Histotechnology · Electron microscopy · Laboratory consulting

Specialized laboratory knowledge.
Ready to pass it on.

Letia S. Dean helps technicians build practical skills and laboratory leaders prepare for what comes next. Her approach draws on more than five decades at the bench—including nearly 30 years founding and leading Bio-Tek Research Consultants.

Discuss your laboratoryExplore services
Scientist working carefully at a laboratory microscope
ASCP-certified HistotechnicianHistology, electron microscopy & laboratory leadership
50+ yearshands-on laboratory experience
TEM + SEMspecialized electron microscopy
CAP readinessdocumentation, workflow and team preparation
Bio-Tek · 1984–2013Founder, president & laboratory manager

Practical laboratory support

Experience transferred into stronger systems and steadier hands.

Engagements are shaped around the laboratory’s actual needs—from focused preparation to hands-on technical instruction.

01

CAP Readiness

Practical review of workflows, SOPs, quality-control habits, documentation, training records, and inspection preparation.

02

Technical Training

Patient, hands-on training in agreed laboratory methods, workflow, specimen preparation, embedding, sectioning, staining, quality habits, and troubleshooting.

03

Laboratory Startup & Reopening

Practical help planning or reopening histology and electron microscopy services: equipment selection, supplies, vendor coordination, SOPs, QC records, staffing and technical training.

04

Special Research Projects

Experienced technical consultation for unusual specimens, difficult preparations, research workflow design, synthetic materials, and projects that fall outside routine laboratory practice.

Technical training

From specimen preparation to the final image.

Training can focus on a specific technique or the steps connecting a complete workflow. Topics and instruction are scoped around your technicians’ experience, specimens, equipment and laboratory procedures.

Renal electron microscopy
Transmission & scanning EM
Histology & special stains
Immunohistochemistry & IF
Plastic & resin embedding
Ultramicrotomy
Muscle enzyme histochemistry
Semi-thin & ultrathin sectioning
Perfusion procedures
Necropsy procedures
Synthetic materials
Glycol methacrylate, Epon & Spurr
Plant material
Wide range of tissue types
SOPs, QC & competency
Laboratory startup & reopening
Two laboratory professionals working together at a microscope
Knowledge shared at the benchFocused instruction for careful, confident laboratory work.
Prepared microscope slides organized in a laboratory slide box
Care in every preparationMethodical specimen handling, preparation and quality practices.

Illustrative stock photography · Mikhail Nilov and RDNE Stock project / Pexels. Images do not depict Letia Dean or Bio-Tek facilities.

Built at Bio-Tek Research Consultants

Experience running the laboratory.
Experience doing the work.

From 1984 to 2013, Letia founded and led Bio-Tek Research Consultants in Research Triangle Park / Durham, North Carolina—a specialized contract histology and electron microscopy laboratory.

She managed equipment, budgets, vendors, clients and quality systems while remaining personally active at the bench. That combination informs her consulting today: practical methods, clear documentation and training grounded in the work technicians actually perform.

Nearly 30 years of laboratory leadership

  • Supervised eight technicians on average, and up to twelve.
  • Developed SOPs, training protocols, tracking systems and quality-assurance reports.
  • Established paraffin, frozen and plastic/resin workflows, specialized staining, TEM and imaging capabilities.
  • Supported human, animal, plant, aquatic, stem-cell and synthetic-material studies.

Recent experience · September 2023–July 2026

Helping an EM laboratory return to service.

At the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Letia led the reopening of the electron microscopy laboratory and its preparation for successful CAP accreditation during an extended traveler assignment.

Procedures and quality systems

Developed and validated SOPs and protocols, established maintenance and QC logbooks, and conducted a mock inspection.

Equipment and continuity

Coordinated equipment, reagents and maintenance contracts; performed renal EM workflows; instructed students and residents and trained the incoming lead technician.

Consulting supports your laboratory’s preparation and staff development. Accreditation and certification decisions remain with the relevant accrediting or certifying organization.

Professional recognition

“Your dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment made an extraordinary impact in reopening the EM laboratory.”
— Allison Wrenn, UMMC manager · From a handwritten note of appreciation

Let’s make the work stronger.

Tell Letia about your laboratory, the techniques your team needs to learn, or the service you are preparing to launch. Include your goals and timeline; please leave patient information and confidential specimen details out of your initial email.

Email LetiaCall 919-361-2128