Thavaraja Thavakumaran
Enmore
Summary
I am currently a technical assistant at St Vincent’s Pathology in Darlinghurst, Sydney, having commenced that role in August 2022. I have Master of Science at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) in Medical Biotechnology and completed a Bachelor of Science (Molecular Biology and Biochemistry) from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. I have a profound interest in medical research, with an emphasis on oncology, immunotherapy and diagnostics. I am an asylum seeker, having been impacted significantly by the civil conflict in Sri Lanka. My current visa permits me to work full time and has no expiry date. My experiences in Sri Lanka motivates me to make the most of available opportunities, and I hope to bring this work ethic to your organisation. Proactive and goal-oriented professional with excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Volunteering Laboratory Technician (Training) - Cancer Genetics
Sydpath (St.Vincent’s Pathology)
01.2024 - Current
- Extraction of DNA/RNA from solid tumor specimens
- Programming and operating NGS analyser
- Setting up reaction panel for NGS
- Analysing and Interpreting NGS data and reporting
- Data entry
Laboratory Assistant
Sydpath (St.Vincent’s Pathology)
08.2022 - Current
- Receiving and processing specimens and requests following procedures
- Entering request forms, specimen, and patient information into laboratory information system
- Verifying pathology request forms and specimen documentation for proper labelling as per organization and regulatory standards
- Evaluating specimen suitability for requested tests by referring to laboratory directories or manuals
- Centrifuging, aliquoting and Storing samples according to test requirements and organization procedures
- Distribution of specimens to relevant testing laboratories
- Perform equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, general laboratory duties and administrative tasks as directed
- Manage enquiries, concerns or issues raised by Laboratory Services staff or external stakeholders, escalating them as required
Technical Officer
Medlab Pathology (ACL)
02.2022 - 06.2022
- Sample preparation and handling while adhering to aseptic techniques
- Operating and troubleshooting equipment in automated sample shorting, storing, and aliquoting
- Operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting of analysers including Architect and Alinity biochemical analysers
- Monitoring the results & errors and troubleshooting throughout the analysis
- Using LIS in troubleshooting laboratory activities, storing, and finding the specimen
- Maintaining storage of samples and reagents
- Tracking and completing overdue assays
Laboratory Assistant, Molecular Biology-Covid Response
ACL
10.2021 - 02.2022
- Sample reception and data entry using laboratory information system (LIS)
- Sample preparation and handling, adhering to proper labelling and aseptic techniques
- Following safe laboratory practices such as wearing PPE and safe handling of infectious specimens
- Operation and maintenance of PCR analyser
- Inspection of post analysis results
- Handling specimen storage within LIS and physical storage locations
Team Leader
NBN Service Partner
07.2018 - 01.2020
- Liaise with stakeholders to obtain relevant pre-start documents/permits for work sites
- Interacting with the customer and obtaining appropriate permission for proposed work
- Preparing the site for work and ensuring worksite safety checks are complete before the commencement of work
- Communicating with the supervisors from key stakeholders of the project
- Document completed work
Quality Control Executive (microbiology)
Navesta Pharmaceuticals
06.2017 - 07.2018
- Collection of pre-production, post-production, and in-process samples for quality testing
- Sterility testing on antibiotic products using membrane filtration method
- Performing microbial limit test end bacterial endotoxin test on antibiotic products and water samples
- Preparing culture media and working culture of microbes
- Plate reading
- Performing routine lab equipment calibration and functionality checks to ensure accuracy
- Involving in validation activities
- Responsible for following GDP and GMP procedures
- Quality assurance and documentation
- Environmental monitoring in the aseptic area (active air sampling, passive monitoring, and surface monitoring)
- Personal monitoring for sterile gowning procedure and training personals
- Microbial identification (ViteK 2 compact)
- Gram staining
Molecular Biology Assistant (Internship)
Dardans Hospital
02.2017 - 05.2017
- Receiving and processing specimens for analysis
- Entering request forms, specimen, and patient information into laboratory information system
- Performing equipment maintenance, preparation of reagents and media, general laboratory duties and administrative tasks
- Participating on training and performing PCR analysis, karyotyping and preparation of specimens for genetic sequencing under supervision
Education
Master of Science - Medical Biotechnology
University of Technology Sydney
12.2020
Bachelor of Science - Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
University of Colombo
01.2017
Skills
- Molecular biology techniques
- DNA and RNA extraction
- Laboratory safety protocols
- PCR techniques
- NGS
- Bioinformatics
- Microbiology techniques
- Microscopy techniques
- Biochemical assays
- Specimen processing
- Lab equipment maintenance
- Scientific communication
- Laboratory information system
- Pathology
- Medical laboratory procedures
- Data analysis
- Quality control procedures
- Microsoft office suite
Certification
Investigator & Site Personnel Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP) Training Course, Genesis Research Services, 05/01/21, The course covered: principles of good clinical practice, an overview of the Australian regulatory environment, the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved.
Languages
English
Professional Working
Tamil
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Volunteering Laboratory Technician (Training) - Cancer Genetics
Sydpath (St.Vincent’s Pathology)
01.2024 - Current
Laboratory Assistant
Sydpath (St.Vincent’s Pathology)
08.2022 - Current
Technical Officer
Medlab Pathology (ACL)
02.2022 - 06.2022
Laboratory Assistant, Molecular Biology-Covid Response
ACL
10.2021 - 02.2022
Team Leader
NBN Service Partner
07.2018 - 01.2020
Quality Control Executive (microbiology)
Navesta Pharmaceuticals
06.2017 - 07.2018
Molecular Biology Assistant (Internship)
Dardans Hospital
02.2017 - 05.2017
Bachelor of Science - Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
University of Colombo
Master of Science - Medical Biotechnology
University of Technology Sydney
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