinical microbiology lab director turned professional development coach, shares insights and real-world stories from fellow leaders to help you increase your sense of community, build confidence, and strengthen your authentic leadership style. 

Connect with Duane here:

Email me: [email protected]

Podcast Website: www.navigatingyourpath.site

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@NavigatingYourPath

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/duanenewton/

Coaching Website: www.dwnconsult.com 

Navigating Your Path is a podcast for clinical laboratory and diagnostics professionals navigating the shift from technical expert to effective leader. Host Duane Newton, a former clinical microbiology lab director turned professional development coach, shares insights and real-world stories from fellow leaders to help you increase your sense of community, build confidence, and strengthen your authentic leadership style. 

Connect with Duane here:

Email me: [email protected]

Podcast Website: www.navigatingyourpath.site

YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@NavigatingYourPath

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/duanenewton/

Coaching Website: www.dwnconsult.com