Maryanne Kuek

• Participated actively in regular meetings with fellow researchers to discuss project updates, challenges faced, and lessons learned during ongoing activities.
• Monitored project timelines, ensuring timely completion of tasks while maintaining high-quality output.
• Independently designed, planned, and executed experiments based on relevant literature search, as well as handled research administrative tasks.
• Possess Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and engaged in the preparation of new SOPs and conducted risk assessments for new experiments and consumables.

Project involved:

a. Electrochemical Water Disinfection Project

• Evaluated the efficacy of the newly developed water disinfection machine utilizing electrochemical technology in eliminating bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
• Proposed a modification to the machine's piping system, resulting in a detachable configuration to facilitate sterilization using autoclaving techniques, ensuring a clean and sterilised closed system before the commencement of the testing phase.

b. UV Water Disinfection Project

• Conduct end-to-end microbiological testing from water samples collected from the input and output tanks at the industry partner's onsite facilities.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative research methodologies and strategies.

c. Decontamination Practices for Needleless Connectors Project

• Performed various decontamination practices on needleless connectors/catheters using specified disinfectants.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of various decontamination practices through the recovery of applied microorganisms from treated catheters via sonication.

• Collaborated closely with fellow teaching associates to ensure consistent class delivery and uniform information dissemination across various cohorts, following directives from unit convenors.
• Assessed and provided feedback for student work, and co-supervised research students.
• Obtained positive feedback from students in post-semester surveys, achieving an overall satisfaction score of 9 out of 10, demonstrating proficiency in conveying complex information to diverse audiences.

• Participated in the 'Establishment of Gene Editing Methods in Grain Legumes' project
• Contributed to new experimental design by conducting comprehensive literature reviews
• Performed plant tissue culture to establish donor plants for genetic transformation and in-vitro regeneration studies
• Conducted various gene delivery methods, including Agrobacterium-mediated and biolistic-mediated transformation for the selected model crops.
• Conducted CRISPR gene editing using ribonucleoprotein (RNP) through biolistic transformation
• Gained valuable experience working within a specific industry, applying learned concepts directly into relevant work situations.

• Tracked collected specimens by dating, and noting times of collection.
• Performed testing and quality control using approved laboratory procedures and instrumentation.
• Operated the Panther Fusion System for qualitative detection of RNA from SARS-CoV-2 swab samples.
• Demonstrated the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and collaboratively across different departments when transporting and receiving specimens/samples.

• Participated in the 'Soil Microbial Project', which involved preparing and analysing soil samples collected from palm oil plantations.
• Facilitated the cultivation, maintenance, and genetic analysis of isolated bacteria, yeast, fungi, and actinobacteria.
• Successfully isolated approximately 30 new strains by the end of the project duration.