Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Nirmala Attygalla

Garfield,Australia

Summary

High performing degree qualified Senior Laboratory Technician with over ten years’ experience in science laboratories (NATA accredited) complemented with in-depth knowledge of laboratory setting and strong understanding of OHS and safety procedures in Science Laboratory environments. In addition, an enthusiastic, supportive and knowledgeable Laboratory Technician who provided support to a broad range of practical teaching programs in Science Laboratories in classroom environments to facilitate a quality educational experience and student’s successful completion of all learning objectives in order to enable the institution to achieve its Vision and Mission.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Laboratory Technician (Radiochemistry)

SGS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
07.2015 - Current
  • Strong understanding of adhering to all aspects of laboratory practice and safety procedures (USEPA, APHA, GLP, OH&S, PPE)
  • Comprehensive sample management throughout each stage in the Radio-Analytical Laboratory (NATA accredited)
  • Sample receipt including issuing sample receipt acknowledgements to clients, deciding and allocating the most suitable radio-analytical technique
  • Sub sampling (soils, sediments, sludges, minerals, water (drinking, waste, ground), food, air-born dust, plant materials (leaves, barks, roots, stems, fruits)
  • Radiochemical preparation of a wide range of samples including soils, sediments, sludges, water, vegetation, food, air-born dust and different types of wipes (defence saps and cotton buds)
  • Analytical Report preparation and issuing Certificate of Analysis
  • Providing necessary information for client inquiries regarding radiochemical analysis
  • Sample dispatch both locally and internationally
  • Preparing standard solutions, reagents and buffers, labelling/storage of chemicals in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, rules and regulations (SDS/MSDS)
  • Performing calibration of analytical equipment and maintaining/ordering stock of chemicals, consumables, Stocktaking
  • Operating laboratory documentation systems - Resource Inventories, Hazardous Substances Register and Risk Assessments, Laboratory log books, SDS/MSDS
  • Training new staff in laboratory safety procedures, testing procedures, and laboratory operational procedures
  • Supervising and coordinating the work of other lab technicians
  • Maintaining safe workplace practices and general housekeeping

Laboratory Technician (Part time) and PhD candidate

Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC - NATA accredited)
03.2009 - 05.2015
  • Sample preparation (soil/sediment/water/leachate samples) and quantitatively analysing for physical and chemical properties according to USEPA, APHA, GLP, and SOP
  • -Percent moisture content - gravimetrically using an analytical oven
  • -Water holding capacity gravimetrically
  • -Bulk density using the core method
  • -Particle size analysis using a Hydrometer and a Particle Size Analyser
  • -Organic matter content using a muffle furnace and an analytical oven
  • -pH using a pH electrode
  • -Soluble reactive P speciation by sequential extraction according to the SEDEX scheme followed by the colorimetric analysis using UV/Vis at 880 nm in 2.5 cm quartz cuvettes
  • -Total P after NaOH-K2S2O8 digestion
  • -Metals (Iron, Aluminium, Manganese) using AAS
  • Processing and interpreting data using complex analytical equations and performing statistical analyses using SPSS version 21, PRIMER v6, and KaleidaGraph (USA)

Laboratory Technician / Tutorial staff

Thaxila Central College (Secondary School)
07.2006 - 07.2007
  • Ensuring all aspects of laboratory work/practice and safety procedures performed in accordance with hazardous chemical regulations, other relevant regulations and the information outlined in the Material Safety Data Sheets and Risk Assessment (USEPA, APHA, GLP, OH&S, PPE, SDS/MSDS)
  • Preparing specimens, stock and standard solutions, solvents and buffer solutions
  • Testing of apparatus ensuring they function successfully as required by the teaching staff
  • Communicating with the head of department, coordinating maintenance schedules and ensuring timely repairs
  • Consulting with teaching staff to clarify laboratory experiments/demonstrations ensuring both student engagement and safety
  • Setting up equipment and experiments for practical classes and dismantling practical at the conclusion of the class
  • Ensuring all equipment is cleaned, sterilised and maintained
  • Administering first aid treatment for minor laboratory injuries
  • Maintaining sufficient stock of equipment and chemicals
  • Responsibility for the maintenance and cleanliness of the Science Laboratory and general housekeeping
  • Maintaining up to date laboratory documentation systems - Resource Inventories, Hazardous Substances Register, Risk Assessments and Material Safety Data Sheets
  • Identifying, reporting and, if appropriate, solving problems in laboratory procedure
  • Conducting Advanced Level Science classes (Chemistry) including tutorial classes as required

Laboratory Demonstrator

Department of Chemistry, Faculty Of Science, University of Peradeniya
05.2001 - 09.2005
  • Ensuring all aspects of laboratory work/practice and safety procedures performed in accordance with hazardous chemical regulations, other relevant regulations and the information outlined in the Material Safety Data Sheets and Risk Assessment (USEPA, APHA, GLP, OH&S, PPE, SDS/MSDS)
  • Demonstrating the proper use of laboratory practical equipment
  • Explaining the concepts fundamental to successfully completing the session
  • Conducting laboratory demonstrations and answering questions related to those experiments
  • Being sensitive to students who were struggling by offering guidance and encouragement
  • Providing feedback on student performance and any issues arising in the course of the demonstration to the work supervisor
  • Explaining the details of clean-up procedure including disposal of any harmful chemicals
  • Maintain student attendance records

Education

Doctor of Philosophy -

Latrobe University
Wodonga, VIC

Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Chemistry

University of Peradeniya

Skills

  • Proficient in all aspects of laboratory practice and safety procedures in a NATA accredited laboratory environment (USEPA, APHA, GLP, OH&S, PPE)
  • Strong understanding of safe handling, labelling, storage and disposal of hazardous/toxic chemicals in accordance with hazardous chemical regulations and manufacturer's instructions, rules and regulations (SDS/MSDS)
  • Advanced skills in routine calibration and maintaining laboratory equipment, Setting up laboratory demonstrations/experiments as required by the teaching staff
  • Hands-on-experience with preparing specimens, solvents, standards, buffers and media for laboratory use
  • Proficient in maintaining high standard of cleanliness and hygiene within the laboratory and general housekeeping
  • Hands-on-experience with stock-taking, ordering and maintaining sufficient stock of consumable items/chemicals
  • Regular monitoring of lab equipment to identify any equipment malfunctions ensuring the proper functioning of science laboratory
  • Strong understanding of preparing, maintaining and updating laboratory documentation systems - Resource Inventories, Hazardous Substances Register and Risk Assessments, SDS/MSDS
  • Ability to multitask and high attention to detail
  • Excellent teamwork and communication skills
  • Strong organisational and time management skills
  • Ability to manage multiple and conflicting demands
  • Computer skills (Microsoft Office Word, Excel-spreadsheets, Power Point)

Timeline

Senior Laboratory Technician (Radiochemistry)

SGS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
07.2015 - Current

Laboratory Technician (Part time) and PhD candidate

Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC - NATA accredited)
03.2009 - 05.2015

Laboratory Technician / Tutorial staff

Thaxila Central College (Secondary School)
07.2006 - 07.2007

Laboratory Demonstrator

Department of Chemistry, Faculty Of Science, University of Peradeniya
05.2001 - 09.2005

Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Chemistry

University of Peradeniya

Doctor of Philosophy -

Latrobe University

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Nirmala Attygalla