Meet Our Staff: Distribution and Processing
Caroline Ulrickson
Director of Surgical Services
Having evaluated more than 11,000 corneas on the slit lamp microscope over her eight-year tenure with SightLife, Caroline Ulrickson, CEBT, has probably scrutinized more corneas for transplant than any other individual in eye banking. This total will continue to climb as she puts her sharp eyes to the test daily in leading the 24/7 Distribution and Processing team at SightLife's laboratory in Seattle, WA.
As Director of Surgical Services, Caroline also personally trained each of the four Tissue Processing Technologists and three Distribution Coordinators on her team. Her unparallelled commitment to ensuring that every surgeon obtain the highest quality corneal tissue, along with her organizational skills, uncompromising adherence to standards, technical knowledge, work ethic, and intensity have helped SightLife achieve a 99.9% success rate in filling scheduled requests from surgeons and a 99% on-time delivery rate.
Caroline's contributions to advancement of eye banking include service on the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) Advisory Committee for the Cornea Preservation Time Study. She is just as committed to ensuring the most efficient distribution systems all over the world, having traveled to India to train surgeons attending a Global Medical Advisory Meeting in slit lamp evaluation. The surgeons came away surprised and impressed by the complexity of factors to be addressed and the experience required to perform thorough corneal tissue evaluations. Following the training, Dr. Audrey Rostov, a corneal surgeon in Seattle, WA, gave this assessment: "It was both exciting and humbling to see corneal surgeons, including myself, learning from Caroline. She just adds value in everything she does."
Caroline came equipped with laboratory skills acquired as an undergraduate researcher at Bakken Research Laboratory when she joined SightLife in 2004 as an Eye Recovery Technician. She gained further experience as an Eye Bank Coordinator before joining the Distribution Department as a coordinator in 2005. She was promoted to Distribution Manager in 2007 and then again to Director of Surgical Services in 2011.
Caroline graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology.
Chris Lanier
Lead Distribution Coordinator
Chris Lanier spent his childhood in San Diego, California, but moved to Spokane, Washington, during high school. He earned a degree in Communications/Advertising at Gonzaga University. Before joining SightLife, Chris worked in the field of insurance/real estate appraisals.
Chris is a big sports fan. He enjoys golfing, playing soccer and basketball, and cheering for Gonzaga's basketball team. When he gets the chance, he likes to swing over to Spokane to spend time with the rest of his family.
Mimi Chau
Distribution Coordinator
Mimi Chau, a resident of Kirkland, graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Biology and Sociology.
Mimi enjoys spending time with friends and family and playing the zither.
Stefanie Purdy
Lead Tissue Processing Technologist
Stefanie Purdy is originally from Poulsbo, Washington. She graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Biological Psychology. Before joining the SightLife staff, Stefanie worked at MDS Pharma Services in Bothell, Washington.
When she isn't working, Stefanie enjoys spending time outside, hiking, running, and playing badminton. In the less active end of things, she also likes gerbils and/or squirrels, sunshine, baked goods, 80's music, anatomy, and anything having to do with Harry Potter.
Adam Fox
Tissue Processing Technologist
Adam Fox grew up in Gaylord, Michigan, and earned his degree in Biomedical Engineering at Michigan Technological University.
Adam's hobbies include guitar, music, snowboard, and spending time outdoors.
Anna Choi
Tissue Processing Technologist
Anna Choi grew up just south of Seattle in Kent. She holds a degree in Biology from the University of Washington and has work experience with the Eyecare Center of Bellevue.
Anna likes to hike, read, swim, do arts and crafts, and attend car shows with her boyfriend.
Alec Selby
Tissue Processing Technologist
Alec Selby is a Seattle native and holds a degree in Physiology & Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Washington. Prior to joining SightLife, he worked at the Rosenfeld Laboratory at UW Medicine.
Alec likes to spend his free time outdoors skiing, rock climbing, backpacking, and playing tennis or basketball. Careful about fouling him, though — Alec once made 55 free throws in a row!
Kelly Guevara
Distribution Technician
Kelly Guevara grew up in Kent, Washington, and graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Zoology. Prior to joining SightLife, she worked at a local animal sanctuary.
When she has free time, Kelly likes to read and spend time outdoors.
