Christina Theodoropoulos
Grange,Australia
Summary
Experienced Facility Manager with expertise in Research Infrastructure management, stakeholder engagement, and adherence to research ethics. Proven leader focused on operational efficiency and team collaboration. Specializes in safety compliance, space optimization, leadership, problem-solving, and communication to ensure smooth operations and effective team collaboration.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Cell Analysis Facility Manager
QUT Central Analytical Research Facility
Kelvin Grove, Australia
02.2017 - Current
- Work collaboratively with scientists to assist them in achieving their research goals
- Core Facility Management including efficiency, accessibility, outstanding service and development of standard operating procedures
- Perform instrument maintenance and repairs or initiate repairs through vendors
- Budgeting, billing, and review/approval of service charges
- Instrument management
- Development of future best practices
- Identified significant scientific trends and/or new issues of strategic importance and communicated these to Leadership as appropriate
- Oral presentations to internal and external audiences
- Secured more than $800K in funding through internal funding grants for the procurement of new equipment to IHBI
- Development of equipment routine maintenance plans which has reduced the number of service call outs and instrument downtime
- Promoted the Cell Analysis Facility to the QUT research community and has increased usage on equipment
- Booking frequency increased for all instrumentation (Leica AF6000LX bookings increased from 1 to 6 bookings per month)
Laboratory and Building Services Manager
QUT Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation
Kelvin Grove, Australia
11.2018 - 05.2019
- Provided leadership in the provision of laboratory and technical services to the Institute’s professional and academic staff
- Supervised professional laboratory and building services staff including managing workloads, undertaking performance planning and review, feedback, and provide guidance in training and development
- Monitor revenue and expenditure for laboratory services to ensure research goals are met
- Manage the day-to-day activities of large multi-user research laboratories supporting interdisciplinary research projects spanning IHBI Themes
Senior Technician - Regenerative Medicine
QUT Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation
Kelvin Grove, Australia
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Provision of high level technical and scientific advice in the area of electron and optical microscopy to researchers (both Postdoctoral and HDR) belonging to the Regenerative Medicine Research group
- Responsible for the development, implementation, and training of Standard Protocols in communal cell culture facilities and general wet lab facilities, including histology.
- Implemented and monitored through audits Workplace Health and Safety, OGTR and Quarantine requirements and practices including laboratory induction, training records, material safety data sheets, standard operating procedures and risk assessments
- Manage the daily laboratory activities of a large research group (~ 50 researchers) including ordering reagents and consumables, database management
- Supervised professional laboratory staff including managing workloads, and guidance in training and development
- Monitor expenditure for research projects
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
QUT Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation
Kelvin Grove, Australia
01.2015 - 12.2015
- In this role I was responsible for the preparation of a NHMRC grant led by Professor Mia Woodruff, and of my own fellowships and ethics applications
- My main research duties included design/optimisation of experiments, performing research, analysis of results, integration of input from collaborators and creating scientific outputs (manuscripts/conference presentations)
- My management/administrative duties included supervision and training of students and research staff; OH&S compliance, physical resource management, ethics (animal) and data management
Senior Laboratory Technician
Analytical Electron Microscopy Facility QUT
Brisbane, Australia
07.2002 - 06.2011
- Duties include provision of high level technical and scientific advice to QUT students and staff, as well as external consultancy clients in electron and optical microscopy
- Supervision and training of users (including QUT students and staff, as well as external consultancy clients) in the correct use/operation of specialized electron and optical microscopy equipment including TEM, SEM, confocal microscopes, and other ancillary microscopes and preparation instruments
- Performance of laboratory maintenance; including preparing reagents, ordering laboratory consumables, monitoring inventories of laboratory chemicals and consumables, cleaning, and maintaining work area and laboratory equipment
- Assisting with the routine maintenance and service of microscopes and ancillary equipment, including vacuum pumps, filament and mercury lamp replacement, electron beam alignments and removable apertures
- Responsible for the preparation and function of practical classes and responsible for setting up complex experiments and equipment
- Implementing and monitoring Workplace Health and Safety principles and practices including laboratory induction, training records, material safety data sheets, standard operating procedures and risk assessments
- Managing and performing all darkroom services
- Trouble shooting (procedures/instrumentation)
- Recognizing and diagnosing of faults
- Answering inquiries - QUT staff and students and external clients
- Management of bookings and service requests from QUT students and staff, and external clients
Product Applications Specialist
Leica Microsystems
Brisbane, Australia
01.2008 - 06.2009
- First line technical support for all Microsystems products to Leica customers and staff in Australia and New Zealand
- Trained customers and internal Leica staff including agents and dealers on Leica products
- Led product demonstrations for Regional sales account managers
- Installed new products at customer sites
- Reviewed customer order configurations for customer service and sales team to ensure accuracy
- Consulted customers on good work practices with Leica products
- Managed demo stock, and provided guidance on what products should be kept in demo portfolio
- Contributed to sales and marketing activities that led to products sales
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Pathogenicity of Plesiomonas shigelloides: Interactions with eukaryotic host cells in vitro
Queensland University of Technology
Brisbane, Australia01.2003
Bachelor of Applied Science. (Hons) - Plesiomonas shigelloides pathogenesis: Interactions with eukaryotic host cells in vitro
Queensland University of Technology
Brisbane, Australia01.1998
Bachelor of Applied Science - Biotechnology, Microbiology, Physiology, Immunology
Queensland University of Technology
Brisbane, Australia01.1997
Skills
- Client-Centric Operations Management
- Training Program Implementation
- Imaging Technology Specialist
- Sample preparation for Light and Electron Microscopy
- Communication and stakeholder engagement
- Project Management
- Team Leadership
- Efficiency Improvement Methods
- Operational efficiency and safety
- Budget planning and development
- Equipment installations and maintenance expertise
- Facility management principles
- Service contracts management
- Planning and scheduling
- Employee Hiring
- Technical team management
- Technical knowledge
- Budget Administration
- Space Utilization
- Building Maintenance
- Presentation
- Service planning and scheduling
References
Referees can be supplied upon request
Community Service
- President, Wilston State School Amateur Swim Club
- Committee Secretary, Wilston State School Amateur Swim Club
- Display presenter; National Science Week at the EKKA (2006)
- Mentor to a gifted and talented primary school student (2006)
- Judged primary school science fair projects (2004, 2006; Marshall Rd State School)
- QUT Smart Train (2005); travelled throughout QLD to rural and outlying areas providing primary school and high school students, and the general public with hands on scientific activities
- Spoke to primary school students about science and research in conjunction with QUT ScienceVan (2003)
- Assisted in demonstrations and workshop activities in microscopy usage and sample preparation, as part of continuing education programs for school teachers (2002-2009)
- Assisted in primary and high school visits to QUT – Faculty of Science; providing an overview of various microscopy techniques and science (2002-2009)
Timeline
Laboratory and Building Services Manager
QUT Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation
11.2018 - 05.2019
Cell Analysis Facility Manager
QUT Central Analytical Research Facility
02.2017 - Current
Senior Technician - Regenerative Medicine
QUT Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation
01.2016 - 01.2017
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
QUT Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation
01.2015 - 12.2015
Product Applications Specialist
Leica Microsystems
01.2008 - 06.2009
Senior Laboratory Technician
Analytical Electron Microscopy Facility QUT
07.2002 - 06.2011
Doctor of Philosophy - Pathogenicity of Plesiomonas shigelloides: Interactions with eukaryotic host cells in vitro
Queensland University of Technology
Bachelor of Applied Science. (Hons) - Plesiomonas shigelloides pathogenesis: Interactions with eukaryotic host cells in vitro
Queensland University of Technology
Bachelor of Applied Science - Biotechnology, Microbiology, Physiology, Immunology
Queensland University of Technology
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