London, England, United Kingdom
I am currently finalising my PhD thesis in regenerative medicine and immunology at UCL’s Institute of Ophthalmology. During my project I developed and characterised a patient stem cell-derived (iPSC) in vitro model to investigate innate immune dysfunction in a neurodegenerative disease where current therapeutic solutions are scarce. My research focussed on how disease background altered the immune phenotype of iPSC-derived monocytes, while developing a patient-focussed model for modelling dysregulated monocyte function.
Investigated phenotype and function of an innate immune cell disease model (induced pluripotent stem cell-derived monocytes) in the context of an age-related macular degeneration (AMD) disease background. During my project I developed and characterised a patient stem cell-derived (iPSC) in vitro model to investigate innate immune dysfunction in a neurodegenerative disease where current therapeutic solutions are scarce. My research focussed on how disease background altered the immune phenotype of iPSC-derived monocytes, while developing a patient-focussed model for modelling dysregulated monocyte function.
• Provide consultancy for client experimental approach. • Involved in the transfection of bacteria into mosquito populations for a project designed to wipe-out Dengue fever. • Successfully fulfilled non-routine requests through development of new protocols developed in response to current inefficient/ineffective protocols and communicated to team members to increase overall productivity and achieve customer satisfaction. • Manipulation of chemical treatment methods of infrequently used or more delicate organisms. • Responsible for of COVID-19 impact and smooth running of the Facility. Solely responsible for managing organism populations, consumables stock levels, organisation of DNA sample pickup and filing/storage during this time. • Communicate clearly with clients the impact of COVID-19 on our productivity and any changes that affected them as well as injection requests and experimental design consultation to achieve objectives. • Fulfilled client requests for 300+ research projects. • Optimised critical workflow step of embryo collection through agar plate optimisation by alteration of agar percentage and colour. • Saved an estimated 60 hours of total workflow time using this step through more efficient embryo generation and collection. • During COVID restrictions and the subsequent limited capacity of the ability of the Fly Facility to operate I was able to "single-handedly [run] the injection service. [Addressing the] many challenges and [producing] very high rate of successful transformations".
• Communicate with internal, domestic and international clients, explaining and detailing possibilities and parameters of feasible experimental design, order process, requirements for successful work outcome and order completion time-frame. • Consistently work towards KPI relative to client demand. Requires maintenance of equipment and consumables but also work organisation and prior planning. • Process client requests and samples clearly in a standardised system for further processing. Information includes date of arrival and sent date (communicated to client), name and contact, purchase order, injection plan. • Working with Memmert incubator system software for design of heating and day/night cycle to develop a programme to optimise critical embryo production by mimicry of natural habitat. • Optimised workbench layout for tools for embryo collection, mounting, and injection using 5S methodology by correctly and clearly labelling equipment and adjustment controls to aid training and improve familiarity. • Improved and maintained MS Excel Spreadsheet detailing and tracking client requests to effectively manage and track client requests and address any outliers or escalations. • Accountable for completion of client requests, client satisfaction, maintaining up-to-date data table of requests, injection process efficiency and make sure that colleagues and I are able to access data and information for efficient running of the Facility. • Systems improvement by installation of high-pressure silent-motor pump with pressure-gauge injection interface for improved injection pressure consistency; saving money and time spent on materials and working hours. • Reduced risk of having to repeat failed requests due to improved experimental outcome success, improved ergonomic work environment (reducing risk of RSI), and eliminates manual syringe injection and its associated short-comings.