McNeese Student Studies the Expiration Status of Immunohematology Reagents 

McNeese State University students majoring in medical laboratory sciences (MLS) study the efficacy of immunohematology reagents, or substances used in blood typing and compatibility testing, related to expiration status. 

“Our research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of blood bank reagents for blood typing,” explained Kadie Reon, a freshman from Hackberry. “Will expired reagents maintain accuracy for blood typing? Can they still be useful in educational or limited clinical settings?” 

The students used expired and non-expired reagents to type blood and found a 52.4% error rate when using the expired reagents. The key finding was that only 7.9% of errors were blood type errors and 44.4% were Rhesus factor errors. 

“I find this research not only fascinating but also very crucial in my line of work,” Reon said. “I am coming up on my sixth year of working at LifeShare Blood Center and am passionate about blood banking and saving lives via blood donation.”  

Reon is currently an instructor with LifeShare, but wanted to further her career by becoming a medical laboratory scientist. She chose McNeese because it offered an MLS program near her home and work. She hopes to spend her career at LifeShare. 

“Through this research, our students gain valuable hands-on experience that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications,” explained Dr. Sonya Hidalgo, assistant professor and program director of MLS. “This project deepens their understanding of immunohematology and emphasizes the critical importance of reagent accuracy in clinical settings, which directly impacts patient care.” 

Hidalgo offered the research project to all MLS students and Reon jumped at the opportunity.  

“The early exposure was not only beneficial for future classes required for my major, but it also allowed me to experience what my future would be and if I was making the right choice of study—I am,” Reon said. 

Reon recommends that students find and join a research study in their area of study, and if none are available, get to work making one. 

“It can seem overwhelming to add research on top of required studies, but the exposure and overall experience are so worth it,” she said. 

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