At Luminex, we pride ourselves on developing high-quality molecular diagnostic tests, but this year our commitment to these tests—especially respiratory tests—has been more important than ever. We’re lucky to have Ede Brooks McCullough, Americas Marketing Manager, Respiratory, overseeing our rapidly growing assay portfolio in the Americas for everything from influenza to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A Registered Dietitian who joined our team in 2015, she earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and food science from Middle Tennessee State University.
Q: What are your responsibilities at Luminex?
A: I’m responsible for the whole respiratory portfolio in the Americas, including new product launches for any of the respiratory assays that we have. I work with Sales leadership, help with customer presentations, attend tradeshows, and go out in the field with the Sales reps.
Q: As the Respiratory Marketing Manager for the Americas, how has COVID-19 affected your workload?
A: It’s chaotic for sure. I’ve been slammed since March. We launched two SARS-CoV-2 assays in March and April, and we’re working on launching two more tests for this virus—one for the VERIGENE® System, and one for the VERIGENE® II System. We’re also close to launching the new VERIGENE II System, along with a respiratory panel test that will include SARS-CoV-2. It is really an awesome thing to know that our products are helping patients during the COVID-19 crisis.
Q: What did you do before this job?
A: Before coming to Luminex, I worked at Becton Dickinson as a Molecular Sales rep and before that, I was with a company called CCS Medical selling insulin and insulin pumps. Prior to that, I worked at Novartis selling medical nutrition products. I started out as a dietitian on a nutrition support team working in several hospitals. Every job has led to the next.
Q: What drew you to Luminex?
A: I was not looking to leave my last company, but in the interviews with upper management at Luminex, I found that they had a great but realistic vision for the company. I also felt right at home at Luminex. The culture was infectious.
Q: If you could solve any clinical or genetic challenge, what would it be?
A: I would abolish cancer.
Q: If you weren’t a Marketing Manager at Luminex, where would you be?
A: I probably would have stayed with my degree and pursued sports nutrition. I would have liked to work with a team like the Nashville Predators or the Tennessee Titans.
Q: It sounds like you’re really into sports.
A: I am! I’m part of a team every year where some of us go up against each other in fantasy football, and we do March Madness. I actually played soccer in high school and in college, and now I coach an elementary basketball team.
Q: What is something about you that no one at Luminex knows?
A: I played flag football for my sorority as the wide receiver and kicker. In one game, I ran headfirst into another player on the field, and it knocked us both out cold. I had my first concussion!
Q: What is your favorite thing to do in Nashville on the weekend?
A: I love to boat and to swim. We spend a lot of time on water. We have a pontoon boat but we’re about to upgrade to a deck boat. As my kids have gotten older, their idea of “fast” on the inner tube behind the pontoon boat isn’t fast enough anymore.
