Tammy Reid receives The RNA Institute’s Exceptional Service Award

The RNA Institute is proud to recognize Tammy Reid for her ongoing efforts in leading and managing our COVID testing lab with an “Exceptional Service Award.”

With over 250,000 saliva samples tested since the launch of the COVID Surveillance Testing site at the RNA Institute in 2020, this program has played a critical role in protecting UAlbany and other capital region communities. In addition to her role as the Institute’s Research and Development manager, Tammy has spearheaded efforts in the COVID lab from creating the testing workflow, recruiting, and training staffs, arranging supply chain logistics, managing the daily operation of the testing lab, and so much more.

“Tammy’s efforts to spearhead the testing program has been instrumental in our success during COVID, allowing many of us to focus on research.  Day and night, her commitment to managing the testing team and ensuring the quality of our results has made a real difference to the community. We simply could not have done it without her, and we own her an incredible debt of gratitude that no award can truly match.” said Professor Andy Berglund, Director of the RNA Institute

“Since the summer of 2020, Tammy has focused on training the COVID laboratory team and running the daily operations of the COVID-19 surveillance testing. Due to her hard work, leadership, and tireless effort we have a state of art program that keeps UAlbany and the surrounding community safe.” said Dr. Carol H. Kim, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs of UAlbany.

Tammy’s dynamic efforts in leading the testing lab and her managerial skills made it possible to extend the Institute’s service beyond UAlbany into collaborating with other’s institutions in the broader capital region. “We would wait anxiously for Tammy’s afternoon or evening emails with our Covid surveillance results and those weekly reports for months during the pandemic were key to successfully keeping our SEFCU community safe.” said SEFCU Chief Administrative Officer Barbara Hess.

Tammy’s leadership, management and daily efforts have made this program a success and has helped shape the RNA Institute’s success during difficult times. Congratulations, Tammy!