Niki Tashvighi

• Managing and coordinating the MothersBabies Study, interact with healthcare professionals and engage with pre-conception women, pregnant women, and newborns within designated NSW Local Health Districts
• Collecting unique knowledge about each pregnancy and how the microbiome status impacts various outcomes, by analyzing a woman's microbiome prior to pregnancy, at each trimester, at time of delivery and for at least 5 years post-birth
• Recruiting patients and managing Trials for both face-to-face and online visits
• Guiding multiple participants and research staff through structured study schedules
• Controlled clinical research protocols while maintaining compliance with federal, clinical and local regulatory agencies and GCP standards and assuring safety and wellbeing of all study participants.
• Drafting research literature reviews as required by the study team
• Maintaining accurate and comprehensive records of research data and confidentiality
• Organizing and facilitated investigator and coordinator meetings, conferences and events associated with research activities
• Skilled in using Redcap database to update/add data for research studies and creating surveys
• Undertaking physical examination of research participants and collecting human biospecimens as per research protocols

Achievements:

• Successfully trained students and new employees on recruitment and data entry processes in compliance with the MothersBabies study protocol
• Increased participant blood sample numbers due to venipuncture training and provided training to professional staff
• Completed mental health training course to gain clinical experience in screening and managing vulnerable patient groups
• Developed presentation skills by giving scientific presentations to mixed audiences, including clinicians and academics
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including medical professionals, research assistants, and statisticians, to achieve project objectives
• Initiated and led a student mentoring program, providing a safe space for PhD and honor students to discuss concerns and to give effective feedback

• I worked on several studies to deliver world-class research on the microbiome in human health
• Mainly worked as part of two observational studies, the Mothersbabies Study and the HOAM (Healthy Optimal Australian Microbiome) study
• Collected and processed lab specimens from participants
• Maintained patient data in Redcap Database with a strong focus on accuracy and following informed consent processes
• Attended weekly lab meetings, study training, and education sessions to boost skill sets around icrobiome research, taking minutes, and giving pertinent updates to the project manager
• Attended Conferences and symposiums to improve overall knowledge and understanding
• Worked closely with project teams including internal and external collaborators throughout all phases of the studies
• Participated in research projects by designing and executing experiments.
• Maintained up-to-date records of research activities and results for future reference.
• Assisted team members with ongoing lab projects including PCR, DNA and protein purification, various biochemical assays, Western Blots and Cell cultures

Achievements:

• Successfully completed ICH-GCP Investigator Site Personnel Training
• Gained in-depth understanding of the study protocols
• Developed new protocols and improved existing laboratory processes.
• Successfully handled and analyzed more than 100 samples during my probationary period
• Trained and supervised students and junior research staff to ensure proper lab etiquette and guidelines are followed to keep the lab space operating efficiently

• Collected blood, urine, and swab samples from young children to senior patients within collection rooms, nursing houses, and hospitals for lab tests in accordance with laboratory protocols and regulations
• Explained procedures to patients with the highest standards of customer service and attitude
• Positively identified patients and updated lab software to enter patient information
• Participated in continuing education programs to stay up to date on new technologies and procedures
• Collected and labeled +150 blood and other samples as per lab procedure per week
• Labeled transfer tubes and followed exact directions for handling and storing specimens for transport
• Performed centrifuge and aliquoting procedures
• Monitored supply levels and placed orders for laboratory supplies
• Performed ECG screening, Holter, and Blood pressure monitoring(24hrs)
• Completed proper sanitation and cleaning of equipment and work areas between patients.

Achievements:

• Assisted in training and onboarding new phlebotomists
• Maintained 100% documentation accuracy
• Established good patient relationships which led to the attraction of more regular patients
• Developed and implemented strategies to improve phlebotomy processes

• Responsible for diagnosing infections through DNA/RNA sequencing, gene cloning, cell culture, and other diagnostic processes
• Promoted to Lab Head's Assistant after 6 months
• Experience with complex computer systems and laboratory equipment such as spectrophotometers and antibiotics classification

• Conducted urinalysis, microbiology, and blood biochemistry tests to identify the causes of diseases
• Prepared cell culture media and subcultures and successfully used bright field microscopy
• Analyzed cultures using molecular-based and biochemical techniques