New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe) made a strong showing at the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting in San Diego, held October 25–28. With dozens of scientific posters, oral presentations, and education sessions led by our experts, NYBCe once again demonstrated its leadership in transfusion medicine, immunohematology, and blood-center innovation.
This year’s abstracts showcased wide-ranging research into RHCE and RHD variant alleles, complex serologic investigations, rare blood phenotypes, donor genotyping, and improvements in testing methodologies. Several NYBCe researchers were selected for prominent oral presentations — a testament to the quality and relevance of their work.
Among the featured presenters:
- June Fuertes, MS, MLS(ASCP), Molecular Technologist, Laboratory of Immunohematology & Genomics (NYBC), delivered two oral presentations, including “Three Unique RHCE Variants Causing Negative Phenotypes” and “New ABO Variants Causing Altered Expression of ABO Antigens.”
- Gina Folk, MSHS, MLS(ASCP)SBB, Immunohematology Reference Laboratory Supervisor, Community Blood Center–Kansas City, presented an oral abstract detailing RH haplotype discoveries prompted by antibodies to high-incidence antigens.
- Chloe Homich, MLS(ASCP)SBB, Reference Laboratory Supervisor, Blood Bank of Delmarva, presented NYBCe’s identification of a novel JK*A(160T) allele in a pediatric anti-Jka case.
- Randall W. Velliquette, SBB(ASCP), Laboratory of Immunohematology & Genomics (NYBC), contributed to an AABB education session on crossmatch-incompatible transfusions and the critical role of collaboration with reference laboratories.
- Lynsi Rahorst, MHPE, MLS(ASCP)SBB, Program Chair, Education, co-led the session “Choose Your Own Adventure: Serology, Molecular, and Incompatibility Case Reviews.”
- Sunitha Vege, MS, Laboratory of Immunohematology & Genomics (NYBC), participated as a speaker in the “Choose Your Own Adventure” session.
- Christine Lomas-Francis, MSc, FIBMS, Scientist Emeritus, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, presented in the education session on “Unexplained Reactivity in Red Cell Antibody Identification.”
Poster presentations across the meeting featured many additional NYBCe authors, covering topics such as LAN and LAnu alleles, ABO gene sequencing, RHD weak/variable expression, anti-D reagent reactivity, and donor-recipient matching strategies. These contributions reflect collaboration across NYBC, CBC-KC, BBD, and our research and reference laboratories.
NYBCe extends its congratulations to all presenters, co-authors, and teams whose work was highlighted at AABB 2025. Your expertise and dedication continue to elevate our organization’s standing as a national leader in transfusion science and patient-care innovation.
