Jennifer Collins

Jennifer Collins started in the apheresis field as an operator and quality manager in 2003 at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. Jennifer’s primary interest is pediatric therapeutic apheresis and challenging donor apheresis including low-weight peripheral blood stem cell donors and autologous donors with thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Her other interests include quality management and apheresis education. Some of Jennifer’s past ASFA presentations include: Unique HPC Collection Issues in Patients with Hemoglobinopathies, A Case Review: Collection of Hematopoietic Cells from a Baby under 10kg, and Special Session: Vascular Access – Tips & Tricks. Jennifer has worked for Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies as a clinical specialist/trainer for the Spectra Optia® Apheresis System, has volunteered as a FACT inspector and chaired the Allied Health Committee. Currently, Jennifer is an Apheresis and Infusion Specialist at Vertex Pharmaceuticals overseeing cell collection and infusion for clinical trials and commercial programs for subjects with hemoglobinopathies. She has interest and a focus in optimizing apheresis for subjects with Sickle Cell Disease. She leads a working group reviewing and analyzing impacts on apheresis and mobilization contributing to the overall success of novel cell and gene therapies. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys finding last-minute deals for traveling the world with her fiancé.