The University of Iowa Office of the Vice President for Economic Development announced on March 22 that Michael Pentella, interim director of the State Hygienic Laboratory and a clinical professor of epidemiology in the College of Public Health, has been named as the laboratory’s permanent director.

The appointment is effective June 1.

“Mike brings a wealth of experience to the position,” said John Keller, interim University of Iowa Vice President for Research and Economic Development, in an announcement to staff.

“He was director of the William A. Hinton State Laboratory Institute in Massachusetts, and prior to that was an associate director for the Disease Control Division at SHL, where he was responsible for infectious disease testing and newborn and maternal screening, and was actively involved with bioterrorism preparedness, antimicrobial resistance and pandemic influenza planning.”

Pentella fills the role of director previously held by Christopher Atchison who retired on Jan. 5.

“I am honored to accept the position of director of the State Hygienic Laboratory,” said Pentella to staff members.

“The director represents all facets of SHL. Environmental, infectious disease, newborn screening, emergency preparedness and information technology are equally important. The director communicates the lab’s vision and values, and is the primary representative.”

The career of the new director spans more than 40 years in clinical microbiology and public health laboratory science. His national appointments include the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) Infectious Disease Committee, APHL Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee, and American Society for Microbiology Lab Practices Committee.

Pentella is board certified as a Diplomat in Medical Microbiology through the American Society for Microbiology (D(ABMM)).