Dynamic leader and laboratory technology professional with extensive and diverse experience and a friendly and positive attitude. Experienced as Head of Nucleic acid Extraction and Sequencing Technologies (NEST) and Head of R&D at the Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS) with a proven track record in senior leadership roles, strategic planning and operations management, stakeholder and client engagement, and developing and leading high-performing teams.
Passionate and skilled in a range of business administration matters, such as pricing, budget planning, budget control, and reporting. A critical thinker and problem solver dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment that drives continual improvement and employee engagement.
Proven success in leading complex and multi-disciplinary/center projects from start to finish and contributing to organizational growth and success.
Striving to enhance systems and align technical solutions with business objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational and strategic goals. Known for dedication and commitment to excellence.
Years in laboratory management roles
Years of project management experience
Years in senior management roles
Publications
• Management of local, national, and international collaborations, incl sample and data sharing, publications, etc.
• Planned, designed, modified and executed research techniques, procedures and tests, incl. a targeted NGS assay for disease diagnosis and functional tests to identify disease-causing variants and genes.
• Presented research findings at conferences and workshops, fostering professional growth and collaboration within the academic community.
• Implemented robust data management strategies, safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining compliance with ethical guidelines.
• Implemented a 2D-barcoded system for a more efficient and safe method of patient sample storage and retrieval.
• Contributed to the development of research proposals, securing funding for critical projects.
• Mentored undergraduate and graduate students, and visiting scientists providing guidance on research methodologies and techniques.
• Participated actively in regular meetings with fellow researchers to discuss project updates, challenges faced, and lessons learned during ongoing activities.
• Organized research materials, maintaining a well-ordered workspace conducive to productivity.
• Design, planning, and execution of functional assays to investigate the importance of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in disease etiology.
• Enhanced research accuracy by diligently collecting and analyzing data from various sources.
• Performance of DNA extraction, DNA quality checks (QCs), molecular tests, tissue and cell culture experiments (incl. on virus infected cell lines), etc.
• Expanded knowledge base through active participation in conferences, workshops, and seminars relevant to the field of study.
• Assisted in the completion of research projects, conducting literature reviews and gathering relevant information.
• Developed strong analytical skills by utilizing statistical software to analyze large datasets for meaningful insights.
• Organized research materials, maintaining a well-ordered workspace conducive to productivity.
• Adhered to laboratory safety procedures to maintain compliance with quality control standards.
• Implemented rigorous quality control measures, elevating standard of research outputs.
• Managed research databases with utmost diligence, ensuring data integrity and security.
• Streamlined data organization by developing efficient spreadsheets and databases for easy access and analysis.
• Increased lab efficiency with implementation of streamlined sample processing protocol
•. Establishment of new tests for the detection of steroids in blood plasma using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISAs)
•. Management of mouse lines and processes to obtain samples for testing (incl. occular vein blood draws, etc.)
• Developed strong problem-solving skills through troubleshooting experimental challenges as they arose during the research process.
• Managed project deadlines effectively by prioritizing tasks according to urgency and importance.
AI on several Australian government grants (Genomic Newborn Screening, Development of long-read sequencing for clinical use, etc.)
References can be provided upon request.
International conferences and speaking engagements
1. Industry session speaker: “Exomes at VCGS: A look under the hood” Human Genetics Society Australasia 2019, Wellington, New Zealand (Aug 2019)
2. Speaker: “A novel gene causative for Disorders of Sex Development and Intellectual Disability” Combined 10th Australasian Mutation Detection Meeting & 4th Molecular Genetics Society of Australasia Meeting, Daydream Island, Australia (Sept 2014)
3. Speaker: “Analysis of Disorders of Sex Development using Massively Parallel Sequencing” National Institute of Medical Research, London, UK (May 2013)
4. Speaker: “A novel mutation in NR5A1 revealed by Whole Exome Sequencing of a family with two DSD phenotypes” Combined 9th Australasian Mutation Detection Meeting & 4th Molecular Genetics Society of Australasia Meeting, Port Douglas, Australia (Sept 2012)
5. Speaker: “A novel mutation in NR5A1 revealed by Whole Exome Sequencing of a family with two DSD phenotypes” 6th International Symposium on the Biology of Vertebrate Sex Determination, Kona (Hawaii), USA (April 2012)
6. Speaker: “Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in Disorders of Sex Development (DSD)” Medical University of Vienna, Dept. of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Vienna, Austria (Jan 2012)
7. Speaker: “Human disorders of sex development: Analysis of gene regulation and pathogenic mutations” Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (May 2011)
8. Speaker: “ Human disorders of sex development: Analysis of gene regulation and pathogenic mutations” Helmholtz Centre Munich (HMGU), Munich, Germany (May 2011)
9. Speaker: “PhD project presentation” Helmholtz Centre (HMGU) Munich, Munich, Germany (Nov 2010)
10. Speaker: “Alpha testing of a new Whole Genome Amplification (WGA) product from Qiagen - Sample quality and its consequences for the amplification and genontyping” National Genome Research Network meeting, Berlin, Germany (Dec 2009)
National conferences and seminars
1. Speaker: “A novel gene causative for Disorders of Sex Development and Intellectual Disability” 4th Australian Sex Summit, Melbourne, Australia (Nov 2014)
2. Speaker: “Genetics of Disorders of Sex Development” Paediatric Urology Club Training Course, Royal Australian College of Surgeons, Melbourne, Australia (March 2014)
3. Speaker: “Human Disorders of Sex Development: Analysis of gene regulation and pathogenic mutations Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (Sept 2012)
4. Speaker: “A novel mutation in NR5A1 revealed by Whole Exome Sequencing of a family with two DSD phenotypes” Melbourne Next Generation Sequencing – Special Interest Group Meeting at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia (May 2012)
5. Speaker: “Whole genome analysis of patients with Disorders of Sex Development” 3rd Australian Sex Summit, Melbourne, Australia (Nov 2011)
6. Speaker: “ Human disorders of sex development: Analysis of gene regulation and pathogenic mutations” Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (July 2011)
Local Seminars
1. Speaker: "Oxford NanoPore Long-read Sequencing of Whole Genomes" MCRI Functional Genomics Seminar Series, Melbourne, Australia (Jul 2024)
2. Speaker: “Using Next Generation Sequencing for genetic and epigenetic analyses of hypospadias patients” RCH Department for Urology Research Meeting, Melbourne, Australia (Nov 2014)
3. Speaker: “HaloPlex targeted MPS screen for Diagnosis and Gene Discovery in patients with Disorders of Sex Development” MCRI Functional Genomics Seminar Series, Melbourne, Australia (April 2014)
4. Speaker: “Analysis of Disorders of Sex Development using Massively Parallel Sequencing” NHMRC program meeting, Melbourne, Australia (July 2013)
5. Speaker: “A novel mutation in NR5A1 revealed by Whole Exome Sequencing of a family with two DSD phenotypes” Ian Potter Centre for Genomics and Personalised Medicine Seminar Series at MCRI, Melbourne, Australia (June 2013)
6. Speaker: “Human Disorders of Sex Development: Analysis of gene regulation and pathogenic mutations” MCRI Director’s Forum at MCRI, Melbourne, Australia (Feb 2013)
7. Speaker: “A novel mutation in NR5A1 revealed by Whole Exome Sequencing of a family with two DSD phenotypes” Molecular Medicine Seminar Series at MCRI (PhD completion seminar), Melbourne, Australia (Nov 2012)
8. Speaker: “A novel mutation in NR5A1 revealed by Whole Exome Sequencing of a family with two DSD phenotypes” NHMRC program meeting, Melbourne, Australia (Nov 2012)
9. Speaker: “Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) ” PhD advisory committee meeting at MCRI, Melbourne, Australia (Oct 2012)
10. Speaker: “Whole genome analysis of patients with Disorders of Sex Development” NHMRC program meeting, Melbourne, Australia (Mar 2012)
11. Speaker: “Human disorders of sex development: Analysis of gene regulation and pathogenic mutations” Annual PhD progress meeting at MCRI, Melbourne, Australia (Feb 2012)
12. Speaker: “Human disorders of sex development: Analysis of gene regulation and pathogenic mutations” NHMRC program meeting, Glen Erin, Australia (Nov 2010)
13. Speaker: “Human disorders of sex development: Analysis of gene regulation and pathogenic mutations” PhD confirmation meeting at MCRI, Melbourne, Australia (Mar 2011)
Posters
1. Poster: “Mutation detection in patients with disorders of sex development (DSD) – past, present and future” Mutation detection conference, Santorini, Greece (2011)
2. Poster: “A common FADS2 promoter polymorphism increases promoter activity and facilitates binding of transcription factor ELK1” Lipid meeting, Leipzig, Germany (2009)
Animal health and welfare
Pet rescue
Dog training
Drawing and painting
Photography