Syeda Ramla Bukhari

Technical Reviewer & Auditor | QA/QC Microbiologist | Food & Consumer Product Safety | FDA/USDA Compliance | ISO 17025 | PCQI & HACCP Certified

Greater Chicago Area

About

Certified PCQI & HACCP | QA/QC Microbiologist | Food Safety & R&D Focused I am a Food Safety & Quality Assurance Microbiologist with a strong foundation in regulatory compliance (ISO 17025, FDA, USDA, GMP, HACCP, PCQI) and hands-on expertise in microbiological testing, pathogen detection, and laboratory quality systems. With a dual master’s background — M.S. Food Safety & Technology (Illinois Institute of Technology, USA) and M.S. Biotechnology (Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan) — I bring both technical knowledge and practical lab experience to ensure product integrity, regulatory alignment, and client satisfaction. At Deibel Laboratories, I conduct QA/QC microbiology testing (E. coli, Listeria, APC, yeast, mold) supporting 100% audit success under ISO 17025, FDA, and USDA frameworks. I have also trained lab technicians in GLP procedures, validated methods to reduce contamination risk, and communicated scientific results to 30+ clients monthly. My earlier work as an R&D Scientist at NIH involved developing optimized antivenom protocols, improving efficacy by 40%, and authoring SOPs aligned with GLP standards. Additionally, I supported an NIH-funded precision nutrition study at IIT Chicago, ensuring compliance, managing participant data, and coordinating study cohorts. 🔹 Core Strengths: • QA/QC Microbiology | Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance • Pathogen Detection (PCR, ELISA, VIDAS, GeneUP) | LIMS Data Systems • HACCP & PCQI Certified | Audit & Client Support • Research & Development | SOP Documentation | Data Integrity I am currently on OPT (EAD Active) and open to relocation across the U.S. for opportunities in QA/QC, Food Safety, Regulatory Compliance, and Microbiology. My goal is to contribute to food safety excellence, regulatory compliance, and product innovation in the food, biotech, and contract testing industries.

Experience

  • Technical Reviewer & Auditor at IFANCA (Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America)
    Feb 2026 - Present · 5 mos

    Technical Reviewer and Auditor | IFANCA • Technical Compliance & Auditing: Conduct comprehensive technical reviews and on-site audits of food and consumer product manufacturing facilities to ensure strict adherence to global Halal standards. • Global Quality Assurance: Perform domestic and international inspections (50-60% travel) to evaluate production processes, raw materials, and supply chain integrity. • Regulatory Oversight: Report directly to the Technical Director to analyze audit findings, verify corrective actions, and maintain the highest level of certification accuracy. • Consumer Advocacy: Support IFANCA’s mission of research and education by ensuring consumer products meet rigorous safety and religious compliance benchmarks.

  • Microbiologist at Deibel Laboratories
    Jan 2025 - Feb 2026 · 1 yr 2 mos

    As a Microbiologist I, I specialize in microbiological testing, ensuring food and environmental safety through precise laboratory analysis and strict quality control. Key Responsibilities: • Perform microbial testing (aerobic plate counts, yeast & mold, coliforms, Salmonella, Listeria detection). • Conduct ELISA & PCR-based rapid assays for pathogen detection. • Execute sample preparation, aseptic plating, streaking, and incubation following GLP. • Analyze test results using Bench Reading and ensure compliance with ISO 17025, FDA, USDA standards. • Prepare and verify microbiological media, ensuring sterility through autoclave operations. • Maintain laboratory cleanliness, biosafety protocols, and environmental monitoring (swab & air sampling). • Ensure proper calibration, maintenance, and validation of lab equipment. • Communicate test results to clients, providing technical support and escalating complex inquiries. • Train associates on SOPs, quality standards, and laboratory best practices.

  • Research Assistant at Clinical Nutrition Research Center
    May 2024 - Jan 2025 · 9 mos

    Recruited participants for NIH’s precision nutrition study, guiding them through protocols, and collecting anthropometric and activity data using advanced tools like continuous glucose monitors and actigraph wristbands. • Maintained high-quality data management in Excel, ensuring research compliance and accuracy. • Enhanced operational quality by conducting rigorous checks on food labels, net weights, and package integrity in a metabolic kitchen setting.

  • Graduate Research Assistant at FDA
    May 2024 - Jul 2024 · 3 mos

    • Conducted critical growth and survival analysis of Salmonella on packaged fresh peaches, contributing to enhanced food safety measures. • Designed and optimized experimental protocols, ensuring accurate and reproducible data collection methods. • Presented research findings to faculty and stakeholders, resulting in actionable insights for packaging improvements and contamination prevention.

  • Research And Development Scientist at National Institute of Health, Islamabad , Pakistan
    Feb 2022 - May 2023 · 1 yr 4 mos

    •Led protocol optimization for antivenom production, significantly improving efficacy and safety in treatments for snakebite envenomation. • Designed and executed advanced experiments addressing public health challenges, increasing the accessibility of life-saving treatments. • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to refine methodologies, contributing to national public health advancements.