Our “Faces of Luminex” blog series profiles the great people who work at Luminex — and it wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of employees like Avery Vaughn, Senior Manager in Human Resources. His skill in recruiting top talent continuously shapes our team and keeps the company in its industry-leading position. Based in Chicago, he’s been with our team since 2015. He earned an MBA with a concentration in human resources management.
Q: What are your responsibilities at Luminex?
A: I am very focused on sourcing candidates to join Luminex. I also work with employee relations issues, career development, and providing managerial support for the human resources team. We use an online education tool for employee career development, which is essential to help people expand their skills and prepare for new roles within the company.
Q: What did you do before this?
A: I was an HR manager of a construction company in Davenport, Iowa.
Q: Was it difficult making the transition to the life sciences field?
A: Having human resources training allows you to drop into any industry, but as you progress you have to really understand the industry to help make strategic business decisions.
Q: What drew you to Luminex?
A: For me, it was the product and the opportunity to work in an area that’s going to change people’s lives. Whatever you do in this industry, there’s a patient that needs our help. The impact that we have on society and families to help with early detection of those diseases is very compelling.
Q: If you could solve any clinical or genetic challenge, what would it be?
A: It would be Gaucher disease. I know someone who has it, and there’s no cure, you just live with it forever. It deteriorates your bones. You’re in constant pain, never really comfortable in yourself. There are treatments, but many patients go without because of the substantial cost.
Q: If you weren’t at Luminex, where would you be?
A: My first career was actually in the military — I retired after 22 years in the Navy. But I also could imagine myself being a psychologist or a counselor to help people deal with life issues or just to cope with life. You have to wear that same hat in HR. Employees have so many different needs; it’s important to be able to understand and relate to them.
Q: What is something about you that no one at Luminex knows?
A: That I enjoy watching golf.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do in Chicago on the weekend?
A: I usually go to Milwaukee! I’m a closet Wisconsinite. I love going for sporting events to catch a Brewers baseball game or a Bucks basketball game.
