Why Reference Medicine is Unlike Any Other Company I’ve Worked With: A Perspective from Industry Veteran Annette Arnold

By Annette Arnold, Head of Market Expansion, Reference Medicine

After more than a decade in the biospecimen industry, I’ve had the privilege of working in various roles across the field—learning its intricacies, its frustrations, and most importantly, its potential to accelerate life-saving research. This summer, I made a major career move by joining Reference Medicine, and just over a month in, I can confidently say: I’ve never worked for a company quite like this one.

The Evolving World of Biospecimen Research

I’ve seen the biospecimen field evolve rapidly over the last 10 years. When I first entered the industry, I didn’t even know companies focused on biospecimen collection existed—it was a whole new world I had to learn from the ground up. Since then, challenges have multiplied: from locating reliable, well-characterized samples to meeting the growing demand for enriched data and fast fulfillment.

There’s been a clear shift in priorities. Researchers aren’t just looking for biospecimens—they’re looking for ethically sourced, high-quality samples that are accompanied by reliable clinical data from a team they can trust. Additionally, many are turning toward AI-driven or data-centric models that require even more precision and transparency.

One persistent challenge across the industry has been redundancy. In many cases, the same sample could appear through multiple vendors—creating confusion, wasting budget, and undermining research quality. Navigating that complexity has helped me develop a deep understanding of what clients need most: clarity, reliability, and care.

Finding My Fit at Reference Medicine

My decision to join Reference Medicine wasn’t just about a new job—it was about aligning my work with my core values. What first drew me to the company was simple: the people and their purpose. Everyone is committed to a shared mission—to supporting researchers in finding the right specimens with minimal friction and maximum trust.

Before joining, I had worked with Reference Medicine from the outside and had always been impressed by the quality and consistency of their biospecimens. Since coming aboard, I’ve been blown away by what I’ve seen behind the scenes. This team doesn’t just talk about customer service—they live it. From the care that goes into packaging samples—have you seen our stickers?!—to the urgency with which requests are fulfilled, everything is centered around delivering a truly exceptional experience.

It’s rare to find a company that values both speed and substance—but Reference Medicine manages to do both. I’ve seen clients receive samples within one or two days. When they open those packages, they’re not greeted with the usual industrial box—they’re treated to a presentation that feels intentional and respectful of the research they’re undertaking. One colleague described it as “a FabFitFun box for scientists”—and honestly, I couldn’t agree more.

My Role and Vision

As Head of Market Expansion, my focus is twofold: grow our hospital and pathology network to broaden our offerings and amplify our brand visibility so that more researchers know who we are and what we provide.

Right now, Reference Medicine has a phenomenal inventory of oncology samples—especially plasma and FFPE samples, spanning many different cancer types. We’re also considering expansion into new formats, including serum and cryopreserved tissue. I’m working to bring on trusted biospecimen collection sites that align with our standards and can help us meet rising demand without sacrificing quality or integrity.

I’m equally excited about championing Reference Medicine to the broader scientific community. When you find something this good—a company built on integrity, excellence, and genuine service—you want to shout it from the rooftops. My goal is to make sure every researcher, every lab, every team looking for biospecimen support knows who we are and gets the chance to experience what makes this place so special.

Growing in a Grounded and Authentic Manner

One of the biggest challenges in any fast-growing company is maintaining the essence that makes it special. As we expand, we’re constantly refining our processes, onboarding new collection sites, and adapting to higher volumes of orders and inquiries. Yet, the heart of our work remains the same: delighting our customers.

It’s a word we use often at Reference Medicine—delight—and it’s not just lip service. It shows up in the consistent quality of the specimens, in the way we prioritize urgent requests, how we communicate openly across teams, and the thoughtfulness that goes into even the smallest operational details.

We’re committed to growing the right way. That means keeping our core values intact while building systems that support scale. When challenges arise—as they inevitably will—we’ll meet them with honesty, collaboration, and a “fail forward” mindset.

People Make the Difference

There’s one thing that stands out most about my experience so far: the team at Reference Medicine. I’ve never worked with a more capable, kind, and mission-aligned group of professionals. Every single person here is invested in making the company the best it can be—not just for the sake of growth, but because they genuinely care about their research customers and believe in the impact we’re collectively making.

From our operations leads to our marketing team and our leadership, everyone brings a unique strength to the table. We celebrate each other’s wins, troubleshoot setbacks together, and lift each other up daily. It’s not just a workplace—it’s a community.

Profound Personal Impact

Professionally, I feel re-energized. Personally, the change has been just as profound. Friends and former colleagues have commented on how different I seem—more energized, less stressed, and genuinely excited about my work again. Even my family has noticed the shift. That kind of transformation doesn’t come from a title or a paycheck. It comes from being in a place where you’re supported, valued, and working toward something that matters.

Looking Ahead

The next chapter for Reference Medicine is one of growth and expansion—and I’m thrilled to be part of building it. We have an opportunity to redefine what excellence looks like in biospecimen procurement. We’re not just meeting needs—we’re anticipating them. We’re not just shipping samples—we’re enabling breakthroughs.

If you're a researcher looking for a partner who truly understands what’s at stake, or someone curious about what makes this place so special, let’s talk. This isn’t just a job —it’s where I’m meant to be.