Claudia Ibarra

LIFE SCIENCES: Threefold Lab Capacity Accommodates Melanoma Test Demand

Claudia Ibarra as company COO has helped lead DermTech through a remarkable period of growth despite the challenges of worldwide pandemic. With more than 25 years of experience in clinical laboratory operations in the areas of oncology, immunology, and molecular biology, it was a task for which she was well suited.

Ibarra was named by the San Diego Business Journal as 2022 Business Woman of the Year for public companies with 50 to 249 employees.

Increased Capacity

Since Ibarra joined DermTech in 2019, she has increased lab capacity more than threefold and is credited with significantly contributing to the company's status as a precision dermatology leader.

DermTech's increased lab capacity allowed the company to accommodate demand for its melanoma test, a revolutionary way to detect the disease.

The test uses non-invasive stickers to lift cells from the surface of the skin, which are then tested at DermTech's lab for the presence of genomic markers associated with melanoma.

She also started the DA mutation analysis of the TERT promoter, available as part of the DermTech Melanoma Test, increasing the sensitivity from 91% to 97%.

In one year alone, between 2020 and 2021, Ibarra increased her operations team from fewer than 10 members to more than 35.

Fostering Collaboration

According to those who know her, Ibarra makes it a priority to foster a collaborative and supportive environment for her team.

They said that Ibarra thrives at building high performance teams by mentoring and empowering others to advance their careers and go after leadership positions.

Always looking ahead, Ibarra is planning for an even broader lab expansion as Derm Tech plans to open a new, 20,000 square-foot lab later this year.

International Experince

Born and raised in Argentina, Ibarra started her career as a biochemist in the clinical laboratory industry, specializing in immunology, endocrinology, and solid tumors.

She moved to the U.S. 21 years ago and had to restart her career, starting as a technician. She earned a degree in biochemistry with specialization in clinical laboratory science from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina and holds a California license as a clinical laboratory scientist.

Before joining DermTech, Ibarra was senior vice president of laboratory operations at Exagen and director of the molecular oncology laboratory at Genoptix, Inc. She also was the coordinator of the Molecular Genetic Training Program at Genoptix.

While at Genoptix, Ibarra led a team where she built a molecular laboratory.

Among her more notable accomplishments at Genoptix was the validation and transfer of more than 17 molecular assays in three years.

Commitment To Community

In her community work, Ibarra served on the advisory board of the Miramar Medical Lab Technician Program.

With Ibarra's help, DermTech initiated its second annual #Stickit2Melanoma campaign in honor of Melanoma Awareness Month.

The campaign supports DermTech's mission to help end melanoma deaths through reliable detection. For every “Stickit2Melanoma” pledge to schedule a skin exam, DermTech makes a $5 donation to nonprofit organizations focused on skin health.

As part of the initiative, DermTech supports the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation, created to honor a Vista firefighter who died from the disease. The foundation raises awareness of the disease within fire departments and helps provide routine skin checks to firefighters.